ptarmigan traverse late June, early July

[seredude]

Wanted to know if anyone can speak to the Ptarmigan Traverse in late June/early July. Wanted to know general snow conditions and glacier conditions, i.e. good snow bridges, moats? etc. Trying to plan a trip but have never walked the route. Any beta on the route would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Alex]

It will be fine. I've done (most of) it July 4th weekend one year, and it was very easy travel. If we get more snow, you might be able to ski it well into June. (It gets more difficult into late Aug and Sept, because the snow finally melts and reveals ankle-twisting scree, and whatever brief glacier navigation becomes more interesting in a few choice spots.)

[AllYouCanEat]

I would read this thread: http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=6150.0

 

The road to the suiattle is washed out. You'd be adding 12 miles or so. Not a problem. I would just add time. I'm sure the trail is full of downed trees too. Again, just add time. As for beta, there is a lot of information if you search the web. This has been an avg year for snow.

 

Good luck. I did it in august last year and it was a wonderful time Here is a link to that trip which will give you an idea of what it looks like that time of year and maybe some info: http://www.cascadecrusades.org/hiking/ptarmigantraverse/pt2006/pt2006.htm

Edited February 14, 2007 by AllYouCanEat

[pete_a]

heres the TR i wrote from doing the traverse the first week in July last summer

 

Trip report

 

glacier crossings were cake that time of year...there was a snow moat at red ledges that made for some spicy scrambling, so we detoured around it via an adjacent snow gully...that was the only puzzle we encountered.

[seredude]

Thanks for all the info. Looks like the trip is on.

[goatboy]

Hey ALL You can Eat,

 

Your website -- and the photos of the Ptarmigan -- are absolutely spectacular. Nice work!