Traverses

[steelfrog]

So, dumb questions probably.

 

I scouted out the Bailey Traverse this past September while doing a traverse of the Tatoosh and Rainier. But I have now been studying 3 other traverses--Nooksack, Ptarmigan and Pickets.

 

I'm looking to do one of these in the summer. Ptarmigan looks most intriguing; and I'm thinking that would be a 5 day 4 nighter?

 

Nooksack looks like a maybe 3 dayer.

 

Pickets looks beastly, and is the least likely for me.

 

My experience in the North Cascades is one trip there, up the Sahale Arm; day trip. My general experience is much rock climbing etc in the Sierra, Colorado, desert ranges; I have ropes and glacier travel experience. Not looking for specifics, more general sense of best season for these as well as overall views, experience, etc.

 

I am also eying Alpine Lakes region and would accept any other suggestions!

 

Many thanks!

[genepires]

what about the world famous torment forbidden traverse?

that is pretty well documented online and in guidebooks

 

what is the nooksack traverse? (ruth, icy and on towards shuksan?)

[steelfrog]

Yep. Actually I have seen it Shuksan then Icy and Ruth

[DPS]

In the Alpine Lakes you would have the Stuart Range traverse.

[Alex]

Depends on how fast you move obviously but Ptarmigan gets done in single 24 hour pushes, a typical traverse itinerary is easy in 3 days including some summits incl Dome, you certainly don't need 5 days but it would make the trip extremely casual.

 

I've tried Pickets N to S once and it is a different animal completely, it will be more time consuming and difficult. I have not completed this one.

 

I dont know if your chosen time of year will jive well with a Shuksan-Nooksack trip, the better time to travel might be earlier in the summer for more snow coverage.

 

There are other classic trips including an Entiat - Buck Creek pass loop you can construct, that might include things like Walrus Gl. etc..

 

 

[steelfrog]

Thanks! Great advice and Stuarts Traverse looks awesome