Tip Top 3.31.08

The weekend's unsettled weather had me putting off doing something more worthy. I settled for cleaning up a mess from earlier this year. I had made an attempt of Tiptop 4760' #94BC/100 via the Camas Road earlier this year. I was shut down by a 40' cliff and lack of any extra time to find a way around. Even though the approach via Ruby Creek was longer I was interested in trying a different route. I parked about 8 miles after crossing Blewett Pass in a small parking area for Ruby Creek road. The idea was to head up the road for a mile or so and then leave the road and climb in a more direct route to the summit. I was again blessed with some broken sun and moderate temps. The road was packed with a couple of inches of fresh snow overtop. I had planned on leaving the road a little later but when I found a logging road going my way I took it. The road followed a small creek and dead ended in a tangle of brush. I hung a left and started climbing. The going was surprisingly lacking in snow and the footing was very loose. The dogs above me kicked quite a few rocks loose that I was forced to dodge. I had some obstacles to go around and while the grade was somewhat steep it was manageable. I decided on the way up that I didn't want to descend it and for the route out I would just exit via logging roads. Soon I crested Pt. 4038' 130P and made my way to the logging road. The road traverse was much longer than it appears on the map. I switched to snowshoes (not really needed) with about a half mile to go. The road switchbacks and soon I was on top. The summit has some great views of the surrounding area too bad I left the camera at home. There are some out buildings on top as well. I didn't stay long as I could see some approaching inclement weather. Rather than take the snowshoes off I kept them on for the descent. I passed my up route and now was off my map, I had a rough idea of the maze of roads so I was only a bit concerned. I reached a logger's landing and now found the road plowed. I started to worry because I figured my road must descend to a different drainage. I hung with the road until I found a gated spur going my way. Feeling much better about things I put it in full on cruise control as I made my way back to the car. Finally I rejoined my up route and quickly made it back to the car. In retrospect not returning via my up route added nearly 3 extra miles and at least another 1:15 to my trip.The inclement weather I had observed on the summit never materialized and I was treated with an entire dry day.






Approx 12 miles 6 hours car to car 3100'ft of climb

East Bearjack 3.24.08

I had been looking forward to a more meaningful peak all week but when Sunday's weather turned inclement I didn't want to chance it with the increased avalanche conditions. I pared down my aspirations to something smaller. I had done West Bearjack Ridge Peak two weeks ago and had hoped to make the traverse to East Bearjack but lack of motivation and equipment problems kept that hope from being realized. I was surprised to find clear skies with a beautiful bright moon when I left the house. I had thought the weather would be poor so I was very pleased that for at least in the beginning I would have some nice weather


As I drove over Snoqualmie the weather only improved. It was chilly when I parked next to the Jack Creek Road but it was sunny!

I packed up and was off. The road which is well traveled by snowmobiles so long walk went more quickly than expected. I reached my jump-off point at about the five mile mark. I found a nice ridge going my way I rode that until I thought I was stymied by a beautiful rock wall.


I found a gully that would take me above it. I broke out the ice axe for added insurance. Once above the wall the ridge was open and easy.


I followed this until I had to traverse to reach East Bearjack's SE ridge. The traverse was fun because of the nearly perfect snow conditions. After reaching the SE ridge the North side had some unconsolidated snow and I pondered whether or not to switch to snowshoes. The snowshoes stayed stowed as I booted over a small point and then dropped to the saddle just before the last summit push. The last 200' feet was open and soon I was on East Bearjack's summit 4826' #93 BC/100.


The weather was ideal but the views were somewhat limited. The camera ran out of power but truthfully the only views I had weren't that worthy anyway. I ate some lunch soaking up the warm sunshine. I retraced my steps until I reached the rock wall where I angled away from it saving some of the mundane road walking. As was my last trip down this road it seemed like an eternity before I was able to reach my car. I was happy to see some signs of some recent fellow climbers along the way. Maybe one of these days I will actually bump into some of you.




Approx 12 miles 2600ft of climb 6:00 car to car

Diamond Head 3.17.08

I managed to get an early start and I knew I was going to need the extra time. I had some rough going over Snoqualime because of some pesky snow showers. When I reached the Blewett Pass Sno-Park the weather was suprisingly sunny. I packed up and was off. From the onset I noticed Tanners had cut a nailbed and was bleeding. The cut wasn't too bad but I knew this would put the days objective of summitting Diamondhead, Tronsen Head and Mt. Lillian in jeopardy. The sunrise was beautiful and I enjoyed the warm sunshine.

I followed the road for about a mile and then traversed to the objective gully between Diamondhead and Tronsen Head. I picked up a good trail which speeded up the route finding. I just upgraded to MSR Lightning Ascent and was having some trouble with traverse. The shoes tended to make my downhill ankle twist making for some uncomfortable travel. When I reached 5100' I found a nice slope heading my way. There was some recent ski tracks and I found the slope stable. I kicked steps for about 400' enjoying the heel lift of the snowshoes. I felt like this made ascending much easier. The grade steepened and I was forced to break out the ice axe and switch back to just boots. The views opened up somewhat.

After another 400' the grade lessened and I easily made my way to the highpoint. After taking a look at Tanner's feet and noticing that he had cut another nail bed I knew my only option was to drop back to the trail and head out. I just dropped straight back to the trail and regained it at 5250'.

I followed the trail until I reached the Discovery Trail which I followed back to the car. The Discovery Trail had some interesting kiosks about the way the forests are managed.


