Josh Lewis

Agreed! Very well said! Yup, it was fun to write. I wish you could have been there, perhaps one of these days well meet up. You know I might just have to take you up on that offer some day. Let me know when your avalible and we can arrange something. Thanks Collin for the video. Nice! I thought about the normal route, but the north side sounded so muhc funner, I'm glad we stuck with the north route. Reminds me of something someone once told me: "Hiking without permission, of all things. Why can't he do drugs or steal cars like normal kids his age?" I believe we will be, next weekend we already got plans for another trip! Thanks Tazz, if I had partners all along, I would not have done half of the crazy things I did last year ;-) That ridge seemed difficult to find in the fog, that summit shot I posted was as it cleared up a little as we start for the decent. Collin as for the photos great job! I suggest rotating some for the future Sorry to hear, is something wrong with your memory card? Did you get it wet?

Trip: McClellan Butte - North Face Date: 1/31/2010 Trip Report: This was an awesome adventure that will keep me satisfied for a while, until next weekend. It all started when Stewie from Cascadeclimbers.com was looking for partners, my friend Mark was interested in joining him on a trip. They decided on McClellan Butte. It so happend I caught on the conversation, and soon enough I joined the trip. Another member from cc named Marc came up with a great idea and created a group called "Teen Climbers in the PNW" (Pacific Northwest) which we rounded up members to join for this trip. The standard route sounded fine and dandy exept Mark got recommended for the North side by someone, turns out it was a good idea. The participants of this trip were Me, Mark, Stewie, and RokIzGud. The trip took place January 31, 2010. I woke up a 6 in the morning and could hardly wait for Stewie to arrive at my house, this would be my first snow climb in a long time. We met up and Stewie drove us to the trailhead to meet up with Collin or know as RokIzGud. The trail going up started out fairly easy, and I was impressed that the group paced them selfs pretty good, I was worried I would be the slow one. It was a foggy day, but atleast it was not pouring down rain, when looking at the foggy mountains it did not look like there was much snow. As we hike up the trail we finally decide to go off so that we catch the gully or Couloir. There was a little bush wacking involved on light snow, but after a while we find the trail. We find out that the trail is going away from our route so we head back and west, soon we find the Couloir. It was a rather interesting place on the mountain, there was snow balls all around, when snow conditions are bad this would be a major avalanche zone, but we made sure avalanche danger was low. As we head up we had to put on our crampons because of ice or as Mark calls it Snice, a combination of snow and ice. It was interesting how it seemed like the snow changed in one foot from snow to ice. At this point we also put on our helmets because of falling snow, when I looked up once I had snow hit me and it hurts a little bit, so a helmet was very nice to have. As we kept going up the steep snow slope the feeling of the mountain became very alive in me, it almost felt like I was not me, and like I was some guy from some story heading up a misty mountain. But now I was living the adventure. Many folks my age would not be going out doing this, climbing mountains, especially in foggy weather, but thats there loss. The slope felt so constant, in a good way, as we took a rest we could look over to the side and see much snow constantly falling because it was melting out of the trees, but looked rather interesting because at one point it was like a river of snow traveling down hill. As we got higher we finally reach a part that appears to be the summit block. At the summit block we attempt to find a way around it, no luck, just steep and dangerous sections, so what appeared to be the only way was going up the summit block which looked atleast class 4 with snow and ice. We got out our harnesses and snow pickets to set up for a belay. Mark went up first, but later did not like the feel of it, and went down. Stewie gave it a try, did not like that route. As they were getting ready for the resetting up of the route I had to remove a locking carribeaner and I tell you with really cold hands and when they are jammed they are just super difficult to remove. Collin helped me unlock it which he found out was also jammed, and then we waited for a while enjoying the mountain atmosphere with all the mist, snow, and slope around. It sure beat being at home, infact it was better than most summit hikes. Mark Leading the Way They got about 50 feet from the summit but it was unprotectable rock so they decided to make the right choice and turn around. They said they could have done it, but would have been unsafe, I am glad they were responsible. I was around 100 feet from the summit, to me it's kinda funny how a lot of times I end up just short of the summit. :embarassedlaugh: On the way down we looked for one more possible way which we just could not find. We had some snacks and then got ready for the decent. It was amazing how much snow goes down, the "snow river" as I call it because snow was going down a lot, created what looked like a glassade trail, if it were not so steep I would have probably went down it. Mark let me use his ice tool on the way down which was very helpful, and I treated my ice axe like a ice tool so it was kinda like having two. When it got a bit icier I had to be careful, but using both the axe and tool was just a blast. At one point I had to make a quick ice axe arrest due to falling, but fortunatly the slope was not bad at that part. Soon we reach the bottom of the gulley. From here we put away our crampons and such and head for the trail. As I prediected it feels a lot longer going down the trail than it does going up, even if we are making better time going down. Part of it I believe has to do with expecting the trailhead to be near, and on the way up everyone is just excited about going up. We acually saw a few later comers on the way down of the trail. When nearing the trailhead we found a pair of North Face gloves which are decent, if anyone is missing a pair from this hike please let me know. At the trailhead I took off my boots and as I was doing this I had a horrible cramp, trust me when you get them this bad I'm not exaggerating. One of the hardest parts of the trip was getting back up into the car which was very painful, fortunatly it got better. From here we went home. Special Thanks to Everyone who came, especially Stewie who drived us there, Mark bough me food, and Collin gave me some chocolate. All in all it was an awesome trip, you guys were an awesome team and I would love to get together again soon to go for another adventure.

