Previous :: Next Topic |
Author |
Message |
Jake Robinson Member
Joined: 02 Aug 2016 Posts: 521 | TRs | Pics
|
Eric and I climbed Mount Clark in the Olympics today. What a fun trip!
We met at the Upper Dungeness Trailhead late Friday night and slept in our vehicles. We left the trailhead at 5:20 AM and headlamped up to Royal Lake. It was a beautiful morning, but frigid (temps probably 15-20 degrees). We filled the water bottles at the creek crossing below Upper Royal Basin (the last running water we encountered) and then headed for Surprise Basin. The trail to upper Royal Basin was entirely snow free.
Alpenglow Mount Deception above a frozen creek Eric in upper Royal Basin Eric and a frozen tarn with Mt. Clark beyond Mount Deception above frozen tarn Hair frost Mount Clark (on the right) above Surprise Basin
Surprise Basin was slow going. We worked our way across tedious talus and scree and bare ice (crampons required) until we reached the pass at the N end of the basin. From there we followed Fletcher's route description for Clark. It is incredibly helpful and accurate and you should definitely use it if you plan to climb Clark.
Crevasse in Surprise Basin Eric on tedious loose terrain in Surprise Basin More Surprise Basin choss
We followed the obvious ledge for a while until we encountered the gully mentioned by Fletcher. We climbed the gully and rounded the corner to the NE face of Clark, where we encountered the first snow of the day. The short section after this corner was the crux of our trip. Eric downclimbed snowy and icy class 3 rock for a bit until he reached a section that required a rope. We rappelled off a convenient rock horn and left the rope in place to aid us on the way back. We continued traversing snowy ledges, then climbed steep snow and icy class 3 to the summit.
Eric starting the ledge Crux section. We rappelled the lower part of this. Eric rappelling Snowy ledge traversing Eric on the final moves to the summit
We hung out on the summit for over an hour. I love these crisp and clear fall days - everything from Mt. St. Helens to the North Cascades all the way to Mt. Garibaldi and the peaks of Vancouver Island was visible. What a treat to be here in mid November!
Eric on the summit of Clark Looking over to Johnson and Olympus Eric on Clark with Buckhorn, Cloudy, Warrior, Constance, Inner Constance Views north to Mt. Walkinshaw and Gray Wolf Ridge
We gingerly made our way back to Surprise Basin. Climbing back up the crux was easier than expected but the rope was useful as a handline. More tedious choss and ice got us back to upper Royal Basin, then we cruised out to the car, where ice-cold beers (no cooler required!) were waiting for us. Thanks Eric for another great trip!
Snowy ledge traverse on the way back Eric climbing back up the crux Johnson Olympic choss Icy Surprise Basin Looking back up at Clark Eric in Surprise Basin Eric looking out over Royal Basin Mount Deception Looking back to Surprise Basin. Clark on the right, Johnson on the left Eric descending into Royal Basin Down towards Royal Lake and Gray Wolf Ridge
|
Back to top |
|
|
raising3hikers Member
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 2343 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, Wa |
thanks for the great trip, jake! it was a great idea to take advantage of the poor and lack of snow pack in the Olympics. although it was a cold few hours of rest before heading out on the hike, the objective made up for the lack of sleep to keep me motivated.
we heard an owl along the trail hooting for a good 5 minutes, which I thought was a cool experience even though we couldn't see it. even as we headed uphill, we put extra layers on because of the cold. the trail is in great shape all the way up to royal basin. royal lake had about an inch of ice covering it.
