[TR] Mt. Thomson - West Ridge 8/18/2013

[ajpederson]

Trip: Mt. Thomson - West Ridge

 

Date: 8/18/2013

 

Trip Report:

With Highway 20 closed, the BOEALPS Basic Rock Class (BRC) decided to move graduation climbs a bit closer to home. We were headed out to climb this weekend, so decided to take a couple students with us and split up into 3 teams. After a little discussion, it was decided Mt. Thomson would be our objective.

 

A stop for breakfast at the golf course in Northbend and a leisurely approach up had us at a nice campsite between Ridge and Gravel lakes for Saturday night. Taking the old trail through the Commonwealth Basin is a nice way to cut some mileage off the PCT. After a meal of grilled cheese and Fritos it was time for bed.

Approaching the catwalk.

 

Ridge Lake.

 

The next morning we got started about 7:00 and hiked up and over Bumblebee Pass and up to the start of the route. There's a lot of scree to hike over, which for some reason I didn't take as a sign of the rock quality on the route.

Mt. Thomson

 

So many rocks.

 

Once at the start of the route, we got roped up and started up. The first pitch was a fun chimney like feature after a step across. The second pitch seemed a bit runout, and we're not really sure if we went the right way. After that, a few more pitches of slab and face with some loose rock brought us to the summit.

Getting ready for P1.

 

Finishing up the slabs on P3.

 

P5 slabs.

 

Group summit shot.

 

The descent involved 3 rappels and then a lot more scree to get back to the basin. Back over Bumblebee Pass, back to pack up camp, and then back out on the PCT and through the Commonwealth Basin trail.

 

Heading down to find the first rappel.

 

Apparently abandoned=shortcut.

 

Overall a pretty fun weekend. The loose rock, sparse gear, and crappy descent definitely give this route more of an alpine feel than some other beginner routes of the same grade.

 

-All pictures provided by Alicia.

 

Gear Notes:

Set of nuts, cams up to #2. Up to #3 for the others.

Grilled Cheese.

 

Approach Notes:

The trail through the basin cuts a bunch off the PCT.