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Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:50 am
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Three dogs herded their people to various points above Welcome Pass today:
- Jasper’s Group, Point 5933: GeoTom, don b, Randy, mtnmike, Suzanne R, Fay P
- Dougie’s Group, Point 5743: Ian & Mary Jane McK, Greg & Sara K, Lori J
- Dakota’s Group, Point 5854: paultkuhn, Matt, Natala G, Juan E
This trip report could also be titled "Little Black Dots on Long White Ridges." After the group divided at Welcome Pass, we could see each other on the opposite ridge as smaller and smaller black dots leaving a trail of white tracks further and further into the distance. Even a couple miles away, those receding black dots were just barely visible against the white crest.
This was the third time to Welcome Pass for me:
- First time, the crest was a soft mystery of fresh-falling flakes, it’s edges and ends disappearing into shifting curtains of mist and snow.
- Second time, the crest was a wind-carved sculpture of rippled crust and corniced waves, surrounded by shoals of snowy peaks under clear cold skies.
- Third time, the crest was a gleaming banquet of bright whipped cream and folds of satiny silk, swooping along the ridges and soaring up the faces of the peaks, all basking under warm deep blue skies.
The greatest dilemma was whether to keep exploring further for the beautiful views, or just luxuriate longer in the wonderfully warm sunshine.
Trip Map (dogleg on left is incorrect) 33 labels 360 degree pan from Point 5854, with labels
As before, we parked by SR542 (2000ft), hiked about ¾ of a mile up the road to the trailhead (2500), and another ¾ mile where the trail follows another road. We missed the point where the trail leaves the road (3000), found it a hundred feet uphill, followed it awhile, then lost it again (circa 3500), and made our own route the rest of the way to the pass (5350).
A strong group kicked steps all the way up to the summit. Directly up. With big long steps. No matter how steep. With nary a concession to such trivialities as switchbacks. Alas, they soon were too far ahead to hear the pleas for mercy or cries of outrage from the us normal humans trailing along behind.
Trailhead On the trail Hangdog Welcome Pass & Point 5854 Welcome Pass & Sefrit
From the pass, Jasper’s group headed east to Point 5933.
Dougal’s group, arriving later, headed the same direction, but stopped on the flats near Point 5743.
I joined Dakota’s group to head west and north to Point 5854.
Along the way, we could look east and watch the tiny black dots of the other parties moving higher and cutting a bright track up to the end of their ridge.
Don setting perfectly spaced steps eastward Group heading east Paul heading west Groups heading both directions
Paul kicked steps all the way to the top. The warm damp snow was stable, tended to cling to one’s snowshoes like concrete.
The route to 5854 turned out to be easy – a walk westward on the main ridge, a curve to the right to get around a steep corner, and then a hike northward up to the summit. The final ridge was almost an arête, with a minor cornice and lots of snowball tracks down the side slopes, but nothing loose. The summit had a nice flat area just below the top, with a few rock and snow outcrops for decoration.
Ascending 5854 Side slope of 5854 (Note dots of hikers approaching 5933 at right) Tracks on the crest
We relaxed for an hour on the summit, basking in the warm sunshine and bright views.
5854 summit group – Natala, Juan, Paul, Dakota 5854 summit from side outcrop Matt on a side outcrop Matt just below the summit Summit tea & Welcome Pass Summit tea & Point 5933
Views of the other groups (if you enlarge the photos, you can see the little black dot people:
Group at 5933 summit (with Winchester behind) Departing 5933 summit Group near Point 5743
Views of surrounding peaks:
Damfino American Border Larrabee Goat Sefrit, Ruth & Icy, & Welcome Pass Shuksan Baker
Reluctantly we departed.
Paul & Dakota heading down Juan & Natala heading down Snow wheels heading down
Loathe to leave too soon, I ambled over to the 5600 closed contour a little further west on the main ridge, dwadling to watch how the afternoon sun dimpled the snowbanks and stretched long shadows from the trees. The melt patterns on the trees also showed the sun’s one-sided impact.
Looking back at Point 5854 (with Damfino & Tomyhoi) Shadow dimples Half & Half Trees Icy Horizontal & Vertical
From here, I could see all three of the destinations I’ve explored near Welcome Pass
Point 5850, 2/15/04 Point 5933, 1/21/08 Point 5854, 2/17/08 Welcome Pass itself
Then I followed my own lengthening shadow back down to the pass
Tall as the trees Long legs Nearing the pass
The moon rose over the ridge, where wide lanes of tracks led back from 5933.
