[TR] White Chuck Mountain- Northwest Ridge 11/28/2004

[mattp]

Climb: White Chuck Mountain-Northwest Ridge

 

Date of Climb: 11/28/2004

 

Trip Report:

Today, I climbed White Chuck Mountain with my friend the HanMan. On this rare sunny day in the last weekend of November, we were treated with great views of all our favorite Darrington area crags (‘cept Exfoliation Dome), as well as views of just about every mountain between Mount Baker and Mount Rainier, with the Olympics to the west and Mount Stuart visible in the distant southeast. White Chuck is a spectacular peak and, though our feet were tired when we returned to the truck, it is a relatively easy objective even at this time of the year - a time of short days and generally sub-optimal snow conditions.

 

The approach listed in the Beckey guide is out-dated. New roads reach very high on a satellite ridge NW of the Mountain, and though Mark's Jimmy only took us to about 4,000 feet, we were treated to a snowmobile track all the way up to 5,000 feet, and about a mile and a half northwest of the summit. The correct spur is an extension of road # 2435 that rund up an unnamed creek valley just southwest of the upper headwaters of Decline Creek, and ends up on a ridge above Conn Creek. You should have no trouble identifying it – if today is any indication. While we were climbing, it looked as if half the population of Snohomish County had been up there with every manner of snowmobile, quad, jeep and skis.

 

The route beyond the road end is obvious: it follows a ridgecrest leading toward the NW peak of White Chuck and then drops slightly to traverse beneath the cliffs of the Northwest Peak and into a basin below the West face of the main peak.

 

From here, we climbed the regular "Northwest Route" described by Beckey, in variable conditions mostly either sun-warmed slop over a raincrust, or a thin layer of unconsolidated snow on rock. Higher up, the snow slopes were hollow to the kick as the raincrust seemed to reverberate accross obvious wind-pillows. We gingerly picked our way along the ridge leading to the summit, traveling mostly on the very exposed benches overhanging the West face. A short bit of rime ice on rock added some spice. A few cornices offered another alpine challenge.

 

The ridge was a little tedious due to the snow conditions, but it was worth it. At the summit, we saw a whole new collection of peaks off to the east, the HanMan pulled a thermos full of hot soup out of his pack and we gulped down a Red Bull. I took advantage of the calm conditions to fire a victory cigar, and then we crept downward once again.

 

Though there had been quite a jamboree taking place in the clearcuts below, we never saw anyone else all day -- except one Christmas tree cutter headed down the road too slowly when we were in a hurry to get back to Darrington for some coffee and jo jo's at the Darrington City Hall gas station.

 

It was a nice day in the mountains

 

Gear Notes:

Snowshoes, crampons, ice axe - for sure. We brought along a rope and a couple pieces of gear "just in case," but never used them.

 

 

 

Approach Notes:

Beckey's approach information is outdated.

 

The current trailhead is not in the area between Conn and Black Oak Creek, but on a high ridge about a mile north and nearly a thousand feet higher - on the divide between Conn Creek and Decline Creek. Access is via Road 2435, NOT 2436.

 

Also, the driving approach is made via Road 24 from the Sauk Prairie Road, and the not from the Road 22 along the Sauk River.

[klenke]

Where are the pictures? I want pictures! I want pictures!

[hanman]

Pics tomorrow due to technical difficulties- many nice views and a good day in them thar hills.

 

MH

[mattp]

The Man:

[turn_one]

holy crap mark, you didn't wear the green shirt this time, finally dissolve on you? and are those 'blue jeans'?