[TR] South Early Winters Spire - SW Couloir 05/14/2022

[JasonG]

Trip: South Early Winters Spire - SW Couloir

Trip Date: 05/14/2022

Trip Report:

Wow, it has been a long time since I did a TR on here. 

Maybe that is because I am mostly climbing middle aged weekend warrior stuff these days, of which there is no end of TRs in this database.  But, I was reminded yesterday, those trips are still quite a hoot, even almost 30 years since I first started rambling around the North Cascades. I mean what's not to like a about driving a couple hours from your warm bed, skiing up to an aesthetic couloir and tagging a purty summit with good friends?  Even if two of those friends wanted to start two hours after you did and the other friend forgot their skis and set it all back another hour?  But none of that could detract from the timeless fun of good times in the hills with old and new friends.  And, truth be told, the SNAFUs actually all worked out for the best, since we had the summit to ourselves during the only sunny spell of the day. 

And that is why, even though I've lost count of the number of times I've climbed S. Early, I will be back!

@therunningdog and Sara on the approach:

@cfire booting up the SW couloir in a squall:

The best ambiance:

The stoke was high for Sara!

Cumbre!:

Selfie:

Mind the gap:

Typical shenanigans on the descent:

The route:

Across to Golden Horn and Tower:

@cfire ready to slay the schmoo:

Whistler Peak from the highway, apres:

You don't bring an end table for TH apres snacks?

The always beautiful Silverstar between squalls:

Gear Notes:
Helmet, axe, crampons, flotation. Rope is optional, depending on your comfort with the exposure.

Approach Notes:
Park at Blue Lake TH and go up! You can't miss it.

[genepires]

nice looking day.  why didn't ya park at hairpin?

[JasonG]

Skinning up/descending that way would have been fairly unpleasant.  The snow was pretty terrible.  But hey, beats mowing the lawn!

[olyclimber]

Remembering my time with Chaps on SEWS.   Just glad to be alive.

 

Excellent use of furniture, but bring a doily for it next time! 

[Bronco]

3 hours ago, JasonG said:

Skinning up/descending that way would have been fairly unpleasant.  The snow was pretty terrible.  But hey, beats mowing the lawn!

And still better than snowshoes!

[Phil K]

No whiskey?

 

[OlympicMtnBoy]

Fun!

[JasonG]

On 5/16/2022 at 3:25 PM, Phil K said:

No whiskey?

 

It's true, we were woefully unprepared!

[JasonG]

On 5/16/2022 at 1:01 PM, olyclimber said:

but bring a doily for it next time!

Yes, the Beckey gas station napkins weren't quite up to the task.

[Chamois]

Good job.  And you got to ski