West Green Mountain 4656' 4.8.14

Last week I had an interesting outing on my way to Green Mountain's true summit. I found some rotten open snow on the East Ridge and it was enough of a concern that I backed down to the road below.  I had plenty of time so I headed on West Green Mountain Road until I stumbled onto a well flagged route heading up. The snow was decent in the trees and I made great time until I reached the open Talus field that can be seen from the many vantage points in the valley. I dropped my pack to lighten my weight for  the soft snow. I made it quite a ways before deciding that I had allotted my allowed time. I had hoped for a rematch this week provided the weather would cooperate.  Puzzlr had contacted me to see if I would have any interest in having some company for my return try. I was stoked because I don't get to have partners too often and I hadn't met Puzzlr before but I was well aware of some of the trips he had done. I knew I didn't need to worry about his fitness or abilities on this substantial climb. 



We decided to meet at the jump off point on the Middle Fork Road just after crossing the Middle Fork Bridge. The weather was quite a bit warmer when I arrived than I had expected. In fact I had to contend with a few mosquitoes in the short time I waited for Puzzlr to arrive. After exchanging pleasantries we were on our way.  Both the time and elevation flew by as we made our way towards our objective of the SW Ridge of Green Mt to access the Western most summit. I couldn't find a whole lot of beta regarding be able to run the ridge to the true summit. What I was able to find made it seem like it would be difficult.  I had pretty much resigned myself to settling for the Western point of the three distinct summits of Green. I was able to spot some tracks in addition to those that I had left last week. When we reached the open slopes below the ridge I was taken back with the fresh avalanche debris that more than likely had come down the day prior with the warm weather. I wasn't quite too happy to see my prints from the previous week covered with fresh debris. I had looked at the slope prior to walking underneath it last week and hadn't thought there was enough snow to actually slide.

Just prior to reaching my stopping point from last week we both switched to snowshoes. I had some equipment issues so I had Puzzlr continue on while I did my best to get it sorted out. We were able to zig zag our way up the slope quicker than I expected and soon we found ourselves on the SW ridge  The ridge proper was mostly melted out so we dropped pack and snowshoes and added rain gear because the impending rain finally reached us.  The prints I had seen below also converged here coming in a much more direct line from the basin below.  The scramble was fairly straightforward and we reached a small point to find that the Western summit was still a ways away along the ridge. The ridge went without much bother and we found ourselves on the summit with very limited views. I was happy to make it to this point so I headed back while Puzzlr continued a short ways along the ridge to get a better feel of what lay ahead. I was a little apprehensive about the descent so once reaching our packs I broke out my ice ax for some mostly unneeded conditions. It made me feel a little more secure however. Once regaining the trees we switched back to boots and had an enjoyable descent in the building rain. We made a short side track to the East Ridge climbers trail to see the cross left for an unfortunate climber killed in the area a couple of years ago. It always sobering to be faced with the things that can go drastically wrong during these pursuits. By the time we reached the lower portions of the trail it was raining quite hard making the trail much more challenging.  Many thanks to Puzzlr for making this day such a success. It was very good to meet you and I look forward to doing some trips in the future.

Approx 9 miles 4000' of climb 6:30 car to car

Green Mt. North Bend 4.1.14

With the nicer than expected weather I chose to stay close to home. I grew up on the Middle Fork and I feel a bit negligent that I haven't climbed Green Mt.  A few years back I tried the East Ridge from the CCC road and was fine until I reached 3000' and was nearly swallowed by some serious voids in the snow. As was today I was solo and it was more than unnerving. I had read some recent reports from Green last week so it was again on my radar. I hadn't been on the connector trail that starts just after the Middle Fork Road crosses the Snoqualmie. I didn't see the trail initially so I had to turn around. The trail starts a mere few feet from the bridge so it couldn't be easier to find once you know. I started off with too many layers as it seemed to warm quickly as I headed up. The trail is in good shape and passes some huge trees and some even bigger stumps. This alone was worth the drive. After crossing a creek the pitch increases which I was pleased because I knew I had to climb 4000' to meet my objective. In short order I reached the CCC road where I went right for 20' to reconnect with the trail.


