[TR] North Cascades, WA - Ptarmigan Traverse, South to North (plus Dome, Ger 7/21/2009

[Steph_Abegg]

Trip: North Cascades, WA - Ptarmigan Traverse, South to North (plus Dome, German Helmet, Mixup)

 

Date: 7/14-19/2009

 

Trip Report:

With all this good weather we have been having, it was a good time for a trip like the Ptarmigan Traverse, which is a popular high-level alpine trek through some of the most beautiful glaciated mountains of the North Cascades. Most parties do the traverse N to S, but my friend Josh and I chose to hike it S to N as the original party had done, and so that we could get the shwacky ascent up Bachelor Creek over with....

 

I used this trip as an opportunity to do some night photography. We also brought a small climbing rack and climbed three summits along the way: Dome Peak, German Helmet (a fun 5.5 climb not often done), and E Face of Mixup Peak.

 

As usual, I have posted a full TR with lots of photos on my website:

http://sabegg.googlepages.com/ptarmigantraverse2

 

Here are a few images:

 

Map of Ptarmigan Traverse showing route and major peaks:

 

Night 2: 1 minute exposure of moon over Dome Peak from camp near Dome-Dana Col:

 

Night 3: 16 minute exposure from camp near summit of Dome Peak:

 

Night 4: 9 minute exposure of star trails over Dome Peak from camp at White Rock Lake:

 

Night 5: 30 minute exposure of star trails over glowing tent at camp at Kool-Aid Lake with Formidable in distance:

 

 

Movie from the summit of German Helmet:

[video:youtube]

 

Again, I have posted a full TR with lots of photos on my website:

http://sabegg.googlepages.com/ptarmigantraverse2

 

Edited July 21, 2009 by Steph_Abegg

[XXX]

Wow that first picture is amazing.

[olyclimber]

Nice!

[Le Piston]

Spectacular pictures. Makes me wish I had a full week off 2 weeks ago...I would have loved to climb Formidable, Dome and others instead of just Spider and Magic. Looks like you had an awesome trip...keep up the good work.

[mountainsloth]

excellent use of time!

[chimbo]

That third picture is awesome. Nice job and thanks for sharing.

[Jimmy J]

That's an awesome production, Thread of Ice.......

 

[Joe_Poulton]

The Glacier recession comparison is brutal...I love climbing ice and it's all melting. Cool shots.