[TR] Mount Stuart - Cascadian Couloir 7/15/2012

[akselk]

Trip: Mount Stuart - Cascadian Couloir

 

Date: 7/15/2012

 

Trip Report:

We climbed the Cascadian Couloir in a long day (first time for both of us). There's not much snow anymore on the route. The only snow patches of any significance are on the north side of Longs Pass and right before the false summit. Ice axe and helmet are necessary, maybe crampons depending on how cold the snow is. The bulk of the couloir is sandy and full of loose rocks, so not really very pleasant. I'd still do it in a single day instead of carrying a heavy pack around especially because the pack is light without any climbing gear. But going when there is snow (and skiing down?) would probably be a lot more pleasant.

Coming down from Longs Pass, after the snow, the trail is mostly a creek at the moment but turns to dry trail soon after and is easy to follow all the way to Ingalls Creek. We found a log crossing over Ingalls Creek that was a little slippery. The turnoff to the Cascadian Couloir from the trail is quite obvious - the trail is right there once you reach the green meadow on the slope past the trees. In the very sandy gully, we tended to stay on climber's left going up where the ground was a bit firmer. There are very few cairns once the meadow ends until you reach the ridgeline where you must go climber's left onto the snowfield to the false summit. Traversing left around the false summit definitely looks easier now than climbing up and over it. On the way down, we stayed climber's right where it was a bit more pleasant to plunge step in the sand. Beware of kicking rocks down though. We filtered water at Ingalls Creek on the way out. There was no water in the couloir itself.

 

Gear Notes:

Ice axe, helmet. Crampons may be necessary.

[climberjesse]

Hey did you get any pictures looking Southish at the Ingalls peak area. I am looking at taking a new climber up Ingalls and am curious how much snow is lingering.

[Farrgo]

I was looking at Ingall's area from Stuart yesterday. I was a little surprised how much snow there was lingering. I'm sure the climb is just fine but everything else including the lake appeared frozen.

[akselk]

There is plenty of snow in Ingalls. I'm headed there this Sunday actually. The lake was totally frozen and plenty of snow around it.

Here's a recent report: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2012-07-22.4904403841

Edited July 28, 2012 by akselk