AlexeyD

Thanks for the info! I guess I should have been a bit more specific about myself before posting. Personally, I have extensive on and some off-trail backpacking experience, as well as climbing and mountaineering experience. I posted in the Newbie forum because I'm new to the forum. I'm also a newbie when it comes to the Cascades: I have in fact been there, but only as a teenager and only on trails. I am certainly comfortable on steep snow and know how to self-arrest; I am also planning on bringing crampons as well as an ice ax. I will be going with my girlfriend, who has done plenty of day hiking (including winter in the White Mountains of New Hampshire) and some backpacking, but no major off-trail travel. She has certainly used crampons and an ice ax, but not really in a situation where self-arrest might be realistically required (i.e. only on steep, but forest-covered slopes). Prior to this trip, we are going to spend several days in the Purcell Mountains of southeastern British Columbia, where we will do several day trips out of a base camp. I am planning on doing some self-arrest and snow travel practice with her at some point doing this trip - especially if we have a bad weather day. So basically, I'm trying to figure out whether the route I want to do is a feasible option for a relative beginner (though in good shape) accompanied by a moderately experienced backpacker/mountaineer. Thanks again! Alexey

Thanks for the replies, guys! John - I will also contact the people you mentioned with the same question. As far as the gully to get to Silent Lakes - just how bad is it? Would you say just steep and unpleasant, or actually dangerous? Does more snow make it generally easier or harder (I expect more than normal with this year's late melt)? Finally, I've heard there is a way to bypass the gully altogether by finding a path on broken rock to the climber's left; have either of you heard anything about this? Thanks again! Alexey

Hello all, I'm planning a trip to the North Cascades in August, and looking for some on-off trail combination routes for several days. One option that I have looked at involves a loop from the Easy Pass-Fisher Creek trail to Silent Lakes, then to Fisher Pass and back to the trail. To avoid some of the sketchy terrain I have read about on the south slopes of Mount Arriva, I would descend a bit into the upper Grizzly Creek drainage and then use the pass south of Indecision Peak (not shown on the USGS map) to access the high basin and ridge that eventually leads into Fisher Pass. An approximate map of my proposed route is shown here: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=210244205518562769831.0004a3f6fddcb909a3895 Has anyone been to this area and has any advice/suggestions? Thanks in advance! Alexey