[TR] Prusik - West Ridge 6/15/2013

[YocumRidge]

Trip: Prusik - West Ridge

 

Date: 6/15/2013

 

Trip Report:

Summer heat, permits, crowds somewhat thwarted my previous visits of this beautiful peak in the Enchantments. So, the current plan was to hit it up earlier in the year.

Cameron and I left PDX on Fri pm and rolled in the Stuart lake P-lot in the dusk where we slept in the dirt until 4 a.m.

 

The approach was pleasantly chilly, the Aasgard pass was still snow covered and the Enchantments still nicely frozen.

 

Aasgard pass in the morning:

 

The Temple Ridge comes into view:

 

 

 

After dropping one pack and O/N gear at the Gnome Tarn, we made quick progress to the Balancing rock, roped up and went up the ridge.

 

 

At the balancing rock:

 

Start of the ridge:

 

 

 

Easy, fast and enjoyable climbing on solid granite and very minimal gear (3-4 pieces total) until the summit block.

 

Cameron on the slab:

 

On the traverse:

 

In the dihedral:

 

Cameron coming up the dihedral:

 

 

Cameron heading up the OW (Not-Axe-friendly) chimney with some interesting moves:

 

 

Looking down from the chimney:

 

 

I made up the chimney with some aid moves, thanks to the axe that got successfully stuck in it.

 

 

On the summit at 2 pm:

 

 

 

After spending 10 min for extracting the nut that got wedged as a result of my aid moves , we rapped the north side which still had some snow on it.

 

And occasional ice on the traverse back to the balancing rock:

 

 

Luckily, the goats did not drag our gear and food away while we were up on the ridge, so we pitched in the tent and finally enjoyed some solid food.

 

 

On the hike out next morning, we run into the usual suspects:

 

 

Gear Notes:

60 m rope, rack to 2" (brought way more than we used)

 

Approach Notes:

Stuart Lake TH

[dougd]

The snaffle in the last pic appears to be glowering at the photographer...

 

Nice TR of a very pleasant outing Nastia.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

d

[KaskadskyjKozak]

 

Molodets', devushka!!

[mthorman]

Love all the pics. It looks like a fun mellow route!

[bd2510]

Anastasia prettymuch summed it up, but if you are extra curious, I wrote a brief description here: http://nobolts.blogspot.com/2013/06/6152013-prusik-peak.html

[wdietsch]

Thanks for sharing .... looks like a lot less snow than last year at the same time.