It's called the 230 that goes from Smokey Point to Darrington. I took that bus when having the Prarie Adventure. 1$ each way from home, now bad. I just might climb White Horse the same way by taking the bus, unless one or more of the people wanting to go does not want to bus.

Unfortunatly.

I know, thats what is so bothersome, its finally dry but I have no way of getting there today. Well perhaps another week I'll be able to go there.

I also have the same glacier rope type as Mark. Sounds like we got a sweet crew!

Nice! Thanks for creating it! I also like the name, it works well.

Looks like I'm a bit late, but better late than never. Anyways I'm pretty much always looking for partners and am just slightly older than Mark. I would be willing to join this group you guys speak of, now my question is, what are we going to call ourselfs?

Thanks Mark, I'll try next time for having you. I'm remember when you used to say "hikes, I would rather be climbing" which is understandable, but I was not sure if you would have wanted to go. Also there was the factor of if your parents would allow you to do with BadDog.

Yup, thats right. I did not have to zoom in that much, but I did a bit. I believe it was more along the lines of Noorado Needle.

Eldorado Peak. A beautiful peak indeed! I want to go there this year!

Bummer! As for the bike idea, already one step ahead of you.

Thanks for the page on the bus to Goldbar but I already know about it, and plan on taking it to do Mountains like Mount Stickney and Zekes, it's going further that is the problem, but if that train system acually works for cheaper, then I might just have to do that.

Thanks Everyone! Glad you guys liked this, at first I was worried someone might not of liked this posted because it is "non climbing".

Even if it were some how each way it still would be almost half the price, but it is possible for it to be both ways, I could always contact the site people about the price. If it is both ways, oh man I should get out more often than just 1 adventure a week.

Now my Hidden Lakes Peak trip was off trail but did not require much use of hands, but was very beautiful and snowy, I put in a lot of photos from the place, and it was diffrent from the average hike for me. So my thoughts are so long as my story is entertaining and has plenty of photos of a hike which if it's a hike I could limit the amount of hike posts that way I don't turn into a hike poster but at the same time I share some of my adventures when I am not climbing. Sound good?

Here's an example of a trip I did last month: http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/934714

