[TR] Mt. Challenger - Whatcom Pass 8/12/2007

Whatcomboy · August 22, 2007

Trip: Mt. Challenger - Whatcom Pass

Date: 8/12/2007

Trip Report:

Norman and I headed up to Hannegen Pass on Sunday evening August 12th. We crossed the Chilliwack River early Monday morning (the log is gone) and headed across Easy Ridge with a good weather forcast. We decided to go Low Slogged up to Perfect Pass with good views and the mountain to ourselves. In the morning we quickly picked our way thru a very crevassed glacier and arrived at the Bergschrund. It was at least 20 ft across and completely melted out. With no way across, Norman wanted to backtrack a few hundred yards and pick a way up onto the route thru a narrow step. It was very steep and exposed. I bailed...after a little while Norman said O.K. and down we went, looking back up at the route we would have gone. Another fantastic night at Perfect Pass, and on Wednesday morning we broke camp and headed up steep snow to the southwest ridge of Whatcom Peak and simul climbed to the summit. Good rock with steep exposure on both sides. We headed down the North Ridge on much looser rock, placing some pro as needed. We finally got to snow fields and talus and made camp at Whatcom Pass with some hikers; the first people we'd seen in 3 days. The hike back out to Hannegen Pass was long and uneventful except for a cool cable car crossing over the Chilliwack River. Friday at noon we ended the trip by stopping for a burger and beer at Grahams in Glacier.