Approx 6 miles 2100' of climb 4:45 car to car

West Bearjack 3.10.08

I was hoping the recent nice weather would hold out for one more day. I was able to hit the road by 0600 with some light rain. I expected the day to degrade into some heavy rain so I wasn't optimistic for a great deal of success. I parked opposite the Jack Creek Road and was off. The goal for the day was West Bearjack Peak which ranks a lowly 100 on the B/C 100. From the onset the rain was only building as I plodded the 3.5 miles to my jump-off point. The road was packed solid from heavy snowmobile traffic so I just booted it. I found a logging road not on my map just before I was going to leave the main line. I scouted it out until it ended. I could see a nice open but steep route above me to connect with the ridge that I wanted. I had to drop and do a tedious creek crossing to access this route. I climbed about a 100' and switched to snowshoes. I easily reached the ridge and had a enjoyable ascent. I had a few rock outcropping to negotiate.

Soon I reached the main ridge with some views of what turned out to be a false summit.

The ridge was open and easy and soon I was a the base of the false summit.

Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:47 pm West Bearjack Peak 3-10-08






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TOPO!mapW Bearjack





I was hoping the recent nice weather would hold out for one more day. I was able to hit the road by 0600 with some light rain. I expected the day to degrade into some heavy rain so I wasn't optimistic for a great deal of success. I parked opposite the Jack Creek Road and was off. The goal for the day was West Bearjack Peak which ranks a lowly 100 on the B/C 100. From the onset the rain was only building as I plodded the 3.5 miles to my jump-off point. The road was packed solid from heavy snowmobile traffic so I just booted it. I found a logging road not on my map just before I was going to leave the main line. I scouted it out until it ended. I could see a nice open but steep route above me to connect with the ridge that I wanted. I had to drop and do a tedious creek crossing to access this route. I climbed about a 100' and switched to snowshoes. I easily reached the ridge and had a enjoyable ascent. I had a few rock outcropping to negotiate.

















100_1973

100_1974

100_1975

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Soon I reached the main ridge with some views of what turned out to be a false summit.


The ridge was open and easy and soon I was a the base of the false summit.


As I crested I realized that it wasn't the true summit which I had felt all along. I could see me route plainly in front of me. I dumped my pack and switched back to just boots.

The ridge narrowed and had a small tricky portion but nothing of too much bother. I reentered the forest and made my way to the true summit which lies furthest West. The weather turned to a nice sunny day and became quiet warm. The views were very nice and I snapped some quick picture.

The route back was easy and I soon I was making over the false summit.

I reached my pack and had to break out the sunscreen and sunglasses! I was surprised the weather had improved I had fully expected the rain to strengthen as the day went on. I intended on following the ridge to reach East Bearjack but I really didn't have the time. The descent was made more enjoyable by my snowshoe breaking a hinge and then postholing and having my foot wedged. I was forced to use my ice axe to dig my foot out. After what seemed like an eternity I extricated my foot. I stayed on the ridge instead of following my up route and I regained the road without having to do another unpleasant creek crossing. The road out seemed much longer but eventually I made it to the car.




Approx 11 miles 2100ft of climb 6 hours car to car

Flag Mt, Snowshoe Ridge, Lion Rock 3.3.08

had read a nice write up from Mike Torok from a trip in 2002 that sounded like a fun trip. His group made a longer loop that what I felt like I had time for so I pared down the trip to just include 3 summits. The plan was to park just East of Liberty and walk the Boulder Creek Road for .25 miles and then leave the road and summit Flag Mt. 3834' and continue East to go over the high point of Snowshoe Ridge 4125' and then the plan was to head SE to attack Lion Rock 6360' #64 on the BC/100. I left the house before 0600 and the weather looked to be good as I quickly made my way to Liberty. I parked at the junction with the Boulder Creek Road on a nice plowed area. I quickly packed up and was off. I walked the BCR for a quarter mile and crawled over a barbed wire fence. The ridge had some good definition and the snow was crusty enough to forego snowshoes. There looks like there is a trail that goes to the top of Flag Mt. I summited in 50 minutes. Flag Mt. offers some great views.


After leaving the rocky summit I had a short traverse through some icy spots to regain the flat ridge that would take me East. I passed some logging roads but I mostly headed due East. I went over 4125 and instead of leaving the ridge I continued on it. I was able to follow snowmobile tracks that headed my way all the way to the beautiful basin to the North of Lion Rock. Once I reached the open basin it began to snow quite hard. The ridge above me was totaly obscured by the driving snow. From what I could see it didn't look promising. I started a traverse to the North to outflank the steepish areas. I broke out the ice axe and really wished that I had brought my crampons instead of leaving them in the car. The traverse required some focus and was made more unnerving due to the building wind and the wind scoured slopes making for some unpredictable footing. I was able to find a line with a more pleasing grade and popped out on the ridge at 6250' . The top of the ridge is very flat and the going would have been quite easy to finish off the last 100+' of climb. Too bad for me the wind was stronger than anything I have experienced. It was blowing so strong that it was impossible to walk. I have no gauge to measure wind but I would be curious if anyone has any idea what wind speed in capable of blowing a 250 pound man nearly off his feet. Sometimes I feel like I am overly cautious in my endeavors in the mountains but in this situation I was sure turning back was the only choice. I felt bad for the dogs as well they weren't having much better luck than I.


I did my best to remain upright as the wind buffeted my descent. Once back into the trees thankfully the wind abated. I made quick work of the descent. Instead of going back over Flag Mt. I headed North on some logging roads that put me back on the main road about 2 miles from the car. I was happy to get two easy summits but I had hoped to cross Lion Rock off my master list. I guess I will just have to drive to the campground that is just East of the summit and walk the remaining few feet. It was a very fun route one that I would recommend.


Approx 10.5 miles 3800ft of climb 6:45 car to car.