[TR] Tatoosh Range- Pinnacle Peak 12/11/2005

[alpineyeti]

Climb: Tatoosh Range-Pinnacle Peak

 

Date of Climb: 12/11/2005

 

Trip Report:

Headed out from Narada Falls parking lot just as the sun was setting Saturday night. Had a great snowshoe in under bright moon, making for some incredable mid-night snowshoeing later that night. After a modified alpine start, Sean and I followed the ski track up to the saddle east of the castle. No obvious tracks to the saddle between Castle and Pinnacle. After a quick bite we circled back under Castle to the saddle below Pinnacle, casting worried glances at a couple of cornices hanging off of our intended route. All fears proved to be unfounded, however, becasue the corinices were really small and did not impact the route. Once on the ridge, we had a quick scramble to the top. The entire time, the mighty mountain kept looming over us, calling to us! We could easily see the boot track up to Muir, reflecting in the sun!

Exposure on this route is awesome. We chose to use a rope and use a running belay due to exposure, snow, and massive amounts of loose rock. Good fun!

 

Gear Notes:

small alpine rack: Handful of nuts and a cam. Few slings.

 

Approach Notes:

Snowshoes or skis a must due to fresh snow. Still a wallow with the shoes. Wish I had my board! Check avi conditions too!

Edited December 15, 2005 by alpineyeti

[cluck]

Cool - sounds like you did the East Ridge?

[alpineyeti]

East ridge would best describe the route we did. We tried as much as possible to keep the climb spicy, climbing the ridge proper, trying to take the steepest line. Good practice for climbing in plastics!

[catbirdseat]

I wonder if avy conditions will be too severe this Sunday.

[Kraken]

sounds illa' than mcguyver, dudes. Hopefully I'll have a chance to explore the Tatoosh more this summer. Did you cats get any pictures? Total time? Crux?