[TR] Eldorado - Eldorado Glacier- Car-to-Car 7/22/2013

[mountainmb]

Trip: Eldorado - Eldorado Glacier- Car-to-Car

 

Date: 7/22/2013

 

Trip Report:

This Monday we did a really fun and scenic car-to-car climb of Eldorado. Although it was very hot, snow conditions were acceptable. A bit slushy, but nothing too terrible. The glacier was super mellow, crevasses easily avoided, and the infamous knife edge summit wasn't the least bit sketchy. We ended up placing protection, but it wasn't really necessary and mainly just for practice. There was hardly a cloud in the sky and we were rewarded with fantastic views! Baker, Shuksan, Rainier, TFT, and many more were out in full force.

 

All in all, it was a low commitment high reward sort of an afternoon. We took about 9.5 hours car-to-car and were back in Seattle with plenty of time to grab pizza and beer at a reasonable hour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approach Notes:

It was incredibly buggy at the trailhead with swarms of giant mosquitos and big fat biting flies. The climb through the woods to get to the talus field was pretty darn steep. We were both drenched in sweat by the time we reached the boulder field. Navigation through the talus field was no big deal. If you look closely, there are numerous cairns that mark the path of least resistance. After two boulder fields, you shall be rewarded by not one by TWO lovely waterfalls and an alpine meadow that is simply stunning. From the meadow, the descent down the gully was super mellow. I'd barely call it a scramble.

[Eric T]

Good work you two, thanks for all the great pics!

[senior_cush]

What a fun, mellow climb! But darn was it hot, I was quite jealous of your call on shorts. The only negative was the DOHAD (destroyer of hopes and dreams) that snagged my treated bottle of water for the descent. Thanks for a fun climb!

[mountainmb]

No thank you for the fun climb! Come out to Seattle and play again. Think of all those Classic Cascades climbs. Consider my couch yours!