JasonG

Given the slow melt and huge snowpack this year, I'd say that it won't be a normal Oct. on the mountain. Probably much better snow and ice conditions than normal.....Good luck!

Trail Park Pass. Wetslide used the term wilderness permit, but it isn't a wilderness area. Just the standard parking permit that we know and "love".

Funny you should ask, the exact same thing happened to me 7 years ago. We photocopied our valid trail park pass and sent a letter explaining what had happened to the appropriate office (it will say where on the ticket). Then, we left the country for a couple of months and returned home to find an arrest warrant for my wife in our mail box (the car was in her name). Somehow they hadn't connected the letter to the violation (though I had referenced the violation number in the letter) and it went through the courts with a "failure to appear", etc., etc., while we were out of the country. I guess somewhere along the way, they decided that she needed to be arrested. I called the US attorney's office in Yakima and reamed someone out for wasting so much taxpayer money on such a trivial matter. They dropped the case and left us alone after finding the letter on someone's desk. Hopefully you have a better experience. I have a hunch that a significant portion of the monies collected under this program go to enforcement, without a whole lot going to backcountry improvements. Most of the work I see done on trails is by WTA volunteers.

Wait, was along on this trip? Sounds like a good day!

Stay safe out there Steve and Scott, there will be summits to climb upon your return!

Nice work, and impressive images as usual!

I would add one more thing that the nameless ranger left out. Apparently they require folks to get permits if they plan to do overnight trips in the Ross Lake Rec Area. I have been chided for not doing so on Ruby and Hozomeen, though was not issued a ticket on either occasion. Strange, but true. So even if you are not in the park, you may need a permit. Does this count for boaters on the lake too?

Thanks for the compliments! Sometimes I wonder why I lug an SLR around, but when I get back home it all becomes clear.

His auto-signature is the link, lots of good stuff there!

To avoid all the frustrations of other parties in the gully, I think it is a good idea to bring a few nuts and tri cams and climb the SE ridge of the summit pyramid (low fifth). This is a fantastic way to finish the climb and I am surprised that it isn't more popular. I think it took us ~11-12 hrs car to car last September (not rushing) so you don't have to camp and deal with the permit fiasco either.

Trip: Little Devil and Baksit Peaks - Standards Date: 8/8/2011 Trip Report: These peaks aren't technical, but they are scenic, and worth the walk. Having hiked up to the lookout many times over the years, I had never taken the turn to Monogram lake before this Sunday. I ran into a couple that had bailed on Little Devil when the predicted sunny skies never materialized, and almost turned around myself when I climbed up into the clouds above Monogram Lake. Thankfully I had Norman Maclean to keep me company (I was reminded again why "A River Runs Through It" is one of the best short stories ever written), and an hours' rest lifted the deck enough to navigate to camp below Little Devil. It was still pretty socked in the rest of the afternoon, but I scrambled up Little Devil right before sunset. After the sun went down, the clouds lowered into the valleys and I was treated to a quiet evening out under the stars. I got an early start the next morning and traversed over to Baksit (Middle Devil), where the summit register placed by Dallas and Chris Weidner in 1995 is still there. It was good to see that Dallas had signed in twice, along with a single entry from Roger Jung. Both have passed on, but I had a good few moments on the summit with memories of their exploits. Though I didn't know Roger, I had met his dad several years ago on Corteo, and was told to keep a eye out for him. I still am. The views were spectacular, and I scoped the rest of the Teebone ridge traverse (some day!). The original plan was to sidle over and tag Big Devil, but I got lazy (and apprehensive about descending into the murk) and just sat up there and took photos of the cool marine layer spilling over the divide. A quick traverse back to camp, and I was on my way back home along a ridge as scenic as any other that I have seen in the Cascades. Ptarmigan kept me company on the walk down to the trail, and I was back at the car in no time. If you need some solitude and scenery, Teebone ridge is sure to deliver! Monogram Lake still melting out in August, and the Cascade River Valley Lookout on Lookout Mountain Teebone Ridge. Big Devil on the left, Baksit (Middle Devil) in the middle, and the Trapezoid (Last Devil) on the right Snowfield Group at sunrise Little Devil Sinister and Dome- I wish we had this weather a month ago! Summit register on Baksit (Middle Devil) Fallen Angel The Trapezoid (Last Devil) and the Pickets Slesse and Triumph Fallen Angel Cue "The Sound of Music" Gear Notes: Crampons and axe Approach Notes: Monogram Lake trail. Leave it at the ridge before dropping to the lake and go up. Julie Andrews is waiting above.

Wait, is this the same Demitri that Scott climbs with when he is up there???

Nice work Rad! Yeah, that way always seemed to be a long way in and out. A few years back we went in via Little Beaver, climbed over Whatcom, and tagged Challenger, Fury, and Luna, before an exit out access creek and the Big Beaver. Using the boat shuttle to complete the loop, I think it took us 7 days- and none were killers. Something to consider if you plan to go back in after the approach memories fade.....

Holy crap, that is some fine climbing! I need to get my rock skills brushed up and head back up there. . . .Thanks for the reminder. I am impressed with the amount and quality you guys climbed in such a short few days . ..nice work!

So it would have been too hard to bail on the day you were supposed to be out? It seems odd to me to continue on when you know a rescue will be initiated, unless the way back is too hard/dangerous to reverse (or would take longer than going up). Maybe this is so, but it wasn't addressed in the narrative. But . .. I admire the determination that you guys obviously displayed. Strong work!

Nice work!! Yeah, that nut wasn't too bad once we got to looking at it (and setting it with an axe), we rapped off it also. Given the grade, I think we underestimated the EFD a bit- at least the lower, scrambly pitches. The last couple fifth class ones are pretty fun and protect well though. How was getting onto the rock? That moat can be tricky, at least it was for us. Cool summit, certainly a bit more rugged than you would expect given its location.

Yes, I've never understood the summit register nazi mentality. If you don't like registers, don't sign them, but please leave them for the rest of us to enjoy. It is always fun to see familiar names, including some who are no longer with us. It is a good way to keep their memories alive, but these register stealing bozos probably don't care much for anyone beyond themselves and their misguided ambitions.

upload to the gallery, then post using the little camera icon....

emails sent, thanks much!!

You might also try posting on nwhikers.....cool story!

Nice work Caleb!- branching out from the hard rock, eh? The Chimney's are spicy when snowy and do take a bit of time to descend safely. Sometimes a faster option (with a healthy snowpack) is to descend the White Salmon and bash brush back the way you came in. Sounds like a grand adventure though, an unexpected night out?

Now that is some funny stuff- classic DC shenanigans. It's pretty amazing that teams would get aggro about passing when faced with a large, wide open glacier. I agree that the other parties are often on par with the objective hazards on the hill. Straight out of Vertical Limit.

Good to hear! We have been really pleased with ours, and now kiddo #2 if getting to enjoy it. Many thousands of vert later and it is still going strong. Pretty grubby (food and drool do wonders on a pack), but not worn really at all.

Now this is starting to get funny. If only I could read above a third grade level! I feel I am missing some of the jabs.

http://www.kptv.com/story/15141536/climber-dies-in-fall Very sad indeed. Was he on cc.com?