banos

PM sent on MH Navi pants

This is as close as I can come... We got to the far side of that upper snow field and the rock was just too vertical in order to connect with the next snow field which lead to the ridge.. and the lower snowfields had no shot.. we could see it all very well from lower down on that side.. just couldn't complete it.. We spent all afternoon on that side of Stephen so we got really well acquainted with it lol.. IMO just too little snow. No worries Achyknees.. We gave it a great shot.. perhaps more skilled climbers could have made the connection.. we just felt it was a bit too exposed for the move required to gain the top of that rock.. Besides.. we got to spend two nites up on that flat ridge camp and had awesome clear mornings both times.. well worth the effort. Besides, walking up thru beautiful Ferry basin from east of Cream Lake was awesome in itself..

My Pard & I did the Bailey Trav last week... We had great weather and the trip was fairly straight forward.. The Olympic Mountain Rescue's Olympic Mtn Climbing Guide Bailey Section proved invaluable on the trip. We attempted the Cream Lake bypass via the Stephen Pk high route, but were unable to negotiate the rib of rock separating the two high snow fields needed to cross to attain the far ridge.. I believe if snow levels had been more normal and not 'mid Septemberish' we would have been successful.. As it was after spending all afternoon up on Stephen trying to gain the far ridge we decided to abort.. we then descended the only gully system that would take us down and camped above the lake The notch, lowest on the left, that we passed thru from the Hoh side.. we stayed high traversing over to Stephen Instead of dropping all the way down and coming back up the gully system we decided to stay high taking this route up to the Stephen col Once we decided to abort, we headed down this gully system.. the other gullies all end up unpassable.. note the large tree at top center of gully Our approach to the ridge off the main 'trail' to get up and over to the Stephen Basin concentrated on the centered treeless 'notch' in the ridge pictured below, prior to the 90 degree left turn & subsequent elev gain of the main 'trail' We had a bit of difficulty getting to the goat tred that leads to just below the 'notch' and the easy scramble to the top.. In this link to origial size pic you can see the goat tred leading to it high ridge Cream Lake bypass to Stephen basin My Pard & I determined, after descending from the ridge to rejoin the traditional 'trail' once again, that an easier approach to the ridge may just be heading up the rock slide pictured here (which we descended) that would lead directly up to the high goat tred to easily gain the ridge After about a 500-600 ft ascent I believe the goat tred would be easily picked up and head nearly directly to the treeless 'notch'.. Waypoint of that rock slide gully crossing the main 'trail' and exit point up is: N 47* 52' 24.1" W 123* 37' 23.5" Even if you didn't want to attempt the Stephen Pk Cream Lake bypass the camp up on that ridge is magnificent and well worth the vertical to get there.. FYI.. the Olympic Mtn Rescuers do not recommend the Stephen Pk bypass We did do the high Cream Lake approach as described in the OMR Climbers Guide and while it entailed a bit of scrambling vert, it was pretty straight forward and I would guess much better than the bushwacking involved in the traditional lower approach. After a close encounter with a very large black bear at Cream Lake we ascended on the left of the three gullies east of Cream Lake up into Ferry basin.. After enjoying the beauty of Ferry basin we camped near the saddle between Mt Ferry & Pulitzer The next day was glaciers and scree.. Child's glacier is pretty melted out.. crack dodging was/is in order.. stay high towards the end to avoid thinning bridges As with all the snow conditions the Snowfinger was pretty melted out and took us 3 hrs to negotiate.. there are a couple of bridges that if they aren't gone by now will be soon and will make route finding that much more difficult.. Especially this one toward the bottom of the Dome... It was an awesome journey.. other pics.. A couple of goats led us over the Catwalk.. On the snow behind Pulitzer.. I'd consider scrambling up the center rock then crampon across the upper aspect Nearly forgot.. I want to thank Achyknees, Hoosierdaddy, Steph A and all others who shared invaluable beta.. many thanks!

an additional 9 miles down a road seems a bit inconsequential when compared to the 20+ miles down the Elwa/NF Quinault trails needed to get out of the Bailey Trav.. jmo still, it would be nice if they fixed the road.. cuz I plan on doing the Ptarmigan in the next couple of yrs

Silence.. Did you do the Bailey this last week?

