summithound

Hey All: I was shot down by Cannon Mountain once earlier this month and once last month and I'm itching for another opportunity to get it done. The route I'd like to take is very specific: Depart along the old logging road from the Mountaineer Creek trailhead. Traverse the washout to continue along the old logging road (various degrees of bushwhacking). Just past the switchback in the road at two miles make a direct ascent of the forested ridge to gain the northwest ridge proper at four miles. Rather than descend to Coney Lake like most parties, stay on the ridge to the summit. Reverse the route on the descent. I realize this route might be slightly more challenging than departing the old logging road at the washout and descending to Coney Lake once the northwest ridge is attained but I find it more attractive and sporting in nature. During my first attempt my buddy and I were turned around on the northwest ridge at about 8,000' due to fatigue on his part. On my most recent attempt I decided to call it quits about 0.5 mile from the summit due to fatigue. My climbing buddy was able to find a way around the last impediment and successfully made the top. I think one of the primary reasons I had such low energy levels at my turnaround point was a combination of dehydration and poor nutrition (more the former than the latter, however). The day could've started off better with more than a Safeway pastry and it was probably a sign that I didn't take my first pee stop until 0.5 mile from the summit. My preferred days for this attempt would be either Saturday, September 8th or Saturday, September 15th. I am also available Sunday, September 9th and Sunday, September 16th. Having both stayed at a hotel in Wenatchee and camped at the trailhead I'd like to make this an out-and-back trip from Kirkland, hitting the road no later than 3:30 a.m. This is a long route and I imagine the ridge will take some time; we'll likely be hiking out in the dark. I am available to drive and am fine with picking up anybody along the way. My route will be via Highways 522 and 2. The weather forecast can be found here. If there are any interested parties, please let me know. For the time being I want a partner before I give this another attempt.

Hey All: I was shot down by Cannon Mountain last month and I'm itching for another opportunity to get it done. The route I'd like to take is very specific: Depart along the old logging road from the Mountaineer Creek trailhead. Traverse the washout to continue along the old logging road (various degrees of bushwhacking). Just past the switchback in the road at two miles make a direct ascent of the forested ridge to gain the northwest ridge proper at four miles. Rather than descend to Coney Lake like most parties, stay on the ridge to the summit. Reverse the route on the descent. I realize this route might be slightly more challenging than departing the old logging road at the washout and descending to Coney Lake once the northwest ridge is attained but I find it more attractive and sporting in nature. During my last attempt my buddy and I were turned around on the northwest ridge at about 8,000' (due to fatigue on his part) so I am familiar with the route up to that point. I am free any day between, and including, this Saturday, August 11th and Thursday, August 16th. I would prefer to bivvy at the trailhead the night before so we can be off at first light. Otherwise, I think a 3:30 a.m. departure time from Kirkland would be prudent. This is a long route and I imagine the ridge will take some time. I am available to drive and am fine with picking up anybody along the way. My route will be via Highways 522 and 2. The weather forecast can be found here. If there are any interested parties, please let me know. For the time being I want a partner before I give this another attempt.

Postponed due to high avalanche danger. Rescheduled for next weekend (the 19th or 20th). Original post updated.

Hey All: I'd like to tackle Hidden Lake Peak near Newhalem on either Saturday, May 19th or Sunday, May 20th; it would be great to have some company. My schedule is wide open either day. The intended route will be the summer trail and the north ridge via Sibley Creek Pass. The descent will follow the same line. My plan is to leave Kirkland at 5:00 a.m., picking up anybody along the way who would like a ride. A rendezvous at the trailhead is also an option. The weather forecast can be found here. If anybody is interested in tagging this summit, please drop me a line and we'll talk. Recommended gear: ice axe and crampons

Hey All: I haven't had a good scramble in awhile and I'm itching to get out. Merchant Peak near Baring has been on my list for some time. My intended route is the one described in Smoot's Climbing Washington's Mountains (south gully). I'm looking at either Saturday, April 28th or Sunday, April 29th; my schedule is wide open both days. With the consolidation that should take place between now and then I think snow conditions will be optimal for success. There's report of a large moat that opens about midway up the gully later in the season; I feel a late-April ascent will decrease our chances of running into such an obstacle. I'm unwilling to attempt this one solo at the moment so it would be great if I could find some company. I've got four open seatbelts in my car and I'm willing to pick up anybody along the way (starting from Kirkland) or meet up at the Barclay Lake trailhead. My plan is to be on the road by 5:00 a.m. in hopes of finding firm morning snow to propel us towards the top. The weather forecast can be monitored here. If anybody is interested, please let me know. This will be my second attempt on the mountain. Recommended gear: ice axe, crampons, snowshoes, helmet, headlamp