-surprise basin was surprisingly super icy
-the ledges were snow free
-the north side cracks were snow filled and slick but doable (glad we had a rope)
-a nice summit stay naming peaks and snacking
johnson and clark above a frozen tarn icy surprise basin clark register grey wolf ridge jake downclimbing the summit looking back up the route to the summit deception and a frozen creek another icy creek
|
Back to top |
|
|
DIYSteve seeking hygge
Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 12655 | TRs | Pics Location: here now |
|
DIYSteve
seeking hygge
|
Sat Nov 17, 2018 11:06 pm
|
|
|
Cool area and a fun climb. One day?
raising3hikers wrote: | johnson and clark above a frozen tarn |
test
|
Back to top |
|
|
Brushbuffalo Member
Joined: 17 Sep 2015 Posts: 1887 | TRs | Pics Location: there earlier, here now, somewhere later... Bellingham in between |
Nice work, guys! I was looking out toward the Olympics today from Sumas Mtn and the thought occurred to me that one or both of you would be enjoying this beautiful day somewhere or other. Little did I know you would be over there.
Eric, it must have been cold indeed. I don't see you wearing your trademark, your Seahawks cap! Surely they make one with earmuffs.
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
|
Back to top |
|
|
puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7216 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
|
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
|
Sat Nov 17, 2018 11:46 pm
|
|
|
Wow, that crux section you rapped on looks way harder with the cracks filled in with snow. It was scary enough on a nice summer day that we looked around a while thinking we were off route, but no, that's the way.
|
Back to top |
|
|
silence Member
Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 4420 | TRs | Pics
|
|
silence
Member
|
Sun Nov 18, 2018 7:34 am
|
|
|
Nice! And, so beautiful up there right now.
PHOTOS
FILMS
Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
PHOTOS
FILMS
Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
|
Back to top |
|
|
DIYSteve seeking hygge
Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 12655 | TRs | Pics Location: here now |
|
DIYSteve
seeking hygge
|
Sun Nov 18, 2018 9:13 am
|
|
|
puzzlr wrote: | Wow, that crux section you rapped on looks way harder with the cracks filled in with snow. It was scary enough on a nice summer day that we looked around a while thinking we were off route, but no, that's the way. |
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. The guidebook calls it class 3 -- class 3 my ass!
I'm still getting my arms around Eric and Jake doing the route car-to-car in one day.
|
Back to top |
|
|
IanB Vegetable Belayer
Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 1061 | TRs | Pics Location: gone whuljin' |
|
IanB
Vegetable Belayer
|
Sun Nov 18, 2018 9:50 am
|
|
|
Nice!
The low-angle light really adds some striking definition to the photos of Clark and Johnson.
"Forget gaining a little knowledge about a lot and strive to learn a lot about a little." - Harvey Manning
"Forget gaining a little knowledge about a lot and strive to learn a lot about a little." - Harvey Manning
|
Back to top |
|
|
geyer Member
Joined: 23 May 2017 Posts: 462 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
|
geyer
Member
|
Mon Nov 19, 2018 10:11 am
|
|
|
Wow so dry! looks like they'll finally be getting their winter coats on Wednesday and Thursday
|
Back to top |
|
|
iron Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 6391 | TRs | Pics Location: southeast kootenays |
|
iron
Member
|
Mon Nov 19, 2018 10:32 am
|
|
|
definitely a good time and spot for that rope.
DIYsteve: i think the bulk of the climb after the ledge is CL3. the ledge itself is CL2 with 4th class exposure (when snow-free and dry)
|
Back to top |
|
|
Fletcher Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 1870 | TRs | Pics Location: kirkland |
|
Fletcher
Member
|
Mon Nov 19, 2018 10:47 am
|
|
|
Very cool peak. Nice job guys!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Stefan Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001 Posts: 5082 | TRs | Pics
|
|
Stefan
Member
|
Mon Nov 19, 2018 10:49 am
|
|
|
Uh. Yeah. That looks hairier with your conditions. That sure put hair on your belly for man stuff!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Brian R Member
Joined: 10 Feb 2018 Posts: 501 | TRs | Pics
|
|
Brian R
Member
|
Mon Nov 19, 2018 11:04 pm
|
|
|
Great read and photos. The Surprise Glacier lives!
|
Back to top |
|
|
|