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Fletcher Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 1870 | TRs | Pics Location: kirkland |
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Fletcher
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Wed Jul 10, 2019 10:55 am
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I picked up Rob from Seatac Monday morning and was so stoked that I was able to convince him to do Liberty Cap with me for our first trip. After stopping to get some food, scoring a permit, and sorting gear, we weren't hiking towards Glacier Basin until 1pm. A semi-leisurely 6 hours later, we'd climbed up over Steamboat Prow to Camp Schurman. It was super crowded there so we camped 100 feet higher at Emmons Flats and had the place to ourselves. Sadly, after melting all of our water and getting ready for bed, we realized that we had to wake up 2 hours later... so glad we packed the tent in!
Rainier from the Glacier Basin Trail Rob heading up Steamboat Prow The Emmons Winthrop sunset sunset
We woke up at 11:15 after hardly sleeping at all, roped up, and started slogging. There was a party of 8 that had just started a little before us, and a party of 3 that was already nearing the top of "The Corridor". The route on the Emmons was in great shape, we had fun peering into huge crevasses as we crossed over onto the Winthrop. By the time we reached 12,500 ft, we caught up to the rope team of 3 and were the first group to reach the broad saddle between Columbia Crest and Liberty Cap around 4:30. It was so, so cold. I was really looking forward to the sun coming up.
Rob at the top of the Winthrop Glacier at first light Lib Cap
Once we reached the flat traverse from the top of the Winthrop, over to Liberty Cap, I began to notice that the altitude and lack of sleep were really taking a toll on me. General sluggishness, constant stopping to catch my breath, and a bad frontal lob headache joined us on the final slog to the top. It was a beautiful morning to be alive up there, although the wind was frigid.
sunrise Columbia Crest Sunrise - Stuart Range Rob at sunrise Liberty Cap
We had slogged to the top of Liberty Cap by 5:30, 5:15 after rolling out of camp. There was one sketchy snow bridge crossing over a crack 100 ft below the summit. The final summit push was through a field of penitentes which I thought was pretty cool. The views were enjoyable, but we couldn't hang out long because of the cold.
summit views Puget Sound Baker Rainier shadow with penitente Rainier summitshot
Liberty Cap was my 100th summit on the WA T100 List, which strictly defines the 100 highest peaks in Washington that have at least 400 feet of topographical prominence. The T100 list differs from the more popular Bulger List by seven summits: Castle Peak, Luna Peak, Mount Ballard, Colfax Peak, Sherman Peak, Lincoln Peak, and Liberty Cap. Since Lincoln Peak is on the T100, it sees far fewer list completions than the Bulger List. According to John Roper, I am the 18th person to finish the list. At 29 years 3 months old, I am also currently the youngest, until Jake Robinson gets his ass up Lincoln next spring.
The descent kicked my ass. I was feeling like sh## and we traded the frigid cold for a glacial furnace around 12,500 ft. Beers at the Naches Tavern felt well deserved around 3pm. Special thanks to my old buddy Rob, seeing this goal through with me!
~18 miles
~10,000 ft of gain
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lopper off-route
Joined: 22 Jan 2002 Posts: 845 | TRs | Pics
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lopper
off-route
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Wed Jul 10, 2019 11:18 am
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Great report. Pictures and facts.
Oh yeah, "frontal lobe headache", "beautiful morning to be alive"
Congrats.
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Big Kev Big Kev
Joined: 26 Jul 2018 Posts: 5 | TRs | Pics Location: Covington WA |
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Big Kev
Big Kev
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Wed Jul 10, 2019 12:55 pm
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Congratulation on an incredible accomplishment! Sounds like you would have been better off not bothering with camping and taking some Diamox to help with the altitude.
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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
Really stoked for you! Bulger completions are a dime a dozen these days.
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Midnight Slogger 'Schwack Job
Joined: 04 Aug 2017 Posts: 96 | TRs | Pics Location: Greater Cascadia |
Fletcher wrote: | Rob at sunrise |
Rob's pose seems to embody the moment well.
Congrats brother!
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iron Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 6391 | TRs | Pics Location: southeast kootenays |
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iron
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Wed Jul 10, 2019 4:39 pm
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Michael Lewis Taking a nap
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 629 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood, WA (for now) |
congratz dude
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puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7216 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
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Wed Jul 10, 2019 6:10 pm
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That's a big deal -- and so many years left to enjoy climbing without pursuing a list
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raising3hikers Member
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 2343 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, Wa |
glad you got it bud
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Jake Robinson Member
Joined: 02 Aug 2016 Posts: 521 | TRs | Pics
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Huge accomplishment, so happy to see you finish! Congrats
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~*CutebutChossy69*~ bluebagprincess
Joined: 08 Jul 2019 Posts: 58 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
dude I've been bulger-chaser-fangirling u for years and now this!? T100 fangirl status... congrats! if u lose another toenail u could make a keychain to match ur necklace
Choss is a girl's best friend
Choss is a girl's best friend
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belowfellow Transplant
Joined: 22 Feb 2009 Posts: 261 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
nice work, bud! onto Smoot??
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MangyMarmot Member
Joined: 06 Apr 2012 Posts: 474 | TRs | Pics
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Awesome climb, Fletcher! Love the sunrise photos.
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Fletcher Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 1870 | TRs | Pics Location: kirkland |
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Fletcher
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Thu Jul 11, 2019 4:36 pm
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Thanks all!
Adam: I think a bulger completion is a huge achievement. The T100 is only harder because of Lincoln, which isn’t that bad if you manage to hit it right
Reid: couldn’t have done it without you, always appreciate your positivity in the mountains, it’s contagious.
Iron: not doing the T200
Mike: thanks man! Miss our days of slogging Bulger Peaks in the GPW! “This is the hardest day of my life!”
Puzzlr: thank you! Some of your stellar TRs are sure to help me with some objectives I’d like to get done next couple years.
Eric: thank you! You’ll also be listless and lost soon enough ;-)
Jake: have a nice winter with Lincoln consuming your mind 24/7. 2nd winter ascent?
Rikki: keep chasing that list! The only cure is completion.
Matt: the Smoot list is cool and I definitely wanna do most of them, but I’m not sure I’ll ever bring myself to drive that crappy road to Mowich Lake for Fay Peak...
Dave: Thank you! You were a quintessential partner for me on some key trips, which I appreciate ver much!
Not getting into the T200....
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GeoTom Member
Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 3215 | TRs | Pics Location: Earth |
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GeoTom
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Thu Jul 11, 2019 6:25 pm
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Congrats on finishing.
Fletcher wrote: | Not getting into the T200.... |
You keep telling yourself that and you might actually believe it.
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