Jump to content

[TR] Mt Stuart - West Ridge 08/20/2022


bellows

Recommended Posts

Trip: Mt Stuart - West Ridge

Trip Date: 08/20/2022

Trip Report:

What a classic route, total type 1 fun climbing at its best.  My wife and I climbed it over two relaxing days last weekend.  Beta is plentiful, so here’s pics.

Headlight basin, one of my favorite approaches in the Cascades.

IMG_6816.JPG.3b4ca24c3ba37e65de494f346ac9a647.JPG


Ingalls Lake, last flowing water until the next day.

IMG_6821.JPG.62786cc8aa04a2c0c2df8d75bd458b33.JPG

We’re going here!

IMG_6826.JPG.33b364a9e0225d7082aaf7efbe52f7ac.JPG

Starting up the super fun 3rd/4th class Staircase.

IMG_6845.JPG.43134b47444c40da136e312503cb9efd.JPG


Looking across to Long John’s Tower.  Intimidating to look at, easy to scramble up on the right.

IMG_6866.JPG.db815eb8f338b9b5c9fcf6cd10ecc9ac.JPG


Settled in for a high bivy above LJT notch.  The alpenglow from the setting sun was incredible.  We stayed up late enjoying the ambiance and watched the stars and Milky Way come out.  

IMG_6877.JPG.74f613f899f029b9f71cbb3f29fbfe0e.JPGIMG_6874.JPG.1f2876626ee56b429db3571628051405.JPG

Then the weirdest thing, a long string of lights moving steadily across the night sky then disappearing made us question our reality.  UFO?  Turns out it was the same thing Oly saw over on the peninsula:
https://westseattleblog.com/2022/08/heres-what-that-bright-streak-in-the-sky-was/

 

Lazy start in the morning.

IMG_6886.JPG.f83924c3dd4770ba9a101f717767a0c7.JPG


Snow available for water near the West Ridge Notch.

IMG_6896.JPG.217c8bbf151d6c7b2c17e21e1f0b3909.JPG


Somewhere on the summit block, maybe pitch 3?  It all seemed pretty mellow follow-your-nose easy 5th climbing.

IMG_6898.JPG.6cae12c026034fac44b2a525fca08b24.JPGIMG_6905.JPG.e7e93188889eb68eea46f5aa7dd841ab.JPG

 

Summit!  Saw several folks up top, one soloist who started from the car about the time we were waking up (an impressive 4 hours up the WR), two guys attempting the Stuart Range Traverse to Asguard in a day, and several scramblers up & down the Cascadian.

IMG_6912.JPG.ac256f1234721aab50803942a69b90d4.JPG

 

The descent was less enjoyable, Katie's first time experiencing the Cascadian and she said she wants to downclimb the WR next time.  Finally the slog up to Longs Pass gave us a parting view of Stuart and the route.

IMG_6934.JPG.4fca571135f5330436d714b1eef40dc4.JPG

Back at the truck, tired but mentally refreshed as always.IMG_6937.JPG.447712ac2c7c2bb920a7af043abf8469.JPG

 

 

Gear Notes:
Rope and minimal rack. No axe or crampons necessary.

Approach Notes:
This field is required?
  • Like 2
  • Snaffled 1
  • Rawk on! 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, bellows said:

Then the weirdest thing, a long string of lights moving steadily across the night sky then disappearing made us question our reality.  UFO?  Turns out it was the same thing Oly saw over on the peninsula:

Saw this over Stuart two springs ago before I knew what it was. Gave me the chills. I was pretty sure the aliens were here and it was all over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...