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

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