Hikers returning to Welcome Pass (with Goat Mtn) Randy & Don waiting for me Tracks & Moon
Dropping down from the pass went quick. On the lower slopes, the snow had softened and compressed enough to allow about 500 feet of easy glissading right through the trees. When we hit the road part of the trail, I got a picture of Dougie’s group, since I’d missed them earlier. After crossing the creek at 2850, we angled downhill on a shortcut suggested by mtnmike, which cut off a loop of road walking and brought us back to the road below the trailhead.
Dougal’s Group
Chronology: Depart cars 8:45am, arrive Welcome Pass 12:00pm, arrive Point 5854 1:24pm, depart 2:30pm, side trip to 5600 2:55pm, return to Welcome Pass 3:25pm, return to cars 5:05pm
Stats: 9 miles, 4300 gain, 8:15 hrs
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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GeoTom Member
Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 3215 | TRs | Pics Location: Earth |
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GeoTom
Member
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Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:49 am
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Thanks Matt for organizing this outing, and to Paul for driving and Dakota for putting up with Jasper. And to Fay for retrieving the shovel handle that jumped ship off my pack.
A strenuous day for me, but well worth the effort. Glad I applied sunscreen too.
Some of my photos from the day
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paultkuhn Member
Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 103 | TRs | Pics
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GT,
I love that picture of Dakota. I think the best way to get a shot of her is to have somebody keep her attention with a sandwich.
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WildCelticRose Oooh ! Shiny !
Joined: 06 Apr 2007 Posts: 242 | TRs | Pics Location: Tacoma |
Awesome pictures!
Sorry I had to miss it this time, but the way my legs feel today (not to mention my tush after Sunday's bike ride) it was the right call.
I had to come back to work to rest up.
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
John Muir
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
John Muir
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TrailPair Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1699 | TRs | Pics
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Welcome Pass and the associated points is one of our favorite hikes! You caught the ridge on a bluebird day. WOW!!!!!!
This thing called work is interfering with my play
This thing called work is interfering with my play
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John Morrow Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 1526 | TRs | Pics Location: Roslyn |
Wow!
Quite the Who's Who of Peakbaggers!!!
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”-Mary Oliver
“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.”
― MLK Jr.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”-Mary Oliver
“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.”
― MLK Jr.
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dicentra Plant Geek
Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 1127 | TRs | Pics Location: Der Town |
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dicentra
Plant Geek
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Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:19 pm
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Wow!!! Nice pics!
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Randy Cube Rat
Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics Location: Near the Siamangs |
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Randy
Cube Rat
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Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:29 pm
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As usual, great TR and pictures Matt. Thanks again for putting together such a fine trip.
It was great to meet some new folks yesterday. Here are a few pictures from the trip to Point 5933' - some really nice winter scenery up there!
Welcome Pass On the Way to 5933 - Don Admires the Views Along the Ridge - Baker Looms Encountering Skiers (Right) Group on the Summit GeoTom Heads for Home American Border Peak (L of C) Ridge Route Over a Hump on the Return Wide Open
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Gabigabs Trail Breaker
Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 841 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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Gabigabs
Trail Breaker
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Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:39 pm
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Gorgeous photos. We're heading up there on Saturday, hoping to get at least a tiny bit of the spectacular views you guys got.
Life is simple... Eat, Sleep, Hike!
Life is simple... Eat, Sleep, Hike!
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bobbi stillaGUAMish
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 8012 | TRs | Pics Location: olympics! |
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bobbi
stillaGUAMish
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Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:23 pm
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bobbi ૐ
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
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wildernessed viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
Quality stuff as usual. You can't beat a wintry ridge and views.
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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Schmidt Alti-Dude 4th class poster
Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 1361 | TRs | Pics Location: Looking for Adventure 201! |
What great weather, looks like fun!
~Jeremy and Tisha
Anything stated by me in no way reflects the attitudes or opinions of my wife
Anything stated by me in no way reflects the attitudes or opinions of my wife
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drewcoll Member
Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 288 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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drewcoll
Member
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Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:39 pm
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Very Nice!
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Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:46 pm
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Gorgeous pictures everyone. Thanks for the post Matt.
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goats gone wild Mr. Goat
Joined: 19 Aug 2007 Posts: 2524 | TRs | Pics Location: Vampireville |
Matt, really enjoyed your description of the different conditions on each of your trips to Welcome. Sounds like third time is indeed a charm.
Looks like a great outing with a lot of nice folks and furry friends.
Gorgeous cup of tea, too.
.....leaving me wanting to return over and over in what ever capacity that may be, even if one day my knees are too old and I can only see the mountains from my porch.
Jason Hummel
.....leaving me wanting to return over and over in what ever capacity that may be, even if one day my knees are too old and I can only see the mountains from my porch.
Jason Hummel
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