Whatcomboy

Snow? There is still plenty on the N to NE slopes.

Trip: Hidden Lake Peak - Date: 9/4/2011 Trip Report: Nothing gnarly to report here, went up to Hidden Lake Peak with the daughter to scramble up to the lookout. Go up the north side for short but fun 3rd. class scramble on good rock with some exposure to keep it interesting. Good place to take a newby for some easy climbing on grippy rock. Sweet lookout that would be a fun place to ride out a storm in. We traversed across the ridge to the higher point of the peak. Views did not dissapoint.

Great story. Are those Wiley X glasses?

The Pics! Still laughing at the marmot/Don photo.

Nice going. Tell your Pop he's not getting older, he's getting better.

Nice job. There is no b in Whatcom.

Trip: Ptarmigan Traverse - Date: 8/1/2011 Trip Report: I was looking forward to this trip for a long time and with a perfect weather forcast Norman and I left B-ham at 5am on Monday and dumped a car 12 miles up Suiattle River road at the barricade and sped over to start at Cascade Pass trailhead by 10. We hit solid snow shortly after the Pass and got to Kool-Aid lake for our first night where we met another party of 3. There were a few patches of dry ground for tent sites. Drinking coffee next morning we watched a black bear 300 yards below us traversing steep heather and snow at a full run like it was nothing. The next day it was easy crossing over Red Ledges and up the Middle Cascade glacier with the bergschrund starting to open up with a fat bridge to cross. Formidable-Spider Col was a short downclimb after which we traversed over to climb Mt. Formidable. We dumped packs and headed up several hundred feet of very steep snow and got to a notch where we discovered our mistake of not traversing over far enough to begin. We were on a little sub peak of the massive Formidable and couldn't get to the base from where we were. Disappointed, we turned around and headed for the ridge and dropped to Yang-Yang lakes where again we found nice dry camping. Yang-Yang Lakes camp Day 3 we left camp early and missed the trail for the ridge crossing and ascended steep hard snow and met up with Fred's team from Kool-Aid and another group of 3 guys who we would play tag with for the next day. The route was blocked so the other groups went way down to cross over to get to the traverse of La Conte but we took 2 short pitches of 4th class rock and found ourselves on the ridge and a boot path all the way to La Conte mountain. Looking north to Mt. Formidable from La Conte glacier Arriving at the Col at 7200 ft. we dumped packs again and climbed Old Guard Peak. The bottom is loose with an easy scramble to the top. A short rap thru a moat got us down and we raced across the huge and flat South Cascade glacier to get to lovely White Rock Lakes at dusk. Old Guard Peak Old Guys on Old Guard Sentinel Peak Glacier Peak in distance Day 4 we watched Fred's group traverse over to the Dana Glacier headed for Dome Peak. Dome had been on our list but time was running out so we headed up the glacier and arrived at the base of Spire Point. The moat was melted out where we wanted to get on the rock so we bailed and headed up and over the Col, racing past Cub Lake and made camp on the other side where the next morning we met Eric and his wife who had just summited Dome. He drew us a map for an easy exit of Bachelor creek that was greatly appreciated. Day 5 made it to Downey creek camp at the road for a riproaring fire and back to the car by 9am after the 9 mile road hike. This was a fantastic area to travel in with tremendous climbing. My hat off to you guys who ski it in a day, run it in a day, or take several days and climb many peaks. I'm going back for more. Dome Peak from White Rock lakes Gear Notes: 30m. rope, a few nuts, slings

8:14 roundtrip? Your from another planet.

I should know this but how far up Suiattle road #26 can I get for a car drop to exit Ptarmigan Traverse at Downey Creek?

I liked the helmet video. Thanks for leaving out the annoying music.

Nice. That is a great little climb in a beautiful place.

Nice going and great tr. It took us 3 trips to finally summit Challenger last year and worth it.

Fantastic. The summit pic says it all.

Yea the goats were fun to watch. I wanted to bring the baby home with me.

Trip: Liberty Bell - Beckey Route Date: 7/4/2011 Trip Report: We climbed Liberty Bell on Monday in sunny weather. Been wanting to climb this beauty for some time now. Trail is snow all the way and the steep gully was hard packed snow in the morning where the ice ax came in handy. There was a couple of parties on the rock when we got there. Four of us so we split into two and enjoyed solid rock that takes pro real well. Got a bit off route on pitch #3 that added to the fun. The summit is big and roomy for lounging on and mountain gazing. Down climbing to the short slab lets you walk to a big ledge for rap chains. 2 raps gets you down to the top of the gully. Only bad part was Good Food closed early for the 4th.(so did everybody else). Liberty Bell Group Pitch #3 slab Father/Son climbing duo Goats sliding down gully Gear Notes: Small rack up to #3 cam 60m. rope needed for 2nd. rap

Question for those who have climbed North Ridge route at Baker. How long are the ice pitches? Is a single 60m. doable for a team of three or bring another rope? Two ice tools necesary for the follower?

Now that's a sandwich!

We did the same trip a few years back. Pushing the bike is a drag but coming down sure works. Like to go back and climb South Sister.

Eldorado is a fun climb. Like the summit ridge pic.

What's next? An expresso stand?

Good choice. That's a fun climb.

Ya know, your probably right. And I appreciate all the benefits I get from my employer. Just sounded like a funny subject. Think I'll go back to the climbing forum.

Sheesh...offer to give a bloke some work and get read the riot act.

Yea there are a bunch out there. Just wondering what others folks have used and liked.

Who makes a lightweight gaiter for summertime climbs when I just need em for some short periods? My OR's are too big and heavy for some trips.