try2live

Trip: Chair Peak - North Face Date: 2/3/2009 Trip Report: Started from the car about 6am and headed out while it was still dark..We broke out from the trees about the time the sun was coming out to perfect clear skys, and perfect cold weather. First pitch was gnarly and full of perfect alpine ice..Conditions could not have been any better for this climb! (start of pitch 1) We just couldnt have asked for any more on this climb...pitch after pitch was just perfect, hard packed ice/snow and very steap conditions to keep the calves warm. pickets dug deep, enough ice for screws...made us feel so comfortable to didnt use any pro through the 4th pitch up past the trees. A good view from the trees! (pitch 3) (looking up pitch 3) From the trees we pushed on up to the summit for a spectacular view. Looking out we could see baker and the sisters...looking the other way we could see obviously rainier, and even adams! Its always awsome to see all the way accross the state from one spot! I would recommend this climb, and this route to anyone who wants an amazing day trip, with a challenging climb, and an amazing view! However, if you think youve got your balls screwed on tight enough for the way up, be ready for the way down! we down climbed on the south side of the mountain through some steep, steep sketchy chute leading to a rappel, repelled off a berg, and then proceeded to downclimb a steep snow chute. Thankfully after the berg, we had two full reppels instead of just one and that dramatically reduced our downclimb on the chute! Round trip was from 6am-5pm...Barn none the best day climb, with a 30 min approach you can reach in this area! Two thumbs up! Gear Notes: 3 pickets, 3 ice screws, 3 small tricams or nuts Approach Notes: Couldnt have been easier!!