Iron Peak 6.9.08

I have been unable to do any substantial trips the last few weeks, so for today I thought I would make up for some lost time. I managed to get up at 0315 which I hoped would give me enough time. I have wanted to do a loop trip for some time involving Iron Mt, Gene's Peak, Bill's Peak and Earl Peak. I felt like with the snow conditions this would be an easier time of year to do this loop. I was dismayed to see Winter storm warning posted for today. My hope was that I would be able to outrun the weather and of course I was counting on the Teanaway effect. I reached the trailhead to a nice sunrise raising my hopes that I would be able to squeeze everything in. The morning sun on Bill's peak was a good sign.

As I made my way further up the trail both Gene's Peak and Iron Peak came into view. I think it is apparent I need to work on my panoramic pictures.


I didn't reach consistent snow until 5200' and a short time later I was kicking steps to the saddle between Iron and Gene's peak. As always the dogs seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Reaching the saddle the ridge walk to Iron's summit was open and easy. The weather had quickly degraded into wind and snow. I was thankful that I had brought my winter clothes because they were quite necessary. I followed some tracks to the base of Gene's Peak and was able to follow in the icy steps up to a major snow finger that reached nearly to the summit block. This finger was fairly steep and with the weather degrading further I opted to glissade back to the basin. My fear was the approaching storm which I feared quite substantial would arrive sooner than expected. I wasn't in the mood for high winds and heavy snow. I easily made my way back to the trail and on to the car. Looking back at the route up to Gene's Peak I think I made the right choice for this day.


Approx 10 miles 3000' of climb 5:15 car to car

3484' and more 6.2.08

had high hopes for a nice trip of Crosby but lack of good weather was a deciding factor. I had hoped up with some fellow Nwhikers but we agreed that Crosby was better suited for a fair weather day. I was hardly crestfallen because I had a late night at work and sleep sounded much better. I took an opportunity for some more sleep so by the time I got rolling it was already late. I had to think of something short and quick. Earlier in the year I had been up Gale Creek Road on the way to Ugly Duckling. I had enough time for the long road walk so it seemed to fit. I had forgotten a obligation for the day. This sidetrack burned off much of the remaining time I had available. Now I wasn't sure If I had enough time to complete the climb. I hoped that maybe I would be suprised and drive far enough on the road to make it possible.


I was indeed surprised my the melt out and able to drive to 2700'. I parked near a snowmobile trailer, I was surprised that they would even try to run on the patchy road. I booted a short ways until I saw some flagging heading up. It was apparent it would go over 3484', as did I. The point offered an upfront view of Ugly Duckling. I dropped steeply to the road and rejoined it until reaching 3000'. I knew I hadn't the time to walk the road so I thought I would just head up. The snow was rock hard and almost made me wish I had brought my crampons. The snow wasn't consistent enough for this but they might have come in handy for short portions. I now had no more time and decided to head back.



Approx 5 miles 1700' of climb 2.5 hours car to car

White Pine Wanderings 5.26.08

was looking forward to a full day in the mountains and with some benign weather I was looking for a big day. I wanted to summit Chiwaukum Mt. 7423'. I had been in the area once on a previous trip I used a distinct NW ridge to summit Chiwaukum 2 7132' and had hoped to continue on to Chiwaukum Mt. I was forced off the ridge by some stout winds so I was eager to clean up my mess. From the outset the day was filled with problems. I hadn't shut the Subaru's door completely and the battery was dead. It took 45 minutes to get enough charge to get the car started. I had mangaged to get out of bed by 0500 so I felt like I might still have enough time to make it back for my evening obligations. I made good time to the Whitepine Road which was in great shape. Today's route was originally going to be different. I parked at a gated spur road at around 2400'. I wanted to use this road for the initial ascent until I could reach the subtle ridge that leads to Chiwaukum 1 6602' I hoped to continue on the McCue Ridge 6935' and then on to Chiwaukum Mt. For some reason I felt like this route that I had no info on wasn't such a good idea. I decided to use my route from my previous attempt instead. I parked at the end of the Whitepine Road and started to pack. I suddenly became quite ill, losing my breakfast in the process. This day was off to very auspicious start. I stayed on the trail for about .25 miles and then left for the steep climb. After 400' I decided that what I needed was a nap and not a long climb. I have been working an absurd amount of hours recently and I starting to feel the effects. I backtracked to the Whitepine Trail and enjoyed the feel of earth under my feet. The melt is in full swing and I was stymied by some heavy stream flow at 3100'. I just bought a new camera so I played around with it for a while and I tried to take a nap without success. I decided to head back to the car. When I reached my original spur road I thought I should at least take a look. I left the pack in the car to make my way up what I thought was a short road. My map shows the road ending at 2900' I was able to walk all the way to 4200'. From there I reached consolidated snow and was able to ascend easily. Now running short on time I was forced to turn back. I cut some switchbacks on the way down. For my next jaunt up this road I will leave the road at 3400' instead of staying on the road. I was worried about the drive home because of the holiday traffic. Not wanting to get stuck on HY 2 I drove to Leavenworth and back home on I-90 which turned out to be just as bad. As I finally broke free from traffic I was blasted with some intense thunderstorms. I managed to make it home only 30 minutes late. I saw a nice young black bear just after cresting Steven's pass. I saw the same bear on the news tonight. I had to laugh as I watched a man filming the bear from quite close. Looking at his wife's concern from 25 yards behind him was quite memorable.




