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Not sure how this TR will turn out I am pretty darn tired so forgive me if it stinks. 
I have been wanting to do Daniel since I saw it from granite 4 years ago. Daniel is a fun and beautiful climb. I this a little of everything and many good routes. We chose the SE ridge route. Here is a pic of Daniel from Alta. 
Met Hichen at TH and started up around 7ish. Weather was perfect. no bugs at TH. Once we reached the little pond just below Peggy's pond we did a little cross country/bushwack up the ridge to the west of the trail to Peggy's. This took us up and above Peggy's to meet up with the climbers trail. I was starting to get warm out and the only bugs where black fies. Started up the SE ridge on a climbers track (one of many). We left the track several times as we traversed up to the top of the ridge. The heather and other flowers are full force around 7000'.  
Once we gained the ridge WOW what a sight. We could see all the way from Baker to Adams. As we climbed up Lakes peaked out form everywhere. Ran into a couple of other climbers headed down and chatted a bit. We stayed on the ridge top (some class 3 stuff FUN!)till we reached the East summit.  
From here we traversed around the SW face of east peak through talas and scree. Clmb up a steep section of Talas and scree to reach the summit ridge. From there we could finally see our Goal. It seemed as if the ridge just went on and on and on. It was a piece of cake from here on. Just before gaining the summit we traversed through a small snow field, the only snow we touched on the way up. The summit register is full so if some one is headed up bring something with ya. We signed our permit and left it. We spent over an hour on top. The views where endless. A couple of climbers that took lynch glacier where camped at top in a nice spot. BTW Lynch is in perfect shape for climbing right now!  
On the way down we chose to descend the top of Daniel Glacier to to the saddle NW of the East peak. Then we skirted back around the sw face of the east peak. From here we dropped down and traversed the snow fields to avoid all the ups and downs of the rest of ridge. 
Hichen boot skied down most o f the snow field. It was quite mushy by this time of day. Great climb out with the sun getting lower in the sky. Once back at the truck I was surprised with a gift from FS.  a ticket!
I have a pass!!!!!!!! What a way to end the perfect day huh. I went to set up camp and Hichen headed home. All in all Daniel is a spectacular climb. 16 miles RT 5200 gain brought crampons but did not use used ice axe briefly but all snow can be avoided at this time. After breaking camp and driving to Rachel lake th I got started up the trail to Alta around 10am. Tons of people and flys on this trail. Saw a guy several times with a cat  on his backpack. It was very hot and i was tired from the climb the day before but I still made good time to rachel lake. At Rachel I found a spot in the shade soaked my feet and took a nap.
Then up the ridge I went. from Rampart ridge you can gain the summit ridge to Alta or go to the right and head over to lillian. I chose to head to lillian to take a look I knew i could get upi Alta from there. From The lake basin I went cross country up to the summit ridge to Alta. This is where i was running out of steam. It was 92 degrees according to my altimeter. too friggin hot. Got to the summit took some pics and retreated to some shade. 
This is a easy fun scramble as a solo. Views are grand. rt miles 12 4000'gain saw like 10 skeeters all weekend just the biting flies and horse flies where and pain in the ............  Posted By: tazz In: Mount Daniel 7896' & Alta Mountain 6250' |