This portion of the trail was also in good shape and it spit me out onto the road I wanted. I headed right on the old road that has degraded into an easy trail. The elevation adds up quickly on this portion. There are some wonderful views to East. Russian Butte and Garfield are the stars here. The added bonus is none of the logging roads that scar Zorro ridge can be seen making the views much more pristine. There was only a few patches of snow along the way. I reached a junction and I headed right and reached a nice overlook. I could see a crude path heading to the talus field so I followed. The rock here is loose so those who have partners be forewarned. I had seen some fresh prints in the snow at the base of the climb but as I headed up I didn't see them anymore. Since I had read a report from last week that I had assumed used this route, not seeing any boot prints made me suspect that I had left too the road too soon. I turned around and headed back to the road below. Once reaching the road I continued on to the left. After a short ways the road degrades considerably. The snow also deepened and it was obvious no one had been here recently since there were no prints in the soft snow. I decided that I had indeed been on route so I returned to the faint climber's path.


The going was straight forward and I did my best to avoid any snow that I could since I had first hand knowledge of some of the man eating voids. As I climbed higher it became impossible to avoid the snow and I had to slow down to make sure each step was secure. Once I reached the trees there wasn't much snow so the pace quickened. The ridge became very defined as I made my way higher. I reached another open area with soft snow. I decided that it would be best to attack this route with either more or less snow. I quickly descended the 600' back to the road.


Since I had plenty of time and my legs were feeling good I headed up at the previous junction. I could see Whitebark's boot prints. I was sure they were his since there were only prints going down and none going up. I decided to at least make it to the convenient sitting log and views he referenced in his report. Once reaching the area where he had rejoined the road I was surprised looking down his route. It looked like it wouldn't be fun to descend so I am guessing that is why he chose to head back on the road. I was curious what lay ahead so I continued on to a switchback and I some flagging caught my eye. I also noticed some fresh looking blaze marks in the trees that were impossibly high up. It amazed me how much higher the snow must have been when they were made. The snow and the grade were pleasing so I continued on. I was able to follow the blazes and the flagging without too much issue. Soon I broke out of the trees to some open snow slopes baking in the warm sun. I wasn't too optimistic regarding continuing since I hadn't thought snowshoes would be needed. I gave myself some better odds by dropping my pack. I just wanted to see what lay ahead so I could determine if this route would work for a successful summit. The snow varied from shin to knee deep but for most part I was able to find a base. The going was slow but it was unbelievable to push through all the untracked snow in the warm sunshine. I could see the SW ridge come into view and there weren't any obstacles so I decided to continue. Once reaching an old avalanche path I decided that I better head back if I wanted to make my evening plans. I was less than an hour from the summit so I was somewhat disappointed. That evaporated quickly as I made my way back to my pack. The descent was much more difficult than the ascent. It seemed the added force of gravity was more than the base could handle and I found myself sinking well past my knees on nearly every step. Thankfully I reached my pack and better snow in the shade of the trees.


As I started down I noticed that my steps had prints in them pointing downhill. At first I thought that I had made them but after they continued I realized that someone had followed my prints stopping at my pack. Initially it gave me some cause for concern.  A lot of crazy thoughts were rolling through my head. As I descended further I thought maybe this was an opportunity to find someone to climb with. Someone with Tuesdays off and willing to do obscure routes in early Spring. I decided to hit the gas on the way down with the intent on catching up to my mysterious boot prints. Once on the lower portions I had to give up with the idea of catching up, so I throttled back to a more normal pace. Just as I reached the Middle Fork I was able to catch up. As we walked back to the cars we had a nice chat. I will indeed be back next week to finish this off provided the weather is agreeable.