Anyone have any first hand beta on cutting over to Skyline Ridge trail from below the Elwa snowfinger: up Noyes basin thru the pass b/t Mt Noyes & Mt Seattle and on to Skyline trail? any info would be much appreciated

Thanks much... won't let those washouts worry me/us... tho still may just do the Skyline Ridge trail home..

Thanks.. I've seen those pics... You're right, they wouldn't deter my trip... Was just hoping someone had actually crossed the washouts and could share their thoughts.. May finish via Skyline Ridge regardless..

Am undertaking the Bailey Traverse end of Aug... am currently planning on exiting out the NF Quinault trail but have heard about the washouts @ 9 mile, 12 mile and 16 mile... Anyone out there have any recent beta to share?? Is this trail currently passable, or is Skyline Ridge my new exit plan? Any beta much appreciated!

pm sent

I just purchased a BD Covert w/ Avalung... feeling good about my decision.. and my wife has suffered torn thumb ligaments twice with her old damn split-plastic pole grips..

What is the min length of rope needed for rapping down from the West Summit block? Thanks much...

Am seeking any beta possible from climbers who have accessed Olympus via Humes Glacier... either originating form Elwa or Queets basin. Even better would be a late August timeframe... I am aware of the prev post.. but any additional response/s will be very much appreciated..

Anyone have a pair laying around in good condition they don't use too much anymore.. need side shields.. case optional lens condition not important.. I'd be replacing with Rx.. thanks much..

They appear to be Neves. which makes sense since they are ideal for 'petite' head sizes.. REI Julbo Neve I need something.. less 'petite' thanks tho..

PM sent Julbo's...

Spadout Garmin 60CSX PriceSpider Garmin 60CSX Also check out ebay if you're so inclinded (insert buyer beware warning).. you'll usually find some for a bit less, but be sure to note the sellers feedback rating.. goodluck

HoosierDaddy... Thanks.. that's pretty much the conclusion I'm cominmg to.. and while I'd like to have my filter/pump to directly fill my hydro resiviour, basically bringing it for that purpose alone doesn't justify the wt/space... I'm thinking I'm gonna have a hard enough time stuffing everything inside my 55L

leviticusjones.... curious.. did you attempt your trek, and did you include this high route b/t Bear Pass & Olympus past Poseidon? If so, how was it .. also what time of yr did you go?

Bailey Traverse & Olympus loop.. btw.. I've had giardia before.. ain't fun ... and thanks to all for your responses

Week or so long trek (non-winter)... Do you filter/pump your water or use iodine tabs to save wt/room?

Achyknees... Doing the loop in the 'other' direction.. How would ascending the wall up to the Stephen Pk shoulder be from Ferry basin?

achyknees... Wow.. I can see why that was the camp site of your trip. Thanks for the reply and the additional beta.. every bit will help.. I will certainly discuss the route direction with my partner, what you state makes sense.. thanks very much

Hoosierdaddy... Exactly what I am looking for.. I will most definitely be contacting you in the future.. Many thanks for the reply

Doug... Thanks very much for the reply and info.. In actuality your and Steph's trip via the Valhallas was already in my research stash and I thank you for the TR... I will definitely contact Steph as I need to collect the required beta well before our planned trip.. probably end of August. Everything being relative the Olympus glaciers should be in ok shape then shouldn't they? I would also appreciate being able to further contact you in the weeks/months ahead to glean whatever additional beta possible.. again.. many thanks Mark Anyone else lol?! I have read here that tshimko & graywolf may have experience on the ridge crest from Mt Carrie to Stephen Pk and/or the route b/t Bear Pass & Hoh glacier.. I have attempted to contact each with no luck... perhaps they just have not visited CC.com recently.. anyone that knows them or how to communicate with them.. please point them to this thread.. thanks!