Forum Index > Trip Reports > Rock Mountain, 11/16/08
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot



Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
PostMon Nov 17, 2008 12:41 am 
Destination: Rock Mtn 6852 (USGS Mt. Howard) Date: 11/16/08 Party: Matt, Dicey, Wamtngal, Just Todd, Suzanne R, Lori J, Richard B We were going to try Mt. Howard, but knee-deep snow above 5000 feet made that unrealistic, so we diverted to Rock Mountain. The group was a hybrid of half nwhikers and half Mountaineers. We started down in the valley fog, then climbed up above it.
Power lines in the fog
Power lines in the fog
Morning light and shadows on the valley fog
Morning light and shadows on the valley fog
The women raced ahead up the trail, leaving us men to catch glimpses of them only on the switchbacks above. So typical, the women charging upward in their summit-driven competitive obsession, while the men enjoy a more relaxed, social pace.
Women on a higher switchback
Women on a higher switchback
The snow got deeper.
On the snow
On the snow
Angling up to the Rock Mountain ridge crest
Angling up to the Rock Mountain ridge crest
The summit was sunny but windy. I had my first summit tea of the winter.
Summit group and photographer’s shadow.
Summit group and photographer’s shadow.
Summit Tea & Mt. Howard.  The wind is actually making waves in my cup.
Summit Tea & Mt. Howard. The wind is actually making waves in my cup.
Double lenticular on Glacier Peak
Double lenticular on Glacier Peak
Rock Lake & valley clouds eastward
Rock Lake & valley clouds eastward
Layered peaks culminating in Daniel & Rainier
Layered peaks culminating in Daniel & Rainier
Round Trip Stats: 10 miles, 4000 gain, 7 hours

“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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seattlehikertoo
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Joined: 26 Jun 2008
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seattlehikertoo
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PostMon Nov 17, 2008 1:03 am 
Another nice one from your crew. This one is a killer. I was actually planning on not working tomorrow due to the weather hockeygrin.gif hockeygrin.gif Rock Mt is on my list as a possibility. Looks like poles, boots, and gaiters will do if I decide to go. Thanks again for another great report.

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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot



Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
PostMon Nov 17, 2008 1:25 am 
We did it in boots, but we were postholing a lot. When we hit the deeper snow about halfway up, progress slowed way down. We actually mostly followed tracks that had been packed down by previous snowshoers. Everyone agreed that snowshoes would have been better.

“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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dicey
custom title



Joined: 11 May 2004
Posts: 2870 | TRs | Pics
Location: giving cornices a wider berth
dicey
custom title
PostMon Nov 17, 2008 1:22 pm 
Matt wrote:
We were going to try Mt. Howard, but knee-deep snow above 5000 feet made that unrealistic, so we diverted to Rock Mountain.
I believe Suzanne was thrilled with our change of destination, as she had only visited the summit of Rock Mtn. about 6 times already! lol.gif To whomever plowed a snowshoe track to the summit of Rock Mtn. on Saturday - Thank You!!! up.gif
morning fog
morning fog
hiker above the fog
hiker above the fog
several small point releases off false summit of rock mtn.
several small point releases off false summit of rock mtn.
snow is getting deeper
snow is getting deeper
Rock lake below, Andrea and Todd
Rock lake below, Andrea and Todd
summit ridge to rock mtn
summit ridge to rock mtn

I'm not always sure I like being older but being less stupid has advantages. http://www.flickr.com/photos/32121172@N00/sets/
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GeoTom
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Joined: 19 May 2005
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GeoTom
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PostMon Nov 17, 2008 1:31 pm 
Rockin' TR hockeygrin.gif

Knows literally nothing
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Mtn Man
Snow addict



Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Posts: 552 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline, WA
Mtn Man
Snow addict
PostMon Nov 17, 2008 1:43 pm 
Wow, a lot more snow than I expected eek.gif Looks like I'll have to dust off the snowshoes and AT gear! I'll have to go on the next excursion.... B)

Mmmmm, backcountry...
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wildernessed
viewbagger



Joined: 31 Oct 2004
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Location: Wenatchee
wildernessed
viewbagger
PostMon Nov 17, 2008 1:49 pm 
Damn Tom, Shorts ?, I wonder with the wet snow conditions, if it would be decent doing Mastiff and Howard from Lost Lake ?, it looked like it from The NW. hockeygrin.gif

Living in the Anthropocene
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Sabahsboy
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Sabahsboy
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PostMon Nov 17, 2008 6:08 pm 
Great TR and photos! "Layered peaks..." shot of Daniel and Rainier is a marvel! Hurrah! Goosebumps all around!

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MLHSN
What goes here?????



Joined: 09 Sep 2007
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Location: Wenatchee
MLHSN
What goes here?????
PostMon Nov 17, 2008 6:09 pm 
I've been considering this one. thanks for the TR. I really liked the photo of Rock Lake with the cloudy valley. up.gif

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Flora
Enjoying the Sun!



Joined: 25 Mar 2007
Posts: 1035 | TRs | Pics
Location: Land of many waters
Flora
Enjoying the Sun!
PostMon Nov 17, 2008 6:14 pm 
Looks like an awesome workout! I've only done the back route. Great views from the top, though!

Flora
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wamtngal
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wamtngal
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PostMon Nov 17, 2008 8:29 pm 
Such a sunny, warm day - it almost felt like spring!
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RockMtnPano.JPG
RockMtnPano.JPG

Opinions expressed here are my own.
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Schmidt Altitude
Whippet Entourage



Joined: 28 Mar 2007
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Location: The Quah
Schmidt Altitude
Whippet Entourage
PostMon Nov 17, 2008 8:40 pm 
Looks like you had a great time despite the change in plans. Did you stand around talking about the change, deliberating the pros and cons for about an hour or so - or did you just go for it? wink.gif clown.gif We're in shock that dicey actually took and posted some pictures. We really liked the perspective of IMG1003, Andrea.

"Forest 101: These big wood stick things are called trees. The big rocks are called mountains, and the little rocks are their babies." Elliott from Open Season
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the Zachster
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the Zachster
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PostMon Nov 17, 2008 8:42 pm 
I LOVE that hike! I think it's best with snow (there's a lovely cornice along that ridge in early spring). I guess snowshoes will be required attire soon. Thanks for a pretty report (the valley fog shot is really cool up.gif )!

"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
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Jennifer S.
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Jennifer S.
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PostMon Nov 17, 2008 10:07 pm 
Wow, how pretty! Looks like a must do.

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Suzanne
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Suzanne
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PostMon Nov 17, 2008 10:36 pm 
Thanks, Matt for organizing such a great trip! Dicey, was that fun OR WHAT doin' a trip together? (To heck with seven times!). Andrea and Todd, great to meet you, enjoyed your mountain company. Lori, it's time for you to register and chime in. Thank you all for a great day!

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