Money Creek Road 1.08.07

With today's high avalanche danger I was looking for something with a little lower elevation start. I knew there would be no summitting today. I have had another memorable week highlighted with being involved in subduing a enraged naked man at my work. It took 5 of us to hold him down and at least 6 police officers to get him out the front door. So I decided a little extra sleep was well deserved this morning. I mangaged to make the Money Creek Road at the crack of 12:30. I booted up and made fairly good time for the first 1.5 hours. After reaching the road closed sign the snow conditions deteriorated to deep sloppy snow. I shoed up and made my was very slowly until I reached my turn around time. I quickly had my lunch and then was off for the return to the car. Although I found the snow conditions mostly unpleasant and the hike had little technichal reward I am very glad I made it out. I donned my headlamp for the last two miles and made it out with plenty time to make my dinner date.




Approx 11 miles 1800ft of climb 4.5 hours car to car

Teanaway Butte, Tarzan Butte 1.1.07

have been out of the loop for a while with regards to snow condtions, so I opted for something I was familiar with. I have recently felt the need to find climbing partners to share my time with. I feel prudent on some more demanding days for some extra insurance. I sent out some emails and found two who were willing to spend the day with me and my annoying pets. The goal was for a summit of Teanaway Butte. The road sees alot of snowmobiles so I knew the track would be somewhat faster. We had no problems in reaching the road that ends within a half mile of the summit. We now were on untracked snow but with taking turns the summit was reached quickly. Although it was quite cloudy and snowing lightly the skies seemed to lift for us on the summit. It was nice to see a little more of the area peaks mantled in snow. After a short stay we returned mostly by our up route. After a little discussion we decided that Tarzan Butte(pt. 4365)needed to be climbed. The route is straight forward and soon we were making our way up the nearly 1000ft climb to the summit. For this summit I was pushed to the back of the bus. I am not used to having a hard keeping up with anyone, so I was not quite sure how to handle it. I am much heavier than my climbing partners who were good enough to give me easy steps up the Butte. Too bad for me none of these steps would hold my weight. I spent good portions on my hands and knees crawling. I urged them on and not to worry about me. I soon began cramping intensely which was a new one for me. After a brief rest the pain subsided. I dropped pack with every intention of calling it a day less than 500ft from the summit. I thought I would give it a go with improved snow condition higher up and my somewhat lighter load I was able to make the summit(much to my suprise). We decided on the downclimb to try and make it a little shorter by taking a more direct line to the road of our ascent. This provided me with some anxious time as I was mostly out of gas and I was concerned we might not make it on the shortest line. After what seemed(to me) an enternity we rejoined the road and were on the endless 6+ mile trudge to the car. By now it was completely dark and the weather turned to freezing rain. We all found it quite comical to be layered in so much ice. With about 2 miles to go I found some hidden reserves and ran portions of the rest of the way. I was hoping to put enough time between myself and my companions to have the car warm for their return. More or less I achieved this goal. I was horrified to see the dome light on in the car upon my return. The door hadn't shut properly and since we had been on the go for well over nine hours I wasn't to hopeful that the car would start. Much to my relief it fired right up. Now all I had to do was to chip the half inch thick ice that had engulfed the car. I think after such a trying day we were all ready to be home. The freezing rain made the Teanaway Road an ice skating rink. I was forced to go very slow. The road conditions were mostly white knuckled for me most of the way to North Bend. All and all it was a great day. I was much impressed with the skill of my partners and was very proud of my 4 legged companions as well. I found the highlight of the day was being passed by snowmobilers well after dark. I cannot even imagine what they might have thought seeing our quite motley crew.




Approx 18+miles 4000ft climb 9:30 car to car





Document Actions

Squak Mt 12.27.06

I had hoped for something a bit more exciting than the mundane walk up the South Access Road. I haven't had much of a chance to get out recently, I just regained power on Sunday. I was sure that I wouldn't regain power anytime soon after the storm, so I sent the wife and baby to her parents. 11 days without power and alone will certainly test a man's ability to keep it together. For me getting back to normal is always the best medicine. I was suprised to find 5 cars at the trailhead. I remembered the dog's leashes which would have been better if I had remembered their collars to go along with it. It is only a quick jaunt to my house so I thought it best to get what I needed. There was quite a few larger blow downs between the parking lot and the access road. As I gained altitude I was suprised that the damage seemed to lessen. The rain was cold and steady but it never snowed. I only stayed a short period before running the balance to the car.

Mud Lake 11.27.06

I have been nursing a foot injury this week(plantar faciitis), so I wasn't looking for something overly taxing. I was looking for a little fishing instead. I have heard rumors of some good fishing at Mud Lake which is located in the North Fork Snoqualmie drainage. I parked at the big gate after crossing Deep Creek on the North Fork Rd. I made my way to the main line which was in use today. I made sure and leashed both dogs to avoid any problems with the area workers. I left the road at milepost 13 and made my way along an abandoned logging road which doubled back towards Mud Lakes Southern Shore. I had hoped to throw a fly but there wasn't any open areas to allow this. I did find any area where one could easily float a inflatable. I was treated with some heavier snow showers as I made my way back to the car. Approx 9 miles 4 hours car to car