Small Party Self-Rescue
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Thinking I wasn’t getting nearly enough learning opportunity in law school, I signed up for a small party self-rescue class through The Mountaineers. I hadn’t practiced rescue techniques for upwards of six years, so this would be a good refresher as well as an opportunity to learn something besides the law.
Our mission today was to practice load transfers (from climbing rope, to wall, to rappel rope) and try our hands at a “counter balance rappel.”
The best climber in the world
Sunday, September 9, 2007
"The best climber in the world is the one who’s having the most fun.”
-- Alex Lowe (1958-1999)
Snowfield Peak
Saturday, September 8, 2007
You may remember that many (MANY) moons ago, Nick and I ordered a tandem. After a series of unfortunate delays it finally arrived on our doorstep yesterday. And while I’d hoped to be posting pictures of the completed bike by now, shoddy fork-man-ship left us at a construction impasse at 6 p.m. this evening. It may be Monday before we are able to remedy the situation.
In the mean time we’re entertaining suggestions for names for the bike. So far we’ve come up with Cinnamon Pony and the Aircraft Carrier. My mother nominated Cinnamon Bear last night, as well. Any suggestions would be welcome. Just leave a comment.
This also gives me time to edit pictures of last weekend’s climb of Snowfield Peak.
Rod in the foreground, Snowfield Peak in the background
Labor Day is a little late to be considering an ascent of most of Washington’s glaciated peaks. The forecast was good, though, so we decided against odds to give it a go.
For background, Snowfield Peak is an interesting summit in the North Cascades, about five miles ESE of the town of Newhalem. It isn’t visible from the North Cascade Highway, but its neighbors (Colonial Peak, Paul Bunyan’s Stump, Pinnacle Peak and Pyramid Peak) can easily be seen.
Bailey Range tease
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Two days after finals, I took off with John, Dave and Marla for nine days in the Olympics. Our objective: traverse the park from north to south via Sol Duc, Heart Lake, the Bailey Range and Skyline Trail. The total distance was just over 75 miles with 20,000+ feet of elevation gain and loss.
Unfortunately, we spent most of our days in the clouds (at least it didn’t rain). A miraculous break in the weather gave us the view pictured in the video above as we walked along the crest between Mt. Pulitzer and the Queets Glacier.
Paddy-Go-Easy High Traverse
Sunday, August 19, 2007
View of Mt. Rainier from camp
The weather has been unseasonably cool for August this year, so when it looked like we had a two-day window of opportunity, Mike and I headed out for a quick overnight adventure. After considering our options, we settled on a high traverse from Paddy-Go-Easy Pass to Robin Lakes.
We arrived at the TH at 9:15 a.m., packed up and were off within a half hour. The hike up to the pass was unremarkable, but hikers making the effort will be rewarded with wildflowers galore (when they’re in season) and outstanding views of many nearby peaks and ridges.
Mike on the way to Paddy-Go-Easy Pass
From there we left the trail and headed north on mostly open ridges. Following mis-guided beta from a friend we lost two hours trying to find a way around cliff bands above the French Potholes, but eventually found a way over the top of the peak and onto easier terrain on the west side of the ridge.
Finally on easier terrain
Given the time we decided to cut our day short and camp at the unnamed tarns between the French Potholes and Robin Lakes. What a happy choice. We enjoyed beautiful views in complete solitude – far from the hoards of backpackers at Robin Lakes.
The next morning we ate a leisurely breakfast and headed off. After bagging Granite Mountain, we traversed high around the east side of Robin Lakes, exploring all of the side-trails along the way.
The final ridge to the top Granite Mountain
Getting from Robin down to Tuck Lake was a simple matter of following the cairns down granite slabs and taking the correct path among the maze of paths to the lake. From there it was an easy 6.4 mile hike to the Hyas Lake TH and a 1-mile road walk back to the car.
View of Robin Lake and Mt. Daniel from the east
Read on for more detailed beta if you’d like to repeat the trip.