[TR] Mt. Pilchuck - technical ice hike- standard trail 10/30/2006

[climbaround]

Climb: Mt. Pilchuck - technical ice hike - standard trail

 

Date of Climb: 10/30/2006

 

Trip Report:

I found interesting ice conditions on the Mt. Pilchuck trail yesterday which could mean that thin early season ice might be formed in north face gullies in the area. The storm Sunday must have started with rain, then froze and turned to snow. This turned about half the trail into a skating rink (starting right out of the parking lot) - 3 inch thick water ice in many places. At first I was bummed, thinking it would slow me down too much given my short evening hike time table, but I just turned up the focus and and treated it like a solo ice climb. I stopped at the ridge crest to take pictures, but the drop in temperature got me moving after sunset before I could capture the purple sky afterglow (my dedication to photography does have limits!). The seriousness of the descent by myself in the dark hit home when I thought about how a bad slip might result in a broken bone leading to frostbite or worse. I stuck to the sides of the trail in the dry snow for the most part, at times with one foot on either side in a quick shuffle, so my feet only slipped twice and I never took a fall. Another unique adventure on a familiar little mountain.

 

Gear Notes:

Shoulda had wind pants and a warm parka.

 

Approach Notes:

Water ice over much of the trail

Edited October 31, 2006 by climbaround

[Farrgo]

Have any pics?

[swbkrun]

Very Interesting... Crampons a must?

[max]

Nice report. Hope to see this style more.