belayerslayer Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Trip: Shuksan/Tomyhoi (conditions) - Date: 12/17/2008 Trip Report: Not so much a trip report as a brief conditions update. With the forecast for monday/tuesday looking crisp, cold, and clear, Shuksan's white salmon route seemed a feasible option. Shoulda studied the approach details more carefully Secured Anthony(dabears) as an ever-willing partner and made the drive up to the white salmon lodge. Road in great shape all the way up - little snow and ice closer to the lodge. Our "attempt" started and ended from inside the warmth and comfort of my truck. While we admired the western aspect of Shuksan, the sun's fading light encouraged us to abandon our climb. [img:center]http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c82/LGullberg/IMG_0469.jpg[/img] Being a north cascades newbie, I couldn't figure out from nelson's guide where the approach starts from the lodge. The white salmon was totally visible from the lot, but I've heard stories about how hard it is cross country through the valley. Factor in approaching darkness; Anthony and I were content to watch the sun fade and turn to other options. Smoot's guide indicated that Tomyhoi Peak lay close enough for a one day ascent, without too much driving from our current location. Found the Twin Lakes road (3065) and took it for just over five miles. Easy driving for 1.5 miles until snow and ice began building up; flicked 4x4 on. Guidebook indicates its about 4.2 miles up to the trailhead but we failed to see any signs so we kept going until the snow came up to the axle. Stopped here and pulled out the snowshoes. Took a walk for about 3/4 mile and didn't see any sign of a trail, so we guessed we passed it on the way up [img:center]http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c82/LGullberg/IMG_0487.jpg[/img] Newbs [img:center]http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c82/LGullberg/IMG_0494.jpg[/img] Driving backwards proved considerably more difficult and time consuming. Got the truck stuck once; thank god I brought chains! Backed up to a sharp turn in the road and saw a bathroom off to the side. Signs a little higher up told us we were in the right spot. Shoulda paid more attention to the odometer! [img:center]http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c82/LGullberg/IMG_0497.jpg[/img] "Sleeping" was painful - single digits easily, maybe colder, not really sure. Everything froze. 15+ sleeping bag not adequate Fought through a couple early cellphone alarms, until the cold drove us to get up and move around. Absolutely clear and still morning air, very cold. Put on the snowshoes and light packs, then started up the trail. Saw one other car pull up with a guy on skis and a dog. Didn't see where he headed. The snowshoe in was perfect; wound up the hillside and received stunning views of shuksan and baker. This remote area of the nc is sure inspiring. [img:center]http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c82/LGullberg/IMG_0514.jpg[/img] Came to a crossroads, left to yellow aster butte, right to tomyhoi lake - only there was no trail heading through the snow. I already figured we werent tagging any summit today, so I started kicking steps up the hill toward a ridgeline. Grand summits met our view. Spotted a lake (tomyhoi?) in the basin far below us and assumed the peak was situated above it, opposite the direction we were heading. [img:center]http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c82/LGullberg/IMG_0534.jpg[/img] Two other snowshoers caught up to our tracks and we chatted briefly. One of them indicated the rightmost peak is yellow aster butte, which didn't seem to make sense to me. Anyone know these peaks and could kindly name them? Are these considered the 'american border peaks' or part of some other range? [img:center]http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c82/LGullberg/IMG_0528.jpg[/img] Absolutely stunning summits! Beautiful, calm, remote, spectacular. Definitely heading back this way in the spring! All in all, not a bad trip - nice to check out some new areas and stretch the legs. [img:center]http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c82/LGullberg/IMG_0527.jpg[/img] Gear Notes: snowshoes, handwarmers (6 of ours failed) Approach Notes: 4x4/all-wheel drive/chains reccomended for twin lakes road. Stop at Graham's Restaurant in Glacier for post-climbing chow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jshamster Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Pyramid looking peak in your pic is Larabee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trent Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Peaks are from right to left: Larabee, American Border, Canadian Border. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc_leclerc Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Left hand peak is Canadian border Peak, Center Peak is Amreican Border Peak, Right hand peak is Larabee... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottgg Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Cool photos Slayer! Gotta check that guidebook next time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belayerslayer Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 going back to "guidebook school" - check. MapSource indicates a summit called 'The Pleiades'(7195 ft) should be somewhere in that range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannible Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 going back to "guidebook school" - check. MapSource indicates a summit called 'The Pleiades'(7195 ft) should be somewhere in that range? A tad east of Larabee. It's a group of peaks along a ridge, on the far right in this picture: http://danhilden.smugmug.com/gallery/4602605_QEUuc#422250763_k4AYU-L-LB Sorry that I'm too lazy to post it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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