olyclimber

Wow you must have had some nice glass on the camera. Great pics and great trip!

That is crazy!

Trip: Chikamin Peak - Dog Route Trip Date: 09/05/2022 Trip Report: Me and fuzznut climbed Chikamin Peak yesterday via the Mineral Creek trail. We camped at the trailhead (busy as you can imagine being the holiday weekend). This approach to Chikamin also uses a little bit of the PCT, and at this time of year the people who will complete the whole thing are coming through, so saw a number of them including a woman with norovirus who was going to take a break from the trail too recover and then hoped to finish it....I guess there was a norovirus outbreak at one particular location on the trail. It is a really beautiful area back in there, especially when you get off the PCT and go over that little pass....all the mountains and lakes. Spectacle, Stuart, Glacier, Pete, Lemah, Chimney, Big and Little Chief, Hinman, Bears Breast, Daniel, etc. There were two cruxes for us, one down low by Glacier Lake when you go past that dramatic boulder that is stuck on end. The boulder field there has big rocks, and one of them I had to lift Kiba up so he could make it, but he cruised the rest, leaping from boulder to boulder. Then up on the third class section near the top of Chikamin I had to lift him again to get past the one step. Our time on the summit was in a swirl of clouds with views that came and went quickly. Shortly after we left it totally cleared off to a bluebird day. Up high the views were even better, that is a great summit up there. My GPS watch said 17.5 miles and 5.5k elevation for the day, but @JasonG tried to tell me it wasn't all that. I definitely wasn't feeling challenged on the way up after all my Olympic Mountain fishing trail hikes this summer, but man my legs are sore this morning! Kiba fell asleep almost immediately after getting into the truck, don't think I've ever seen him so tired. Photo dump, a few out of order: Gear Notes: trail running pack, cordelette and full harness to lower the dog (didn't use) Approach Notes: via Mineral Creek....wow what a job they did brushing that out! You could drive a Mack truck on it.

You’re having a great summer Jon! Congratulations on another great trip.

The TX4s are on sale right now at REI, so I'll give them a rip! Thank you.

I saw a group of guys loaded up with huge packs and rifles at the Tubal Cain trailhead. Can’t imagine them actually coming across any wildlife with all the people in that vicinity. I’ve tried bear it isn’t for me. Give me moose meat any day. Venison (the back strap) after that.

Was it Leonard Skinard?

Wondering if you guys have a preferred approach shoe. I know a lot of people just use running shoes and that is what I've used mostly, primarily the Brooks Cascadia trail running shoes, of which I've used since they came out...though I stopped for a while because it seemed like they got narrow for a couple of years (I don't know if they actually did, but I didn't like the way they felt when I tried them on). So I've been using those quite a bit, but man I pack them out quick. The ones I'm currently running (current year model) felt super packed out after a 15 mile day in the hills, and I don't think I had more than 400 miles into them. I know the life on running shoes it probably shorter than I want it to be. I switched to the Arcteryx Konseal FL approach shoes and I mostly like them, but even they are starting to seem a little packed out...or maybe I wish they had a shank. I used some Superfeet inserts and those stiffened them up a little, but still wish they had a shank...the bones in my feet were sore at the and of the day after 15-20 miles. My last outing in the hills with these and my feet felt no different than if I had used the Cascadias. I know it probably has to do with that I'm a lard ass (205 right now and dropping), but I just wish I could find the perfect light weight but burley shoes that maybe had a shank or at least better support/cushion. Maybe I need to try out the La Sportivas. I could also go back to just using mountaineering boots, but I sure like have lighter shoes for days when I'm covering more ground without glacier travel.

this is a steal at this price if you need a copy, don't wait.

OK the shower is in at the folks. So...next week? Mid-week? We could either brown bag it as Rad mentions or if anyone knows a good place with spacious outdoor seating, that would probably work too. All are welcome....I guess, unless you're not of the age to make it into an establishment if thats what we do.

bellissimo!

You'd probably want to get an early start with that link up.

Its an old road up to Granite Lakes. Lots of traffic up to there...don't know past Thompson lake, but I bet its pretty good. What appealed to me...you can C2C it.

damn. that is a worthy route name!

That’s a nice one, will have to give it a go sometime

I assume he would need a ouija board to do that?

BTW the “approach notes” are mandatory but you can be as creative as you want with that section. We need to look at making that optional.

Well now we are forever linked by this night under the stars. That is a very nice looking bivy spot.

I visited it about 22 years ago but I didn’t event notice the larger wreckage 😂. I just saw the couple pieces on the main trail and figured that was it. Also the trees are a lot bigger after 22 years! Apparently they grow and stuff.

Normally don’t allow “spam”, but this is kinda relevant and not some megacorp nor does it seem scammy…

out at my parents I find this guide from my youth that confuses the 1952 crash of a B-17 in Tull Canyon I mention above where most survive another earlier crash on Mt Constance in 1941 where all 6 perished (not the 70s crash of the C141 which my dad remembers occurring). But still this guide was the ticket to my formative years for sure! https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/76515

For sure...same. Knock on wood. Definitely outdoors. Also I'll buy you a beer if you can figure out how to get Jason down here too.

Who would brave a public appearance for this?

Old and slow? That's in my wheelhouse. I like the "who wore it better" between you and the goat on stacks of rocks!

Any interest in a Seattle area pub club? I gotta go out and remodel my parents bathroom...tile in a shower and stuff. But when I come back maybe in the next couple weeks. Not a big deal...just meet up and have a few brews. Like the olden days. Maybe I can talk @jon in coming down for it.