benny h Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 (edited) Trip: Columbia Peak - Monte Cristo Group 6/20/12 - West Spur Date: 6/20/2012 Trip Report: Tuesday, June 19th: Headed out to the abandoned mining town of Monte Cristo via Barlow Pass on the mountain loop highway. I'd been meaning to climb either Monte Cristo, Kyes or Columbia Peak for some time. The weather was classic shmooey on-again, off again, drizzle with nothing substantial to report. I opted for attempting Columbia Peak. I made my up toward Silver lake to Poodle Dog Pass, and followed the SE trending ridge toward Twin lakes. A ranger at the FS station East of Granite Falls reported that snow shoes would be needed to hike up to Silver Lake. This was not the case. The snow was decently compacted with virtually no post-holing to report. I made camp in a low saddle between the Silver Lake and Twin Lakes. Wednesday June 20th: Alpine start. Weather had cleared, snow was firm. Crampons and ice ax were sufficient to ascent the West Spur of Columbia peak. The final 400 - 500ft snow field on the NNW aspect appeared much steeper from a distance that it actually was. Snow conditions were ideal: Slightly crusty along the surface and less dense but well consolidated beneath. Followed the Beckey description the entire way. His rating goes at Grade I, class 3 terrain, with some decent exposure. There was certainly an appreciable amount of exposure: over 1500ft between the upper snow field and Twin Lakes below. An unsuccessful arrest along this snow field would be catastrophic. The weather, snow conditions, and time of day (shade until ~ 10am) were favorable and the climbing straight forward. The only crux aside from the lengthy run-out was where to enter onto the snow field from the West Spur. Multiple opportunities exists; as the snow melts out, rock scrambling. Super fun solo climb. Gear included ice ax and crampons. Certainly some options to link up climbs on the Wilmamns Peaks, Monte Cristo or Kyes. There was evidence of a recent large rock fall / avalanche on the upper north west aspect of the '76 glacier. looking up to the route [img:left][/img] Wilman's Spires across '76 gultch [img:left][/img] Looking up to the final aspect of the ascent. [img:left][/img] Summit view to the North with Sloan in the center. [img:left][/img] Summit view East [img:left][/img] Monte Cristo and Glacier [img:left][/img] Stoked. [img:left][/img] Scenic route. [img:left][/img] Looking up last bit of the route while descending. [img:left][/img] More of the upper snow field. [img:left][/img] POV on descent. [img:left][/img] View down the West Spur [img:left][/img] '76 Glacier [img:left][/img] [img:left][/img] Looking back up the West Spur [img:left][/img] Sunlight light on the route by ~ 10am on the Summer Solstice. [img:left][/img] Parting Shot while hiking along the S. Fork of the Sauk back to Barlow Pass. Columbia is on the right. [img:left][/img] Gear Notes: Crampons, Ice Ax Approach Notes: 4 mile river walk from Barlow Pass to abandoned mining town of Monte Cristo. A local historic group has done a great job maintaining the town working on the trail. Edited June 30, 2012 by benny h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curtveld Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 (edited) Sounds like an excellent solo outing! There's still time to upload a couple photos so you can qualify for the TR contest. Edited June 29, 2012 by curtveld Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonG Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 That is one of my all time favorite scrambles, thanks for the report! And, as Curt said, post some pics in the TR so you can get entered into the contest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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