Approx 10 miles 3700' of climb 6 hours car to car

Not Quite Scout Patrol 4693'

A couple of weeks ago I headed up the Hansen Creek Drainage just West of Snoqualmie Pass on skis. With all the recent warm rain I had hoped the lower reaches of the road had melted out making driving further up the road possible. I also hoped the warm rains had consolidated the snowpack making it possible to take a more direct line to the summit. As it often happens things weren't exactly what I was hoping for. I reached the junction for the Annette Lake trailhead and it appeared there was the same amount of snow on the road as two weeks ago. Doing the math I knew that if I could take my direct line I would be able to squeak the trip under 12 miles.  I was thankful for the glorious sunny weather and I even lathered up the sunscreen, which in the end wasn't quite as effective as I had hoped. The road was still rutted but I walked in the middle section which was pretty solid going. The actual ruts were iced over making for slippery walking. In fact that was the story for the first 3 miles until I was able to reach enough elevation where the precip from the previous night had fallen as snow. Having new snow in the tire ruts made for much quicker walking and I soon found myself directly North of my day's goal. I intended on heading on the nose of the ridge taking me in an efficient straight line to the summit. When I stepped off the road I was surprised to find myself sinking past my knees in the soft snow. I was quite surprised to find so little consolidation in the snowpack. I doubted even with my snowshoes I would find easy going.


A little downtrodden, I decided to stay on the road since the going was so easy, the downside was that I was adding quite a bit of mileage. At around 3400' the last rig had stopped leaving me on my own to break trail. I started to question whether I had enough time and energy to make it all the way to the summit. I was able to find reasonable travel in the middle of the road trying, but if I strayed even a little I was rewarded with some interesting postholes. Once reaching the South bend in the road I decided to make an attempt at reaching the ridgeline in a more direct line. The going was mostly open but dotted with some small trees to go around. About every 50 steps I would find man eating voids in the snow that took great effort to get myself out of. After around 300' of climb I began to become too annoyed with these struggle fests. I didn't want to give back the precious elevation but I also didn't want to get stuck in a hole that I couldn't get out of. I descended back to the road and continued onward and upward. Around 3800' I decided to give it another go, to make things easier I dropped pack hoping the reduced weight would be helpful. After punching through for the 3rd time and taking a few minutes to get out I decided that I had enough. I took some time on the wonderful views of the huge avalanche chutes on Granite Mt across the valley and marveled at the huge basin below Bandera, that I have yet to explore. I was thankful to have such a beautiful day to brighten my demeanor. Heading back was annoying with the easiest going in the ruts. However the ruts were a bit narrow making me have to alter my stride and they were a bit slushy making it quite easy to twist an ankle. Finally I reached the bottom and was left with uphill walk to the car. Feeling a bit spent physically , and refreshed mentally I thankfully made it back to the car.

Approx 14 miles 2600' of climb 6:45 car to car

Hansen Creek Ski 2.25.14

After getting caught on the wrong side of the pass closure last week I decided to avoid any issues by looking for something on the West side. I have been up Hansen Creek a few times and I still need to cross off Scout Patrol Peak. I know the road grade is manageable with my marginal skiing abilities. I know the 7+ miles to the summit might be a tall order but I was willing to give it a shot. I didn't get an early start but I had plenty of time as I made my way up the very gusty I-90. When I reached the junction to the Annette Lake trailhead I was surprised the plowing ended. I wedged the Audi behind a pile of snow making sure I was out of the way or those who were going to need to turn around. I suited up quickly dodging the snow bombs being blown off the trees.


I was pleasantly surprised to find the middle of the road scraped of any new snow from the recent truck traffic. I was able to make good time to the junction with the Hansen Creek Road. I was again thankful for the recent truck traffic keeping the tralbreaking  to a minimum. I alternated from the middle of the road to the rutted portions depending on the snow. Above 2500' the snow started having a nice rain crust making for slower going. I kept plugging along, once reaching the turnoff to Scout Lake I gave some thought to changing plans. I decided to stick with the plan and continue on the road. Above 3000' the crust became even thicker making for tricky skiing I experimented with different tactics with limited success. Around 3300' the crust was thick enough to support my weight without allowing me to break through. This made skiing unpleasant with out any ski crampons. I decided to turn around.


I had some fear for my descent since I really don't have much ability on skis. I alternated from following my broken trail for the easier grade to using the untracked snow for the steeper portions. I was really trying to find away to control my speed. I noticed much improvement over the miles and by the time I reached the lower reaches I found easy going in the tire ruts. I was able to ski the last 2 miles of the Hansen Creek road without exerting much of any effort.  Once reaching the mainline I started to lose my steam but I was able to make it back to the car without too much discomfort.

Approx 9 miles 1500' of climb 4:30 car to car.