KaskadskyjKozak Posted October 1, 2012 Posted October 1, 2012 Trip: Observation Rock - North Face Date: 9/30/2012 Trip Report: My friend JP and I climbed Observation Rock yesterday. We camped at the walk-in at Mowich Lake and started out with headlamps at about 5:30 am. It was cold at night (about 40) and we walked on some ground hoar frost on the upper part of Spray Park trail. This boded well for nice firm snow on the route. A stream was even frozen on the ridge below the route, coming off the snow fields below the glacier: My partner has not done a steep snow climb yet, so I led out first. I wanted to simulclimb if possible as the slope is pretty mellow at the bottom. JP was cool with that. I ended up placing 3 pickets then set up an anchor that seemed just over a rope length from the top, and brought up JP: To my surprise JP wanted to lead the second pitch, so I pointed out a spot to shoot for that seemed to be a good belay. When he got there though, there was about 40 feet of rope left and I encouraged him to just top out. He was about 6 feet short, so we just simulclimbed that bit and he hip belayed me from the top. It is worth noting that rockfall was minimal. At the top it was sunny and surprisingly warm, even hot with convection waves visibly rising from the volcanic, mooonscape rock. We scrambled to the summit, where one solo hiker was just heading out. Summit view of the Nordwand of Rainier: We then headed down, passing a few more hikers on the scramble route. I'm sure the NPS does not approve of rock walls, bivy sites, etc, especially the one below, which is one of the most impressive and elaborate sites I have ever seen anywhere: The hike out was quite pleasant, as it always is in summer and fall in Spray Park. Here is a parting shot, with our route the obvious snow ramp on the right. Gear Notes: 4 pickets, ice axe, 2nd tool, helmet. Approach Notes: Dry and dusty. Quote
YocumRidge Posted October 1, 2012 Posted October 1, 2012 Nice work, S! There is a bivy site like that at 8500' on the crest of Ptarmigan ridge: but then you have no choice but go and climb/ski Mowich Face Quote
KaskadskyjKozak Posted October 1, 2012 Author Posted October 1, 2012 Nice work, S! There is a bivy site like that at 8500' on the crest of Ptarmigan ridge: but then you have no choice but go and climb/ski Mowich Face Right now Ptarmigan Ridge looks... scary, but earlier season, it would be tough to resist climbing once you get this far. :-) Quote
mkporwit Posted October 1, 2012 Posted October 1, 2012 Nice job, KK and JP. I love the views of Rainier from that climb, and you had a stellar weather window for it Quote
OlegV Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 Ok, Stephen - now we should do the NF of Hood. It looks similar to what you guys climbed! Quote
YocumRidge Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 now we should do the NF of Hood. And right now it comes with the pretty green undertones. If we get lucky and it freezes next week, you should be able to plug a screw into that compound Photo by OlegV: Quote
KaskadskyjKozak Posted October 4, 2012 Author Posted October 4, 2012 Ok, Stephen - now we should do the NF of Hood. It looks similar to what you guys climbed! Ne ickushaj menya Quote
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