[Fletcher]

Dave, Reed, and I got Summit Chief yesterday. We weren't hiking toward Pete Lake until 8am. An hour later we turned up toward Waptus Pass. Once we reached Waptus Pass we bushwhacked up the ridge toward the PCT. The rain from the night before had left all the brush totally soaked so we all got drenched immediately and had to endure wet socks the rest of the day.

Dave smacked his knee on the brush bash

Chimney Rock

Dave and some slabs

Reed with objective in view

After passing by the Vista Tarns, we entered the vast slabby terrain that goes out toward Summit Chief. Such pleasant travel through here! We made great time and soon found ourselves nearing the summit.

Dave with encroaching smoke

We went up talus right of the snow here, didnt bring boots or crampons

Instead of taking the standard route up the large ledge that accesses the southern slopes, we were lured into climbing a variation of what Neek did a couple years ago and climbed awesomely solid and exposed rock straight toward the summit. I would call it stiff class 3+ with a few splashes of class 4 thrown in. Like I said, the rock was great so it instilled confidence.

summit ahead

up here

dont fall Dave!

Reed sniffing out the route

Dave in action

Dave with exposure

Reed on the exposed mental crux

Dave on mental crux

We ended up cresting the ridge just north of the summit. We topped out just after 2pm. It was really smokey and we didnt get much for views. Summit Chief was my 80th Smoot Peak. Since we didnt have much for views, we signed the register and descended the standard route.

Summit Chief summitshot

Hinman and Daniel

Chimney Rock and Overcoat

Dave at the notch

a short downclimb

no axe, no problem!

no axe, no problem!

a smokey Snoqualmie Crest

looking back

Vista Dip

After a quick dip in the upper Vista Tarn, we cruised out to the car, arriving just before 7pm. Fun day! ~20 miles ~10 hrs 50 mins

[neek]

That Dave, always getting himself into trouble. Glad to see you went the "fun" way. You're right, it isn't really that bad.

[ONELUV1]

Glad you made it back up there to tag that one. Such a great trip last time with you and the swimming was superb. Spider bites.... Judging by Reed’s pack, i’d geuss he had more than a bag of carrots in there.

[*trace]

Action Dave. Did he give you summit treats?

[Jake Robinson]

Nice report, fun looking mountain, fun group

[MangyMarmot]

Good report, Fletcher. No photos for me this time. I forgot the camera.

[raising3hikers]

nice plan B guys! I bet dave's scratched up leg didn't slow him down a bit. also like reed's glissading style

[puzzlr]

I've always wondered what it looked like to go straight for the summit. Thanks for taking so many photos in that section. Sorry about the smoky air -- views from Summit Chief are great.

[awilsondc]

This is another one that's been high on my list for a couple years. Might just have to do it here in the next month or two. I was always curious about the direct route after Neek's report. Thanks for posting more detailed info about that route. I'm definitely gonna climb it now, looks like fun!

[Brushbuffalo]

Nice work, guys.

[Midnight Slogger]

Thanks BB, I knew someone was bound to call me out in all those photos! If my noggin bucket was as stylin' as Dave's it might be easier to remember to put it on once in a while. Rob: there were indeed many carrots enjoyed on Summit Chief, but I saved you some for our trip up Bears Breast when you finally get out with us again.

[Adampegg]

This is the strangest question but it’s too ironic not to ask. To the dude with the La Sportiva shoes— did you find those in the woods ??? Because that would be awesome if they were the ones I lost off my pack while I was in the slide alder beneath summit chief. It was just 1 week before your trip too. Nah ...

[Adampegg]

Hey guys, I see there’s a group here that’s climbed summit chief. I’d like to know if anyone has attempted it from the Dutch Miller gap. Beckey has a route so it must be known but I’m fishing for someone who’s done it ...

[Mike Collins]

I climbed Overcoat, Little Big Chief, Middle Chief, and Summit Chief from Dutch Miller Gap. The trip report was written up on wta.org

[Adampegg]

Thank you! I’ll find it