[neek]

After a scouting trip last week (not to mention a complete navigational failure into the Thunder Creek basin years ago), I was anxious to finally see the top of Clark. Allocating two days meant we'd have time for Luahna as well, and after not much arm twisting I agreed to try the more scenic Walrus Glacier route. We had a leisurely afternoon stroll down the White River trail and up to Boulder Pass. The Boulder Creek ford at 4100' was pretty much as before, but this time I wore shoes and carried a dog (a friend with two dogs joined us on the first day). Knee deep but moving fast, with big round slippery rocks underneath. There are two or three main branches, and the last is by far the worst. Also beware of nettles right before the crossing. The trail for the next 1000' is in good shape, with a few snow patches remaining. I hoped to run into a fellow nwhiker who I saw from the register was day hiking Clark. Where the Shepard's Trail splits off (still under snow) we looked over and saw a tiny speck coming down from the ridge. We had just downed our Rainiers, however, and were ready to move on. Boulder Pass was still buried, but we found two small dry flat spots on which to pitch tents. It stayed fairly warm through the night so we knew the snow would be soft. We began hiking the next day at 6:15 AM, by which time it was already bright out and getting hot. We didn't really drop much from Boulder Pass, but stayed high, above the rocky bits. (On the return we went below them, which required slightly less sidehilling.) Rounding the next corner at 7000' brought the Walrus Glacier (called the Clark Glacier on the map) into view. It appeared to be in great shape, with the line to the summit fairly direct and obvious. Like most parties, we ended up making a Z in the middle to get around some broken up bits. Overall it was very mellow, and we were soon on Clark's E ridge, a mix of snow and rock. Obtaining the summit wasn't difficult. Getting over to Luahna was less of a walk in the park. Simply getting down the SW ridge of Clark was annoying, with steep loose dirt/rock and snow. At 7600', when we appeared to be past the cliffy bits, we turned right, and sidehilled for what seemed like forever, gaining and losing several hundred feet in the process. What at first we thought were several sets of boot tracks were probably goats rather. When directly south of Luahna, we started heading up. The SE ridge looked like the most promising line of attack, and we attained it around 8200'. You wouldn't want to get up there much lower than that. At first the ridge was easy but then it got a little spicy, with some exposed knife edge sections. Fun IMO but perhaps the crux of the whole trip. Relieved to be at the midpoint of the journey, we signed the register full of familiar names, and enjoyed the T-shirt conditions for a few minutes. For the return, we tried something different. My partner suggested hitting the Walrus early and going around the N side of Clark. I was nervous about switching to an unknown route but from the summit of Luahna we could see the whole thing laid out, and it looked quite mellow. This was indeed the case. We climbed a little above the saddle between Pt 7970 and Clark, then crossed over to the N side. After some gentle ups and downs we met up with our previous tracks and followed them back. This shortcut saved a fair amount of time and misery, and for all I know could be a common way to return, but I don't recall reading about it anywhere. Back at the pass, we broke down our camp and began the long walk back to the car. Boulder creek was flowing higher than before and like a klutz I lost footing and got soaked up to my belly. I was glad to have my electronics stowed up high. A 4-mile long swarm of determined mosquitoes was waiting for us along the White River trail. I had heard about this menace, but due to their modest appearance the previous day (and complete absence the previous week), wasn't expecting it to nearly so bad. They kept us moving at least, and we made it back off lamp (barely).

Lower crossing of Boulder Creek. No, the dogs didn't accompany us on the climb.

Saul

David

Starting the day from Boulder Pass

Impressive cliffs below Clark

North side of Clark

Walrus

Approaching the summit of Clark

Summit pano from Clark, looking down the DaKobeds to Glacier Peak

Bonanza

7FJ and Maude

Saul and Indian Head

Heading to Luahna

Luahna SE ridge

When stitching together a panorama is an afterthought

Luahna summit pano

Looking back at Luahna from the saddle between Pt 7970 and Clark

About where we crossed over

Getting ready to traverse N of Clark

Looking back

Sphinx moth

Walrus glacier ice

Napeequa valley

Map

[kitya]

poor moth! i hope you saved her?

[awilsondc]

Nice job on the getting back there and summiting this time. I really need to make it up there in the next year or two. Looks like such a beautiful area!

[neek]

[OutOfOffice]

I'm the guy in blue above and just wanted to add some of my photos. I'll try not to post many duplicate scenes. Great trip! I can finally feel my legs again.

Looking back down the Boulder Creek Valley.

Topping out on Boulder Pass.

The new tent was a success.

Looking back down on camp at the pass.

Mounting the Walrus.

How many feet is it?!?!

Bob's ordinary suburban life was turned upside down when he discovered that his wife is a regular at their neighbor's summit sex parties.

Up close and personal.

Mt. Si looking good today.

The White River Valley: Mosquito Central

Saul and David on the way to Luahna.

Not sure what these guys are doing up here, but then again, what are we doing up here? Having fun

Shark!

On the way down from Luahna. The clouds began to come in.

As Neek mentioned above, this is where we got onto the Walrus glacier to avoid that climb back up Clark on our return.

[Gregor]

Great photos. Its been years since I was up there but i do recall the traverse around Clark being pretty mellow. Nice job getting these done.