dkemp

naw, you must be smokin'. Wake & Bake, baby, nuthin' wrong with that.

Well, almost... We got to about 9,900 and were stopped by the bergschrund - sugar snow over multiple, intersecting blue gapers. Fred says to go before August and we knew that but we tried it anyway. And we had a good ol' time trying. Friday we entered via Artist Point/Ptarmigan Ridge. We did not traverse Rainbow Gl per Becky and N/P, though. Looking at the map we decided to go north of the Portals on Sholes Gl to 'Glacier Saddle' at 6500' - this route goes readily. Camp at Glacier Saddle, or actually the rock ledge above, is mighty fine - even a little creek so we didnt have to melt snow for water. Wowsa - big views of the Park. The Park goes straight up, then around to the left, then right on up to the 'schrund. A bunch of crevasses - lots of end-runs and step-overs, but it goes fine. We poked at the 'schrund, tried this way and that, shook our fist at it, then turned around. We had performed a car-shuttle so we could cover more ground. Sunday we hiked across Mazama Glacier and up to Hadley Peak, then scrambled Chowder Ridge and hiked out Skyline Divide Trail to cars. Great group, nice route - good times! -Dox

We were under the railroad trestle at Index, right near the put-in for the Skykomish River, putting on rafting drysuits and pfd's - van pulls up, window rolls down - "you guys climbin'?" "yeah, we're climbin'."

Couple years ago I was on the football field at the top of Baker, and these guys started unfurling parapentes, saying they were gonna fly to Baker Lake. Under my breath I scoffed they would never make Baker Lake. On the descent we took a water break at the bottom of the Roman Wall and I saw them flying over - way way up there - obviously and easily on their way to the lake. My skydiving days are over, but my instructor from those days of old is interested in exactly this. He wants to do scramble type climbs with a flight over wilderness areas. I suggested south ridge of Maude with landing in Spider Meadow. -Dox

Go Punchie, its your birthday, you can do it, go crazy...

Congrats on your summit - thats a big hill. -Dox

Well, I guess its a tentpole. Its a collapsible tent pole with a regular end on it that would go into a grommet but the other end has a rubber, uh, bulb-end. Two sections of the pole are orange, other sections are yellow. Found in Eldorado Basin on July 18. -Dox

Okay, here's a better effort: Log crossing is comfortable, better than I imagined. Hiked up to Eldorado Basin, passed a party of nine Mounties on their way down. Eldorado Basin is still snow filled – we made a fine snowcamp but its melting fast. Had it to ourselves Thursday night. Took a rest day, slept about fifteen hours, and then dayhiked to Point 7252 – a very nice scramble summit with big views of the Eldo route and the surrounding neighborhood – recommended! Ran into only two other parties on the climb, both friendly – a party of two and a party of three - all made the true summit. A few cracks on the route but no puzzles to work. Set a few pickets on the summit ridge, otherwise a piece o’ cake. Indeed a fine summit - 360 views, not a cloud, we were the last on the route so we had the place to ourselves. As expected, lots of folks showed up on Saturday afternoon. BTW, rangers Dan and Dan were checking for permits and bluebags in Eldorado Basin. On the way home don’t miss the milkshakes at Cascadian Farms near Rockport – yay! -Dox

wow, impressive Dale. On same morning we were atop Eldo looking at Buckner - we were thinking about you. Good to run into you at the M'mount RS. Congrats on your summit. -Dox

We clumb it. -Dox

Dude, found yer camera! still works - hope you dont mind we've been havin' a bit of fun with the last photos on that roll. Spent a few minutes looking - didnt see it at first. Teammate Mike had binoculars so we scanned the snow below the gulley - "hey, that rock sure is square. Hmmm..." Just sittin' there a hundred yards downslope on the snow. I'll shoot you an email. -Dox

yer breakin' my heart here. -Dox

I'm going in there tomorrow. On Friday we should be doing the climb - we'll have a look-see. -Dox

Was stopped a few years ago by a big ol' crack that went clear all the way across the ice. Last year I hiked up Frostbite Ridge and looked down on KG all day and boy it looked good. I'm going in a couple weeks - perhaps I'll see you there. -Dox

Boy, Alaska opened up a can of whupass on us! Got a good look at Mt Brooks and we're all inspired to give it another go, had a good ol' time and all. Didn't climb a damn thing. Crashed and burned in the McK River crossing. Superficial wounds to knees and egos. Tried to go around by hiking up the Muldrow - that scree and talus is an effective barrier - no wonder the Sourdoughs kept looking until they found McGonagall Pass. Saw some beautiful ice mountains and covered some tough ground. We had a great team - kept our humor and enjoyed the outing no matter what. And "no matter what" is exactly what happened! Alaska kicks more ass by breakfast than most states kick all day! -Dox

My team and I leave for Mt Brooks in the morning! It will take a few days to get into position, including fording the McK River and hiking to McGonagall Pass. Our summit bid should be next weekend. We also hope to camp atop Pt 9240. For a view of the hill and the obvious ridge route, click here: http://www.dongettyphoto.com/alaska/mtbrooks.html Mt Brooks! -Dox

Hmmm, I think the catwalk would go with snow but I wouldn't take a newbie - too hairball. I also went in September a few years ago. The catwalk is exposed but not that bad - and I'm a real chicken. However, with snow? I'd do it with snow but I'm not a newbie. If you have a newbie on board then I suggest you do the seven lakes basin loop with a summit of Bogachiel Peak. That would be top of the world stuff. Its no gimme, though. It will be quite a strenuous hike this time of year. But boy, it would be beautiful and quite an accomplishment. Anyway, my two cents. -Dox

Hey UT, if you float the Tlikakila pick up my ice axe for me, would ya? -Dox

We clambered up icy last august. at that time, of course, the glacier was hard but not icy - accepted crampons nicely. The final summit was scary to me - fourth class rocky gully thing - you'd get hurt real bad if you took a spill. Two of my pals scampered up it without using rope. I balked so they tossed me a line and hauled my sorry ass up it.

Hey Lis! Nice TR. Hope to visit the mtns with you and Shasta again. -Dox

Take yer Chicago buddy - great place. Hmmm, forgot about road access. I've been to that trailhead as early as April. I'd bet dollars to doughnuts its open already. But yeah, call Sedro Wooley R.S. first - 360.856.5700 or Glacier R.S. - 360.599.2714. I just called cause I was curious. Sedro Wooley said that the last road report said tree blocks road 2 miles from trailhead. I bet they clear it out soon though.

Perfect destination for beginner - not much hazard, not terribly strenuous, and wow - stupendous views in good weather. The approach hike is a south facing slope the whole way so its hot - you've been warned. Plus, note the avalanche gullies - we're probably past the season for hazard there but don't tarry in crossing. I say take the rope. Lots of people do this unroped and I cant criticize them for it, in fact you'll see people tele-skiing and boarding it when you go. Its a small glacier and not terribly active. However, last autumn I was there and was impressed by the cracks - more and bigger than I remembered in the past. If you go on a weekend warn her that there will be other people in there, 'cause there will be. One last tip - dont miss dinner at Milano's in Glacier on the drive out - no matter what else happens she'll enjoy that portion of the outing. -Dox

Yep, Crosson is the popular approach to Sultana Ridge. Fee required, perhaps not enforced, for Foraker but not for Crosson or Kahiltna Dome.

Well, technically it wouldn't compare to anything on Hunter... but I've often wanted to hump it up Crosson, then travel the ridge to Kahiltna Dome, come down the upper Kahiltna from there to make a loop. I think that it would be some mighty fine hill-walkin'.

Good point - thanky kindly. -Dox