[TR] Little Tahoma - Fryingpan/Whitman Glacier 6/15/2009

[bgratias]

Trip: Little Tahoma - Fryingpan/Whitman Glacier

 

Date: 6/15/2009

 

Trip Report:

My brother and I climbed Little Tahoma a couple of years ago. I can't say that it is a great climb, but it is in a terrific position. We left the trail head at around 8pm, and bivied at an awesome spot, right at the toe of the glacier, for the night. The approach would probably be nicer a little earlier in the season, because we ended up climbing through a bunch of loose boulders to get out of the valley. It didn't help that it was dark though. The next morning was basically a slog up through the notch to the climbers left of Little T, and a bit further around the base. Off the glacier, the route becomes loose volcanic rock. Not great climbing. We didn't have any rockfall issues though, and the weather and views were so good that we were having a great time! We used a rope for the summit ridge because of the loose rock, other parties probably wouldn't need one. Slings were the only things that offered protection, but they were pretty iffy. No need to rappel on the descent. A fun climb!

 

This is still my favorite bivy spot ever. Walls on three sides and a smooth sandy floor.

 

Rainier and Little Tahoma that night. The route goes to the left of Little Tahoma through an obvious notch.

 

Quality climbing!

 

Adams

 

From here, Little Tahoma is clearly taller than Rainier.

 

Such a cool position, but such a stupid pose.

 

Down climbing the summit ridge on impeccable rock.

 

Climbers on the DC route.

 

Gear Notes:

Red shorts and sunblock.