Hey All: I haven't had a good scramble in awhile, let alone a scramble in winter like conditions and I'm itching to get out. Saturday looks like the day. Merchant Peak near Baring has been on my "to do" list for quite some time but I don't want to attempt this one solo at the moment. Reference Smoot's Climbing Washington's Mountains for a description of the south gully route. If anybody would like to join, I have two open seatbelts in my car and I'm willing to make a pickup along the way or rendezvous at the Barclay Lake trailhead. The weather forecast is looking great. I'd like to leave Seattle at 4:45 a.m. to allow as much time as possible for the attempt. An ice axe and crampons will be necessary. I will probably stash my snowshoes in the trunk and make a last-minute decision as to whether or not to carry them before we embark. If any of you are interested, holler out!

Hey All: I'd really like to get up Kaleetan Peak near Snoqualmie Pass on Saturday. So far asong is on board but it would great to have others along. The weather forecast definitely looks promising. Due to the shorter days I'm planning a Seattle departure time of 5:30 a.m. I've got three open seat belts in my car and can pick up anybody along the way. A rendezvous at the trailhead would also work. Snow gear probably won't be required but I may gaiter up and carry an ice axe just in case. Drop me a line if you're interested!

Hey All: In my continued effort to have fun-filled weekends, I'm going to be donning the rain jacket and heading up Granite Mountain near Snoqualmie Pass on Saturday. I want to be leaving Seattle at 9:00 a.m. I've got four open seatbelts in my car and I can pick up anybody along the way or meet at the trailhead. A link to the weather forecast can be found here. If you're interested in coming along, let me know!

I'm planning a climb (third attempt for one reason or another) of Mount Howard near Plain on Sunday via the Rock Lake and Nason Ridge Trails to Crescent Lake. The intent is to leave Seattle at 4:30 a.m. to catch the Rock Lake Trail before the sun hits it. I've got room in my vehicle for four others and I'm willing to pick up anybody along the way or make a rendezvous at the trailhead. Here's a link to the weather forecast. If you're interested, let me know!

Rescheduled for Saturday, July 16th. I've updated my original post.

Postponed. For some reason I can't delete this thread. I'll rehash it when Howard is back in my sights.

I'm planning a climb of Mount Howard near Plain on Saturday, July 16th via the Rock Creek and Nason Ridge Trails to Crescent Lake. The intent is to leave Seattle at 5:00 a.m. I've got room in my vehicle for four others and I'm willing to pick up anybody along the way or make a rendezvous at the trailhead. I'll be headed east on Highway 2 afterward. Here's a link to the weather forecast. If you're interested, let me know!

I'm an avid scrambler and hiker looking for an experienced partner to lead up Mount Olympus this year. I'd make a strong companion but my knowledge of rock climbing and rope work is limited. I've made the summit of Mount Baker, Colchuck Peak and Kendall Peak in just the last month so endurance is not a problem. I offer a free ride from Seattle and a celebratory dinner and beers on the way home to those who may be interested in teaching a newbie the basics of rock protection, belaying and rappelling on this introductory climb. I've got a 9.5mm x 60m dry rope, harness, belay/rappel device, prusiks, locking caribiners and other odds and ends (ice axe, crampons, helmet, etc.). If this strikes your fancy, please let me know. Or, if there's any other useful information I could include in this post, please don't hesitate to inform me. Thanks all!

I'd really like to knock off The Brothers near Brinnon this weekend. My hope is to make a 1:30 Friday afternoon departure from Seattle and establish a base camp in the usual area along the East Fork of Lena Creek. The weather is looking great. I've got one open seat belt in my car. One other person has offered to drive if we get a couple others on board. He will have four available seat belts. We can swing by and pick up anybody along the way (I-5 to Olympia and Highway 101 through Shelton). As far as sleeping arrangements, my tent will be full at two people and I can't guarantee that others will want to share theirs. You'll have to keep this in mind when planning ahead. An ice axe, crampons and a climbing helmet will be necessities. If anybody is interested, please let me know!

