[TR] Hinman - 1st ascent by a corgi (?)

[wolffie]

Trip: Hinman - 1st ascent by a Welsh corgi without supplemental oxygen on a Monday.

Date: 7/7/2008

 

Trip Report:

 

This is a really nice, easy climb with the family, or just the family dog. Great place to introduce youngsters or newbies to to a real alpine view. Unless you get off-route in a whiteout, or the snow is hard, it's easy terrain. Do it in EARLY SEASON when there's lots of snow; later on, it's a rock pile, not corgi-friendly. Don't wander off unroped on the glaciers. We did this July 7 in a VERY heavy snow year. Took 3 days, snoozing the 2nd day away in a whiteout. You could do it in 2 days if you like death marches.

 

Surprised to see NOBODY here on July 4 weekend; where the BLEEP are the kids these days? Home playing effing video games!? We're gonna need them next time They try to strip mine this place (not joking). Met a family up here long ago.

 

On the knob bove La Bohn lakes, there is a tiny bare-rock area where a small party can bivvy with minimal impact if you don't move rocks around. Don't camp down in Necklace Valley unless you have good mosquito insurance.

 

Ascend the obvious route up from La Bohn Lakes, then keep the ridge on your right, staying left of the crest. Stay on the snow unless you love rock-hopping on sharp rocks, hard on doggie's footpads. I tried this once in late season and it wasn't so great.

 

Gear Notes:

ice axe, conceivably crampons but not this time, extra dog treats, sipping whiskey and book for the white-out.

 

Approach Notes:

From the end of Necklace Valley, ascend snow to the notch (ice axe, likely the only time you'll need it). In late season (not advised), ascend left edge of talus (snow in photo), then follow track that almost follows the outfall (left edge of snow in photo). You can also approach from the Middle Fork Snoqualmie R. (Chain Lakes), probably longer but easier, avoiding the Necklace Valley headwall which is a bit steep, the hardest part of this climb. But Necklace Valley is a nice hike.

Edited August 26, 2008 by wolffie

[Bug]

How did you get all those self portraits?

 

That's just special.

 

Nice pics! Thanks.

[Stefan]

that dog's legs must look like they are Speedy Gonzales legs on the trail

[tvashtarkatena]

I wasn't aware that you could domesticate a bushy tailed wood rat.

[alpenho]

That's awesome - I've wondered about some of my climbs with my French Bulldogs, they've been up several summits in the Cascades and I've never seen any others out there. Here's one of em on the top of Yellow Aster Butte:

[belayerslayer]

haha great!

as a dog owner who loves to take him into the mountains, I can totally relate to your trip! I reccomend the Goat Rocks for a future adventure

[ropegoat]

are those swimming googles? for sunprotection?

definitely clever. well done for the corgi

[zoroastr]

Hinman....on 4-inch legs! ...i love it.

[Alpine_Tom]

The Mountain Westie has more competition than she knew about...

 

 

Also on Yellow Astor Butte.

[smoogle]

Hey - that Corgi looks very familiar! Isn't she a Darwin's Natural Food calendar girl???

 

[wolffie]

Yup, that's Gwynnie.

 

You can see her nephew Al at:

 

http://wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2008-09-18.9401038953

 

Corgwyn cannot handle steep ice, 4th class. or coarse boulder fields -- there is this maneuver called the "corgi toss" -- but other than that, they can go anywhere, and as far, as I can. Gwynnie once went 23 mi. in 14 hrs. with 8000' gain, and half a mile of that was steep bushwhacking.

 

The sunglasses are (what else?) "Doggles", just photo props, she usually rubs then off. If anybody knows of good dog sunglasses that actually work, please let me know.

[Peakpimp]

are those swimming googles? for sunprotection?

definitely clever.

 

If I'm not mistaken I think they are Doggles

 

http://www.doggles.com/