Trip: In Awesome Wonders - Hidden Lake Peaks Date: 12/5/2009 Trip Report: This hike took place on December 5, 2009 on Hidden Lake Peaks. This truly was a beautiful hike and one could say it was like being in awesome wonders. It started when BadDog invited me, and as always I had to accept the offer. Another guy named Don came which I hear has some climbing experience, the weather was finally good so it looked like I was in for a good hike. Fortunately it was better than I expected... I woke up at 6:00 a.m. to get my last second stuff together and eat breakfast, and from there BadDog picked me up and we headed for Hidden Lake Peaks. On the way I took a few photos of the mountains as I always do which I call my "Drive by Shootings" of photos that is. At Darrington Don was generous and bought me some chocolate milk which was 800 calories in just a few mintues, don't worry I would be using the energy on the hike. We took a different route to the Cascade Valley by taking a side road before getting to Rockport. Once we were in the Cascade Valley I had to get a few shots of Eldorado Peak. After this Don took over for driving up the road to the trailhead because the road up is quite steep. To our suprise there was hardly any snow on the road and it was acually more icy on I-5 than it was way up at 2,800 feet. We started out on the ridge rather than at the main trailhead because we wanted to try a new route on the mountain. I had my ice axe out right away because not only do I very much like it, but it helps on steep slopes of dirt. We paced very well going up, not saying we were going slow, but at a good pace. Eventually we hit snow which to me is a good sign, the mountains without snow is not as exciting. Holly (the dog) very much liked the snow and would sometimes play in it. We were in the trees a lot longer than I had expected, but when ever we got a view through the trees it was breath taking. There was apart of the hike that had a rather interesting look to it, there were snow swirls all around and snow bumps that covered the rocks, and it started to feel more and more like I was on a glacier, there were even mini crevasses (perhaps only a few feet deep). After this we were for the most part above the trees and the views really started to come in. As I looked over at Norado Needle, the Traid, and many others I said to myself "What a beautiful world" because it felt like I was in a mountainous paradise, it was this place that reminded me why I loved the Cascade Valley so much. The thin clouds coming in created snow shadows over the mountains and added much to the beauty of the place. As I looked North the clear weather looked just wonderful, but as I looked to the South I could see that there was bad weather coming in. The sun was bright so I had to get out my sun glasses and the atmosphere of the place became more and more mountainous with every step. When walking at times it would sound like styrofoam, and at others it would be a crunch. Fortunately we decided against carrying up the snowshoes and the crampons we had were not nessisary although a few spots had a little ice under the snow. I could see the weather taking a spin, from thin clouds coming over to making the sun look like the moon. I gradually became more and more tired as we were going up. I saw above what looked like a human figure on the summit, but I did not think much until a little later they moved and they were acually a skier. The first sign of trouble came in when Holly was whining a little from the cold, which had the group worried, her paws were cold which BadDog was wondering about turning around. At this point the summit was not far, and we knew if we just carried on just a little longer we would have a few minute summit, and then hurry down. Getting to the summit for me was a bit difficult. As we were heading up the last 400 or so feet my feet became more and more cold as well as my hands. I was a bit hungry, I had a quick snack but I would have to wait for the summit for real food. The wind kicked up and the temperatures steadily declined which also weakened me a bit. Don was nice enough to break in the trail for the last 400 feet, and soon we were on the summit. I put on all my layers as fast I could, ate, drank what I could (my water was literally beginning to freeze) and took as many photos as I could until my hands were too cold, and from there most of photography interest for the rest of the trip was lost exept for a few times. As I was eating I noticed blood on my burrito which worried me, and then more as I took another bite, Fortunately it was just a bloody lip. The view had a nice winter look to it, but I was too cold to put a whole lot of thought into it. After just a few minutes we immediately start our descent. Any time I ever tried to glissade Holly would try to bite me (as she usually does) which made glissading a little harder, but I find it entertaining and perhaps was a sign that Holly was feeling good. Mean while BadDog gets a bad cramp which she says was from the cold. We had to slow our pace and not long after her I start to get a bit of a cramp in my legs which for me was probably caused by dehydration. Then it began to snow a little, but by this point I was more concerned with getting down. After getting down a ways I got more feeling back into my hands and feet which was nice. BadDog and me had some nice talk and the temperatures felt "warmer" and as always it feels like less time going down than up, although a few places felt longer. BadDog also bought me a muffin and a drink on the way home which was very nice of her as well as taking me. Special Thanks for that! It ended up being another fun adventure. Great work team! For a Gallery Version of the photos from the trip report, click here.

Was wondering if hiking or scrambling trip reports were ok on Cascadeclimbers? I figured it was climbing only posts but have seen a scramble post, and would like to share some of my winter hike trips here if thats ok.

I looked into it myself and it said $15.00! Is that one way or round trip!? I hit the round trip button, before I knew of a bus that goes from Sultan to Stevens Pass for 10$ round trip, but if it is 15 round trip from Everett to Leavenworth, that would be amazing, but perhaps it means one way?

I'd be in for this one. Now how do you suppose performing the z-pulley it self? We would be able to make it, but when it comes to acually using it I'm a little stumped.

Agreed! My thoughts were perhaps April or May might be a better month. There were some lower crevasses but I did not like the look of the powder around them, at the very least you would get covered in powder as you go in.

I was offered a pair of Petzl Aztars for a mind blowing price, so it looks like I'm hooked up. Thank you everyone for your offers and replies.

Man, had I not gotten this sweet deal of these for 80$ I probably would have been all over this offer. Anyways thanks for it.

Oh, the guy sent me a pm for a 125$ deal (the same guy who is selling the whole set for 200$), I would be thinking about it, but another guy from cc sent me a pm for a 80$ pair as seen here: