[TR] Mount Prophet - "Jacob's Ladder" (AKA full SW rib...FA?) 06/24/2018

[JasonG]

Trip: Mount Prophet - "Jacob's Ladder" (AKA full SW rib...FA?)

Trip Date: 06/24/2018

Trip Report:

 

"And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.  And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it."  - Genesis 28:10-12 KJV

 

Grunting our way up the prominent rib on the SW side of Mount Prophet (above, in photo taken from Luna Peak by Martin Shetter), nobody would have mistaken Kit Moffitt and I for angels.  Although the summit of Prophet this past Sunday was certainly much closer to heaven than the bug infested forests back at Luna Camp,  our home for two nights as we investigated the directissima up the SW rib.  Our aim was to explore above 5450' on the feature, where everyone seems to traverse off the rib into a typically crappy talus basin (via 4th class down climb).  Given the ominous warning on SummitPost, Kit and I went in with a rope, rack, and even a pair of rock shoes:

"The rib has cliffs on either side and no one has yet explored the possibility of climbing it directly to the summit. That could prove to be a bad idea."- SP

We were a little disappointed that the gear stayed in the pack the entire time, however (long way to carry it!), but pleasantly surprised to find fairly clean and exposed class 3 climbing for ~1500 vertical feet to the summit.  There really is no reason to leave the SW rib for future parties, until it is time to descend.  We did go down the "SW rib" route (south of actual SW rib, described well on SP and found it to be your typical mix of scree, talus,and pain).  We also found a way back on to the rib at about 5600' that only involved a bit of exposed class 3 (seems easier than how the lower access is described on SP?).  Given the obvious difference in quality between the two scramble routes,  I suspect that future parties will follow the loop that Kit and I did this past Sunday.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if someone has ascended the full SW rib before we did this past weekend.  Does anyone have info of previous parties, before Kit and I go claiming this massive, 3rd class, FA?? It is quite prominent as you descend out Access (Axes? Pickaxes?) Creek, and I noticed it back in 2007 on the exit from my first Pickets trip.  It was fun to come back and explore something that has not been documented before- our very own backyard adventure!  Just goes to show that there are still plenty of blanks on the (climbing) map, even for the blue collar set....

 

Calling the resort for the boat pickup, saving 12 miles RT:

 

Luna Peak:

Mac Spires, Inspiration, The Pyramid, Degenhardt:

Blue collar!

 

Nearing the summit as the rib fades:

Jack:

 

"Jacob's Ladder" from the summit

Old habits die hard.  Hanging out with the ghosts at Good Food, post trip:

 

Gear Notes:
Helmet, axe, crampons (early season). We brought gear in case it was technical, but found nothing over exposed class 3.

Approach Notes:
Big Beaver trail to just before Luna camp, then head uphill a steep vertical mile to the summit. It goes from hiking to scrambling at about 5800' The slope turns into the SW rib which is followed religiously to the summit. Descend on the south side of the rib until you can regain it about 5600'

[AnthonyL]

This looks like a great outing! 

 

Way to get after it. 

Edited June 29, 2018 by AnthonyL

[Rad]

Nice looking rib there. And giant trees

Tim's Jalapeno chips. Mmmmm

 

[AlecE]

Awesome photos and a sweet looking trip!

[Bronco]

Looks like a fun romp.  Good training to haul a rack and rope and the odor from old rock shoes keeps the bugs at bay.  Or maybe attracts them.  

We drove by Good Food on Fathers day and laughed about our last trip there where my wedding ring fell off into one of the "bathroom" sinks and because there was no stopper, went right down the drain.  I retrieved a pair of channel locks from the truck and proceeded to remove the P-trap to find my ring. While reinstalling the P-Trap, I was surprised by someone opening the door and I blurted out "this one is closed for repairs!" as they scurried out.  I washed up (and checked for leaks), put the channel locks away and went in to find our table. We laughed when someone at the table next to us was overheard complaining about the crabby a**hole plumber in the bathroom.

[JasonG]

24 minutes ago, Bronco said:

complaining about the crabby a**hole plumber in the bathroom.

oh man......that's classic! 

Funny you should mention people barging into that bathroom when it was "locked".  We talked of this in detail.  That latch just about got everyone, myself included, over the years.  My favorite was a little old lady who just about had a heart attack when the door opened to reveal me on the toilet.  Good times at Good Food. 

Now, if only I had had the guts to go to Blackie's  when it was open in the 90's.... Dallas and Scott have regaled me with tales from that fine establishment.

[Bronco]

I was just looking at your photos again, that really looks like a fun scramble line, kind of like the West Ridge of the N. Twin but chossier and a bit more of an approach.  

