[TR] Mount Harvey - North Face Ramp 01/25/2025

[JasonG]

Trip: Mount Harvey - North Face Ramp

Trip Date: 01/25/2025

Trip Report:

What a nice spell of climbing weather we had to start off 2025!  I'm glad that @geosean suggested the NF ramp of Harvey, a climb I had done a couple of times before, but not for a long while.  Last time I was on it,  it was quite thin and sporty, but the word on the street said it was in fine nick and so plans were hatched to make a trip north and see if Canada was still allowing Americans to enter.  @BrettS and Mike rounded out our team and we all met early in Bellingham Saturday morning.  I think it only took about an hour and a half, including border crossing to make it to the TH from Bellingham- it is easy to forget what great options exist just a little bit north.

The Trailhead was already filling up when we arrived a bit before 8 and we quickly paid the parking fee and started up the dry logging road at something like a dispiriting 650' elevation.  It is a bit of a grunt up to the start of the route, but you get good views early on the hike in:

In the 13 years since I'd last climbed it, the route has gotten mildly popular and there were several teams in front of us and at least one behind.  A steady stream of ice and snow chunks rained down the ramp as we geared up and started off simul-soloing.  We had the gear and rope ready, just in case, as @Don_Serl recommends in the link above, but they stayed packed away as we climbed higher and higher with perfect conditions and ample steps to draft off of.  I was reminded what a great and pleasant climb it was, in a fine position!

But almost too soon, the angle mellowed and we were at the top of the ramp, looking across the steep traverse that guards access to the easy ridge that finishes on the summit.  Some times this portion is a crux, but not this day.  It was practically a sidewalk and we enjoyed posing for some photos with dramatic views of Howe Sound below:

And then we hit the final ridge, sun and views.  @geosean walking just below the top:

We stopped just short of the summit to eat lunch, take off the technical gear, and admire the excellent views all around.  The Standard route on Harvey (our descent) is quite the popular outing on a nice winter's day and we didn't want to be in the scrum on the actual summit.  This was a good call on busy Saturday, and we could look south to Baker, Puget Sound, and the Lions in peace:

To the west were the endless Coast Mountains, Howe Sound, and Anvil Island:

But, a winter's day, even a perfect one, is over too quickly, and we had to begin the descent before we tired of the views and position.  The good thing is that the first quarter of the descent is almost as spectacular as the climb:

And then it was back to the road, the car, beers, and chips.  I think it was less than 7 hours car to car and was entirely one of the more pleasant winter climbs that I have done in years.  I hope that it isn't another 13 years until my next visit!

 

 

Gear Notes:
helmet, axe, second tool, steel crampons. If it is in thin shape you may want a rope and some snow/ice pro, but it is also a comfortable solo for a lot of fatter winter conditions. If you need snowshoes it is probably not in great shape. Beware avy danger!

Approach Notes:
The Lions Trail. Arrive early to get a spot and don't forget to pay!