A few buddies and I are planning an attempt of Colchuck Peak near Leavenworth tomorrow. Our route will be via Colchuck Lake, Glacier and Col. Departure time from Seattle will be 5:30 a.m. and with one open seat belt in my car I can swing by and pick up anybody along the way (Highway 2). A rendezvous at the trailhead would work as well. A link to the weather forecast can be found here. We plan to forgo the snowshoes but will be carrying crampons and ice axes. If anybody is interested in joining, please let me know!

Hey All: I'm looking for another climber for an ascent of Kendall Peak near Snoqualmie Pass on Sunday. My intended route is the north ridge via the PCT (a combination of Variations 2 and 3 from the SummitPost description). I'm comfortable giving this a go alone but I'd prefer a partner. If anybody is interested, please let me know. I live in Seattle and am willing to pick up anybody along the way. I'd like to be leaving the city at 6:45 a.m. A rendezvous at the trailhead is also an option. The scramble is rated a class two or three but I fully intend on carrying crampons and an ice axe. Snowshoes might also come in handy on the approach. The weather forecast can be found here.

Sweet! We saw you guys at the summit. I think my buddy was the one who took the picture of you both holding the flag. Fun times!

Bump. Updated original post.

The book claims 3.5 miles but it looks like it's only about three. The disc brakes on my bike are a little messed up and they're rubbing quite a bit so I'm going to stash my bike at that junction. At that point we shouldn't be too far from the snow line anyway. I don't have any of the safety gear you mentioned but I heard Smoot's rating of a Class 2 or 3 scramble is pretty accurate and I'm not anticipating the need for rope or protection. It may be a bit naive of me but I also lack a beacon, shovel and probe as I have only recently been introduced to scrambling. But we shouldn't face any problems if the snow is solid. If you don't have a bike I'm fine with donning a pair of street shoes and walking the road. It wouldn't take too long to cover that distance. I'd prefer to walk then be down a partner when it comes down to it. Here's to a good weather forecast; right now it's looking a bit gloomy.

Hey Everyone: I'm planning a climb up Mount Index next weekend (the 12th or 13th) via FR 62, the North Fork Tolt River and the west ridge/southwest slope. Jeff Smoot's Climbing Washington's Mountains details the route. I did some FR 62 reconnaissance today and the road is open and clear to the Weyerhaeuser gate at 5.9 miles. I'd like to mountain bike the first 3.7 miles to the point where the route departs the North Fork Tolt River Road but I'm open to walking it if not all of us have bikes. This climb will be dependent on stable snow conditions and good weather. An ice axe and crampons will be necessary. I may even opt to carry snowshoes just in case. The weather forecast can be found through this link. I've got a track log from a fellow who has done the climb before and I'll be able to load that in to my GPS which should make route finding a bit easier. I'm in Seattle and can pick up anybody along the way. I'd like to get most of the road walking finished during the pre-dawn hours to give us as much time as possible to make the summit. I'm not the quickest climber but I'm steady and determined. I would really like some company for this excursion so if anybody would like to join me please let me know! The more the merrier! UPDATE 2/18: We're all systems go for tomorrow! If you'd like to jump on board, let me know.

Oh yeah, we definitely made it! It was gorgeous! There was about a three-mile road walk before the start of the scrambling route. Snow conditions were excellent and Ellinor was peeking in and out of the clouds.

Nice job! I know what you mean about Smoot's book. It's a great resource and I'm in the midst of checking them off one-by-one as well. My most recent peaks have been Washington and Angeles in the Olympics. Index is next!

Updated post above.

Hey Everyone: I'm planning a climb of Mount Angeles in the Olympics this weekend pending acceptable avalanche danger. I'm not sure if this trip will be on Saturday or Sunday as it's totally dependent on snow conditions. I'd like to be on the 5:35 a.m. (7:10 a.m. if Sunday) ferry from Edmonds which means an early start. The access road is gated at Heart O'the Hills Campground at dusk (half an hour after sunset - about 5:30 p.m.) and I want to give myself as much time as possible. The plan is to follow the summer route as closely as possible, beginning on the Switchback Trail and then following the Mount Angeles climber's trail around the west side of the mountain and up the gully just northeast of the summit (as described in Climbing Washington's Mountains). Crampons and an ice axe will be needed and I'll probably pack my snowshoes as well since we'll be passing through some open meadows. Here is a link to the weather forecast. Let me know if you're interested in joining! I can fit five people (including myself) in my car and am willing to pick up anybody along the way. UPDATE 1/28: I've decided to postpone this trip due to a lack of motivation and a lack of tire chains. I'll update this post as soon as Angeles is back in my sights.

I have updated my original post above. This trip has been postponed for those still interested!