Forum Index > Trip Reports > Mount Catherine Sunrise via Nordic Pass Trail 4/16/17
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awilsondc
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awilsondc
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PostSun Apr 16, 2017 8:04 pm 
I took advantage of the recent break in poor weather and went up Mount Catherine via the Nordic Pass Trail to catch the sunrise from the summit on Easter morning. I started hiking at 3:30 and was pleased to find a trail broken all the way up to the summit from yesterday. This was awesome. The Nordic Pass Trail has recently been re-marked by JimK, Gary, John, Louise, Bill, and another John which makes following the trail a breeze... in daytime. At night however the diamonds are tough to pick out. Had there not been a trail I would have seriously struggled to stay on route so I was very happy to have footsteps to follow the whole way up. At Nordic Pass I went up a bit too early and had to contend with some very steep terrain where I was grateful I had brought my ice axe. Once back on route it was a breeze up to the summit where I was greeted by this:
Mount Catherine Sunrise Panorama
Mount Catherine Sunrise Panorama
All my pano's turned out relatively crummy but the sky was ablaze with dawn colors! I reached the summit about 20 minutes before sunrise which I spent taking photos and trying to not get blown over as it was pretty windy on top.
Thomson and Chimney Rock Group
Thomson and Chimney Rock Group
Kaleetan and Chair
Kaleetan and Chair
Stuart
Stuart
Kaleetan and Chair with dawn colors
Kaleetan and Chair with dawn colors
Rainier, Tinkham, Abiel, and Silver
Rainier, Tinkham, Abiel, and Silver
Rainier with Alpenglow
Rainier with Alpenglow
The dawn colors were phenomenal. Rainier looked really good in a solid pink alpenglow, and the sun was beginning to rise right over Mount Stuart.
Dawn breaking over Stuart
Dawn breaking over Stuart
Sunrise
Sunrise
As the sun rose, the colorful skies faded away but light continued to dance on the surrounding peaks.
Tinkham with Alpenglow
Tinkham with Alpenglow
Morning light on Kaleetan
Morning light on Kaleetan
Chair Peak
Chair Peak
I really with I would have stayed longer to see the changing light, but it was frickin windy and cold up there and my fingers were numb and freezing (they're still a little tender typing this) so I started heading down. There were still good views to be had on the way back.
Views from the west ridge of Mount Catherine
Views from the west ridge of Mount Catherine
Snow
Snow
Trees
Trees
I didn't see another soul out there today, I had the place all to myself. 6 hours car to car. I used microspikes, snowshoes, and ice axe.
Easter sun burst
Easter sun burst
Happy Easter!

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JimK
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JimK
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PostSun Apr 16, 2017 8:25 pm 
Thanks for the report. Glad to hear folks are using the route. I've been up Catherine a few times but have never had views like that. Solo in the dark is an ambitious trip.

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mbravenboer
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mbravenboer
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PostSun Apr 16, 2017 8:36 pm 
up.gif You definitely planned wisely for good photos!

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Zloi
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Zloi
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PostSun Apr 16, 2017 8:43 pm 
Bully for you, getting up so early to reach the top just before sunrise! Can't say I am especially jealous--I have a hard time any more rousing myself early on weekends for trips into the mountains. Your pictures, however, are wonderful and suggest the effort was worth it. Thanks for sharing!

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RichP
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RichP
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PostSun Apr 16, 2017 8:51 pm 
awilsondc wrote:
Tinkham with Alpenglow
Tinkham with Alpenglow
Great photos. This is my favorite. up.gif

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Randito
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Randito
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PostMon Apr 17, 2017 7:15 am 
Right on!

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Token Civilian
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Token Civilian
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PostMon Apr 17, 2017 11:54 am 
up.gif up.gif up.gif up.gif up.gif up.gif up.gif up.gif

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Distel32
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Distel32
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PostMon Apr 17, 2017 12:41 pm 
up.gif

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Mikey
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PostTue Apr 18, 2017 5:09 pm 
Thanks for the great photos! What camera did you use?

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kitya
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kitya
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PostTue Apr 18, 2017 5:16 pm 
Mikey wrote:
Thanks for the great photos! What camera did you use?
I'm not the owner, but you can almost always find out the camera and setting from JPEG photos by looking at EXIF metadata. These photos were taken with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ60.

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awilsondc
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awilsondc
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PostTue Apr 18, 2017 9:07 pm 
kitya wrote:
These photos were taken with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ60.
I can confirm, this is correct. smile.gif It's been a great point and shoot but I'm due for an upgrade here soon.

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Kenji
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Kenji
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PostTue Apr 18, 2017 10:53 pm 
Nicely done up.gif Time for me to get moving!

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SergioNapelo
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SergioNapelo
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PostTue Apr 18, 2017 11:19 pm 
up.gif nice trip!

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. From where shall my help come. My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!" - David, King of Israel 1,000 BC
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cathorse
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cathorse
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PostWed Apr 19, 2017 9:54 am 
As one of the folks who helped with marking the trail this year, so glad to hear it is being used and enjoyed. I personally really enjoyed your photos - some great shots!

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iron
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iron
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PostWed Apr 19, 2017 10:19 am 
nice

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