The Ark 4.21.08

I had a surprise when I had a couple bites for a partner post from last year. Somehow the post had been bumped to the top and since it was for the same time frame I could see why there would be some confusion. As it turned out only Don B. would be able to make it. I have read many reports from Don regarding his superhuman ski trips so I was eager to meet up at 0600. As it turns out Don does much more than just skiing and is one of the few people out there who can understand the compulsion to climb obscure peaks. When it comes to obscure The Ark ranks right up there. I had tried last year and was turned around by some tricky cornices. This year I was turned back by lack of access due to the heavy snows on the Middle Fork Road. I was unable to find any info on the conditions so we decided to wing it. The road had some fresh snow but was in good shape except one portion where the road has slumped. I almost skidded off the drop but managed to stop just in time. The area can easily be passed on the right. We made it to the Taylor River Road where we were only able to drive a short ways . I turned around and parked near the road junction. The weather was warmer than it has been recently but was still quite cold for mid Spring. We booted to the Quartz Creek Road where we switched to snowshoes. The road is a tangle of broken trees and snow laden trees that make for less than straight line walking. The snow was not making for quick work and I really questioned whether our day's objective would be met. Soon we were to the junction with Sunday Creek Road. We headed right at each intersection. Around the 3rd switchback there is less than obvious road that must be taken. I had remembered this from my try last year. At around 3000' we left the road and made our way up tending to our left to get into the beautiful when snow covered basin below The Ark. Once we were in the basin I decided that I wanted to cross the creek and head up the mostly open slopes to reach the summit ridge West of the summit. Last time I stayed in the basin until I reached the South Ridge. When we reached the basin the sun broke through and was quite warm. This gave us some worry with the slopes above us drenched in sun. We stayed mostly in the trees and kept out of the more open slope. Don had been doing most of the grunt work breaking trail in the sloppy snow. As the climb steepened he led the whole way. I had an immense amount of trouble because his steps would not hold my heft and I was forced to crawl some short sections. To make matter even worse I started cramping which thankfully abated. After what seemed an eternity we crested the ridge at around 4900'. We had a quick bite and layered up because the sunny weather had evaportated into some cold windy weather. We dropped pack and made our way along the enjoyable ridge with some nice views of Mowitch lake straight below us. Soon we reached the summit rocks which would be much more difficult without the heavy snow cover. There was just enough room at the top for both of us 5339' #74 HC/100. The sun broke through just as we reached the summit giving us some stunning views of the many peaks of the Garfield Group and Treen Peak as well. I was upset with myself for leaving the camera in my pack. I had projected an 8 hour round trip so with it taking us nearly 7 hours to reach the summit I couldn't stay long. We quickly made our way back to our stowed belongings. We started the descent we did some slow motion glissades to regain the basin below us. The road walk out seemed to take forever. Just before we exited the Quartz Creek Road it began to snow and blow urging me to walk just little faster. Thanks Don for a most enjoyable day I hope to repeat in the near future.




Approx 12 miles 4300ft of climb 9:45 car to car

Cowboy Mt. 4.14.08

had a taxing work week so I was looking for something shorter. I still wanted to climb something and when I heard that Steven's Pass Ski Area was shut down for the season I knew I had a perfect target. I parked at the upper parking lot and followed the cat track next to the terrain park. I traversed over to the 7th heaven lift. My intent was to use that for my approach. It didn't look like that much fun so I sniffed around the South side where I found a nice open slope going up. I reached the top of the slope and stayed in the trees until I reached the summit ridge. The summit ridge was very heavily corniced show I took some care to stay back from the edge. A short ways later I was on the true summit #79 B/C 100. I didn't feel very strong all day so I was surprised that it only took 90 minutes to summit. I retreated via my up route trying to glissade when I could. The ski runs were so rock hard that they didn't make for the most comfortable sliding.



Approx 4 miles 1800' of climb 3:30 car to car

Gale Creek 4.7.08

had hoped for some better conditions today but Winter is still holding on. I left the house at 0600 with a cold steady rain falling. At least I knew I would be above the snow line so getting wet really wasn't an issue. I was hoping to be able to drive the Lake Kachess Road all the way to the campground. I had sent out some PMs trying to find out for sure but I couldn't get a definitive answer. I thought the best way was to find out for myself. I had hoped to walk the Gale Creek Road until I was under Pt. 5140 which is Ugly Duckling and ranks #89 on the HC/100. One can drive nearly to the summit in summer time but that would be too easy. I have read reports about the last 350' after leaving the road more difficult than a map would indicate. I wanted to avoid this by climbing due North until I intersected with the NE ridge. I hoped this would be the easiest and much shorter approach. I knew I was in trouble when I was forced to park 2 miles from the campground adding an additional 4 miles to an already long mileage day. I trudged up the road amidst heavy snow showers and continued on the Gale Creek Road until I reached the point where I had hoped to leave the road. The heavy snow turned more to a cold rain and having already done 6 miles I wasn't enthused with the 1200' off trail climb to reach the summit. I toyed with the idea of staying on the road for the additional 3+miles to the summit. The idea of a hot cup of coffee and spending some extra time with the family won out and I turned back. The snow conditons turned quite sloppy for the descent making for some tiring walking. I was glad to finally reach the car to dry out.




Approx 12 miles 1300' of climb 4:45 car to car