catbirdseat Posted June 16, 2003 Posted June 16, 2003 Ron, Pete, Jim and I hiked in to the Enchantments from the Snow Creek trailhead on Friday morning. There were two short showers on the way. Camped on snow near Temple Lake. Saturday morning put on crampons and hiked up to Prusik Balanced Rock and climbed the West Ridge. This was Jim's first alpine rock climb. He did great. He and I recovered what was left of someone's stuck rope, a red 8 mm, and hauled it off the mountain. Watch out for a loose block near the end of the traverse. Someone should trundle it and get it over with but we were concerned someone might be on the South Face, so didn't. Did two double rope rappels and one single rope rappel to get onto the snow. We had carried boots over the top, but not axes, or crampons so we roped up, because the snow was still very hard and the slope steep. After collecting our gear we traversed the north slopes until we were under the north face of High Priest and did the 5.5 three pitch route. We carried our packs because we wanted to go down the other side to camp. On the second pitch I climbed an enticing chimney that led to a dead end and had to rappel back down. Found the route to the left and finished the climb. There is a lot of black lichen on the rock that makes some of the moves unpleasant, especially on the first pitch. Rapped the east face w/ single rope to saddle and took the west trending gully down the south side of the ridge. Where it takes a bend to the left, we exited it by scrambling right up and over a rib into another gully that led to easy snow and right to our camp in time for supper. We were pleased to not have to retrace our steps over Prusik Pass. Slept in on Sunday morning and packed up after the sun rose and hiked out in time for beer and lunch at Duckboys in Leavenworth. Quote
catbirdseat Posted June 16, 2003 Author Posted June 16, 2003 All I can say is that I didn't get sick drinking the Cinder Cone Red. Quote
erik Posted June 16, 2003 Posted June 16, 2003 catbirdseat said: All I can say is that I didn't get sick drinking the Cinder Cone Red. if that is the i recommned ATLEAST 2 more pitchers of Dead Guy and then a shot or 4 of tequila. You will mos def get sick then! Quote
catbirdseat Posted June 16, 2003 Author Posted June 16, 2003 I am such a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, that after two glasses and a sandwich, I was out like a light in the car 5 minutes after we hit the road. Good thing I wasn't driving. Woke up at Stevens Pass feeling rested and refreshed. Quote
512dude Posted June 17, 2003 Posted June 17, 2003 Where did the snow start as you approached the upper plateau, before or after Snow Lakes? Quote
Szyjakowski Posted June 17, 2003 Posted June 17, 2003 my guess is after Snow lakes; judging by the amout in the couliers on the north side of hills in the icicle. Quote
catbirdseat Posted June 17, 2003 Author Posted June 17, 2003 512dude said: Where did the snow start as you approached the upper plateau, before or after Snow Lakes? There are patches of snow in the woods along upper Snow Lake. I broke through a snow bridge and soaked my leg up to my knee. Quote
Toast Posted June 17, 2003 Posted June 17, 2003 chucK said: Do they have clean taps? Duckboys does have clean taps Quote
Dru Posted June 18, 2003 Posted June 18, 2003 erik said: haahah thats why i didnt get it!!! yeah, cause erik would never respect waitress Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.