Edited June 29, 2018 by Bronco

[JasonG]

It really is, I think it could become moderately popular.  You can't beat the position!  And the approach is cool as well...plus hardly any brush.

[ivan]

I met a fan dancer down in southside Birmingham
She was running from a fat man selling salvation in his hand
She said he's tryin' to save me
But I'm doin' alright, the best that I can
Just a pair of fallen angels tryin' to get through the night

Step by step, one by one, higher and higher
Step by step, one by one, climbing Jacob's ladder

Comin' over the airwaves the man says I'm overdue
Sing a song, send money, join the chosen few
But mister I'm not in a hurry, and I don't want to be like you
All I want from tomorrow is to get it better than today

Step by step, one by one, higher and higher
Step by step, one by one, climbing Jacob's ladder

All I want from tomorrow is to get it better than today
Step by step, one by one, higher and higher
Step by step, one by one, climbing Jacob's ladder

[JasonG]

It's no Huey Lewis, but this is more my style:

 

[ivan]

ken burn's civil war series is probably the biggest reason i went into the profession i did

still, the original, bruce hornsby, version of the prior song was my current inspiration as huey's like, ya know....

 

[geosean]

That looks like an awesome line. Nice work putting it on everyone's map.

[curtveld]

Awesome discovery Jason and Kit! I've long wanted a better motivation to get to that part of the Cascades

[cfire]

Great job Jason and Kit! Guess I should have found time for that adventure 

 

Everyone has a Good Food story. I always felt like I was walking into a Far Side cartoon every visit.

[sepultura]

Nice one Kit and J! Looks like a great trip.

Do you recall that post climb meal we had at Good Food when that feral kitty stole that burger right off of one of those moldy picnic tables?

 

[Phil K]

That's the coolest thing I've seen in a long time.

[JasonG]

Thanks everyone! 

@sepultura, I do now that you mention it!  Legendary.  It was never a dull moment around that place.  I also remember Wade would never eat there, being that he was a Skagit Co. health dept. inspector and knew their record of food safety violations.....

And @cfire is right, total FarSide each and every time. 

@Phil K, I think you'd really enjoy Jacob's Ladder!

[sparverius]

Nice work J and Kit! Skag bros leaving their mark!

[ZakG]

Nice looking scramble!  And on the topic of Good Food, here is a photo of my oldest daughter's first (and last) trip to that wonderful restaurant.  October 2008.  Good Food, gooder times!

[curtveld]

Was up there last weekend and the Ladder's future is considerably brighter than poor old Good Food. Very direct (though steep) approach under timber, then that long, scenic rib make for a great outing. Way more sensible and aesthetic than coming up from 39 Mile Camp, as the red Fred suggests.

If you want to avoid schwacking entirely, head off the trail just past the major bouldery creek crossing well before Luna camp - the drainage to the right of the route.  Follow the timber north of the creek for about 500' past some monster firs and angle left toward the highest ground, avoiding several mossy slabs. If you manage to get confused on this one, you should probably stick to top-roping at the Exits.  

Cool route, guys!

Edited July 18, 2019 by curtveld

[JasonG]

Thanks @curtveld, glad you enjoyed it!  And yes, you nailed the approach beta from the trail- I could have been more specific about where to turn off.  Post up a TR of your own if you have the time!

I should add that in my correspondence with the Skagit Oracle (John Roper) he was of the opinion that nobody had climbed the rib before last summer.  Not that our ascent was a huge deal, just passing it along that I did check with him.  Fred, of course, is silent on the matter- both in word and print.

[G-spotter]

On 7/18/2019 at 8:16 AM, JasonG said:

.  Fred, of course, is silent on the matter- both in word

that's kinda low, man.

[JasonG]

16 minutes ago, G-spotter said:

that's kinda low, man.

Coming from you, that gives me some pause.  I guess too soon to jest about the end of Fred's monopoly on ascents and beta?

[Hartselle Mountain Hikers]

Jason,

Do you have more details to share bout this route? I'm planning to go to Prophet this September (via the South ridge), but after reading your post, now way to ignore the Jacob's Ladder!.

Thank you

[JonParker]

On 2/18/2024 at 6:26 PM, Hartselle Mountain Hikers said:

Jason,

Do you have more details to share bout this route? I'm planning to go to Prophet this September (via the South ridge), but after reading your post, now way to ignore the Jacob's Ladder!.

Thank you

Not gonna speak for Jason, but I checked this out a couple years ago. It’s pretty straightforward. You’ll want to leave the trail and start uphill about 200-300 feet south of the creek by Luna camp. Avoid minor cliff bands and just stick to the shoulder, which gradually becomes more pronounced as you ascend. On our way up we were initially under a canopy of giant ferns taller than we. This was fun but we found the more efficient path on the way back a little further from the creek.