Approx 10 miles 2500' 5:30 car to car

Mary's Peak, Judy's Peak 5.13.08

My original intent was to do something off of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie but when there was a steady rain on Sunday I knew a change of plans was in order. I always to head to Teanway when the weather is iffy and this was the perfect choice for this day. I picked up Nick and David at 0600 in Issaquah with a slight drizzle. By the time we crested Snoqualmie Pass there wasn't a cloud to be seen. I was able to drive further on the road than I was expecting. I pushed through a few small snow patches and pushed my luck through some larger ones before deciding that was enough tempting fate. I backtracked and parked near a bridge crossing the North Fork of the Teanaway. I eagerly applied sunscreen liberally. When I let the dogs out of the car they were off before I had a chance to leash them. The beagle crossed the river on the bridge and was off. I finished packing up and followed across the bridge yelling for him. With the rushing water I could not hear him and I was sure he couldn't hear me. I waited a while before deciding to get moving. I expected he would return to the car and wait for our return.




The goal was for a summit of Iron and Genes Peak via the Beverly Creek trail. The snow was rock hard so the long road walk to the summer traihead went quickly. Once we over the summer trail it traverses along the creek for .25 mile. I found this traverse to very unpleasant. It was very icy with a substantial drop to the rushing creek below. I broke out the ice axe and went very slowly. We crossed the creek and I decided that a change in plans were in order. I really didn't want to keep along the creek so we recrossed the creek near the Earl Peak trail. Instead of ascending the basin via the trail I had us climb the defined ridge heading North. The snow coverage was patchy but mostly consistent but was firm and very stable. We crested the ridge and lounged soaking up the warm sun and enjoying a bite to eat. Now on the ridge our route was plainly in front of us. Judy's Peak looked a little imposing but we had no problems topping out. Once on top of Judy's I wanted Mary's further along the ridge. Again we had no problems except for an occaional full body posthole. Since I had already climbed Bean Peak I had no desire to continue on the ridge so we contemplated our descent route. I really didn't want to retrace our steep ascent route and the basin below was begging for some bootprints. We all had a wonderful short but steep glissade to the basin below. I really enjoyed meandering through the basin.

Soon we were back for the most unpleasant traverse. The conditons had softened making it even more tedious. I was very thankful to all have passed without incident. The snow on the road had softened considerably making it little slower than our ascent. Soon we were back at the Subaru. The Beagle however was not.





I spent some time calling and searching to no avail. Not wanting to keep my partners and made the long drive home. When I told my wife about the lost dog I had half expected her to be happy. Beagles are not the easiest dog to own and with 2 small children can make for some tense moment. She wanted to go back and see if we could find him. We packed up the kids and were off for a "family adventure". I expected to see Baxter running down I-90 on the way. After nearly an hour of searching we had no luck. I think someone probably picked him up. Since he is microchipped I am still hopeful for a reuniting of my most annoying pet. I passed all my info to every agency I could think of so now we wait. For those of you that follow my escapades I am sure knew losing the Beagle was inevitable. If it wasn't for the loss of my pet it was one of my most enjoyable days in the mountains ever.



Approx 11 miles 4100' of climb 7:15 car to car