Interesting comparison Mark, definitely looks like we both traveled down the same gulley. We did not find any evidence of an old trail, or your ice axe at the bottom though.
However, a couple years ago a mutual friend did a spring snowshoe hike into 7 lakes basin. He dropped his ice axe along the traverse from Deer Lake to Round Lake. A week later Jan, Jeff and I ski toured the same route and guess what we found .....................
Typical terrain on the way to the col. This picture shows me holding our friend's ice axe. He lost it the previous weekend, we were lucky enough to find it and return it to him.
We climbed to the summit climber's left of the Col. The views from here were fantastic! This picture is looking west towards the Elwha Snowfinger
Hey! I recognize this view. Nice place to camp. 9/5/11
Gary-n-Jan wrote:
Enjoying a shady break at upper Martins Lake. (Photo: Jeff)
and adjacent terrain.
Just in case you were wondering the posts in this picture were for my tent. I wanted to take my trekking poles with me on my climb of Mt Christie so I improvised.
Great trip! I recognize the meadows that you passed through as you headed down to the Rustler.
Wow, just saw this incredible trip! I've completed several Olympic high traverses over the decades--but have not been to Muncaster Basin. (As I'm new here, and this is my first post, I'll make a point to share these trips as I figure out the site.) Now inspired by your trip, a friend and I are looking at repeating your loop and I am hoping you can answer a couple of questions.
First, did you drop into Rustler Creek by choice or necessity? I'm wondering if you believe there may be a route over the top of Mount Delebarre and down to the col between Godkin and Rustler Creeks instead? If so, in your opinion would it be any more or less expeditious than the route you traveled?
Second, would you repeat this loop in the same direction you did it? e.g. clockwise and down Fire Creek instead of up?
Many thanks in advance for any info you are able/willing to provide. FWIW, our "other option" for this summer's annual traverse is a crossing of Baranof Island in Alaska from Sitka to Warm Springs. Either way, I'll post the report.
Brian
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However, a couple years ago a mutual friend did a spring snowshoe hike into 7 lakes basin. He dropped his ice axe along the traverse from Deer Lake to Round Lake. A week later Jan, Jeff and I ski toured the same route and guess what we found .....................
