Welldigger's Ass 1.29.07

With the wonderful snow conditions and the mostly fair weather I was planning a multiple summit day. I have read some recent reports so I was fairly certain the route would be well broken saving much needed time and energy. I parked 1.6 miles after cresting Stevens Pass. There is plenty of free parking and my route started right behind the staff housing. I was hoping to reach the ridge and then head south for a summit of Big Chief and then retrace my steps along the ridge to reach Welldigger's Ass (pt 5273). There is a well worn snowshoe track that climbs the road that leads to the old Yodelin Ski slopes. Some of the buildings are still intact and made for an interesting side sight. The area was devastated by an avalanche in 1971 killing 4 and burying many more. It is still one of the most deadly avalanches in Washington History. As I was about to start heading south I noticed Tanner had reaggrevated a previous foot injury and was again bleeding quite heavily. He has struggled with this injury the last 3 weeks. I was again forced to change plans. The injury doesn't appear to give him pain so I decided that I could at least make an attempt of Welldigger's Ass ranking it #87 on the Backcourt list. I made my way to the saddle between my summit and Pt. 5023 and dropped pack. I easily made my way the last 400ft to the mostly flat treed summit. I continued on until I hit the high point which afforded no views. I retraced my route to my pack and briefly considered at least climbing Pt. 5023. My worry for my dog's bleeding paw won out and merely plunged stepped my way back to the car. I sure enjoyed not having to break trail making for a quick roundtrip. In my research I have not found the origins of the distinctive name of this peak.




approx 6 miles 1700ft of climb 2:45 car to car

Jungle Creek Road 1.22.07

After last weeks attempt I was back to take advantage of the 2 miles I had already bulldozed. I was happy to find 25+ degree warmer temps than last week. I decided to try and ski the portion I did last week. I was happy to shave a full half hour off of my previous weeks time to my stopping point. I changed to snowshoes since I once again was forced to break trail. The Jungle Creek Road only climbs about 600 ft of elevation in the first 4 miles which took me nearly 3 hours due to the slow conditons. At 3200ft I left the road and made my way up the open and mostly easy grade. I climbed to around 3700ft and reached my turnaround time. I had hoped to make my way to Goldwater Peak, but I sadly didn't have adequate time. I enjoyed plunge stepping my way back to the road. I returned to my skiis and and switched back for the final few miles.








approx 10 miles 1100ft of climb 5:30 car to car

Jungle Creek Road 1.15.07

I had some much loftier goals for the day, but sometimes the day will conspire against you. Today was one such day. I was on the road by 7:30 and made my way up the good roads to Snoqualmie Pass. The wind buffeted me along the way. It made for some tricky driving. The temp was a balmy 11 degrees as I made my way to the Eastern Side. The goal was for a summit of Goldwater Peak Pt 5220 and if conditions were good a ridge walk to Malcolm Mt. Right from the start I had multiple problems with equipment and the dogs were not caring for the single digit temps. It was so cold that both My Ipod and camera quit working. I was so layered up that it was quite comfortable for me. I turned off the snowmobile track to the unbroken Jungle Creek Road. I had both hoped for and expected some fast crusty snow. I was instead treated to deep powdery snow. The Beagle started lagging further and further behind. I had to stop and wait for the trooper more than a few times. My hope was that the snow would improve higher up and will the bright sunshine warm up. Neither of these things materialized for me. When the Beagle passed me and sat down in front of me I realized that he had enough. I was hoping to at least stop and enjoy my lunch is the sunshine but again the Beagle balked at stopping. Apparently he had made up his mind that we were going to return to the car.




approx 4 miles 2:20 car to car and a massive 320ft of climb

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