[TR] Snowfield, Pyramid, Pinnacle, Stump, Colonial - 7/25/2012

[Steph_Abegg]

Trip: Snowfield, Pyramid, Pinnacle, Stump, Colonial -

 

Date: 7/23-25/2012

 

Trip Report:

= Snowfield from the summit of Colonial.

 

From July 23-25, my sister and I enjoyed a fabulous climbing, glacier traversing, and high camping adventure in the Snowfield area. We climbed Snowfield, Pyramid, Pinnacle, Paul Bunyan's Stump, and Colonial. The weather looked a bit questionable, but NOAA promised sun for the second and third day. Sure enough, after arriving at camp in a chilly white out the first day, we woke up surrounded by mountains gleaming under the cloudless and calm skies. The Cascades at its best.

 

Full Trip Report:

I've posted a full trip report (maps, route overlays, about 50 photos, commentary, and the adventures of a tiny stuffed mountain goat) on my website. Unfortunately, because of the way I have formatted it, I cannot directly copy and paste my html into nwhikers, so you'll have to go to my website to see the photos.

http://www.stephabegg.com/home/tripreports/washington/northcascades/snowfieldslam

 

Map of Travels:

= GPS Route Lines.

 

Day 1: From Pyramid Lake trailhead (1150 ft) on HWY 20, we hiked 2.1 miles to Pyramid Lake (2600 ft), then followed a climbers' trail steeply south to the ridge crest and then along the ridge to the base of Pyramid Peak. Here, we set up the tent and weathered out inclement weather for a few hours, then packed up, descended to the Colonial Glacier, traversed/ascended to the Colonial-Neve Glacier col (6840 ft), set up camp, and did logic puzzles for the rest of the evening. (6.6 miles, 7130' gain, 1640' loss, 7 hours)

 

= Summer in the Cascades.

= We took a compass heading and followed it to our camp at the Colonial-Neve Glacier Col.

= Weather patterns in the Cascades never cease to amaze me. A starry clear night.

 

Day 2: Climbed Snowfield Peak (8347 ft) via its standard West Ridge route. Attempted to climb the Horseman but decided against it when we encountered slippery black lichen. We proceeded to scramble up a couple of small spires along the ridge to the west before we descended the Neve Glacier back to the Colonial-Neve Glacier col. Climbed Pyramid Peak (7182 ft) via its standard South Slope route. Then climbed Pinnacle Peak (7360 ft) via its North Ridge and descended via its SW Route. Then climbed Paul Bunyan's Stump (7480 ft) via its SW Route. Returned to camp at the Colonial-Neve Glacier col. (9.7 miles, 6230' gain/loss, 13 hours)

 

= Route up Snowfield.

= Heading for the west ridge (right skyline).

= Class 3 scramble to summit.

= On the summit of Snowfield.

= We spent the afternoon on a Pyramid-Pinnacle-Stump tour.

= The easy ascent of Pyramid.

= Some exposed 4th class on the North Ridge of Pinnacle.

= A lone snowball.

= We couldn't resist making a snowman.

= The pretty green SW route on Paul Bunyan's Stump.

= Our camp at the Colonial-Neve Glacier col was worth the extra effort to get there.

 

Day 3: Packed up camp and descended to the Colonial Glacier. Climbed Colonial Peak (7771 ft) via its standard West Ridge route. Hiked out to the car the same way we came in. (7.2 miles, 2320' gain, 7880' loss, 9 hours)

 

= The standard route up Colonial.

= Steep snow on Colonial.

= At the notch just below the summit. From here, an off route adventure ensued for us.

= Pretty rocks in the Colonial basin.

 

A great trip!

Edited July 26, 2012 by Steph_Abegg

[Teh Phuzzy]

Great photos as always. That summit pinnacle shot of you on yer site is HAWT!

 

Sorry to hear about your socks

[wfinley]

Great to be reading your write-ups once again. Congratulations on a full recovery. Looking forward to many more stories and pictures.

[markwebster]

Awesome tr! Beautiful photos.

[mountainsloth]

Always love your write ups. Ice worms are cool!