Forum Index > Trip Reports > Middle Chiwaukum (Point 7423') - 1/31/09
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Randy
Cube Rat



Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics
Location: Near the Siamangs
Randy
Cube Rat
PostSun Feb 01, 2009 5:32 pm 
With a strong group of 5, we were able to make a winter ascent of what's known as Middle Chiwaukum (Mid C) or Point 7423' on Saturday. We had to park short of the normal road end, but other than that our route was nice and direct.
Mid C
Mid C
Don, Martin, Mike, Jeff, and myself left the car around 0800 and walked 1.75 miles along the road to the Whitepine Creek TH. Here we shot left into the tress and began the long grind upward. The snow was reasonably firm with very little new snow in trees. Around 3600' we got on an obvious NW trending ridge and followed it up to about 5600' where we finally put on snowshoes.
End of the Boot Slog
End of the Boot Slog
We continued SE with the views getting a bit better and the wind a lot stronger.
Working to Point 7132', ~6200'
Working to Point 7132', ~6200'
Mike on the Ridge
Mike on the Ridge
At 6800', we dumped the snowshoes and booted the rest of the way. We ascended to near the top of Point 7132' then down to the saddle NE of Mid C.
Mike Negotiates Rocks at 7000'
Mike Negotiates Rocks at 7000'
Jeff and Don Below Point 7132'
Jeff and Don Below Point 7132'
The winds were fierce (~40mph) with stronger gusts mixed in. More than once we were forced to go to our knees to keep from being blown over. At the final bit of ridge below the summit, we put on crampons to ascend a steepish snow slope.
Taking in the Conditions
Taking in the Conditions
A Stop for Crampons
A Stop for Crampons
The last 200' to the top were done mostly on front points and hands to maintain balance in the wind.
Don Just Below the Summit
Don Just Below the Summit
Mike and Jeff Booting the last Few Feet
Mike and Jeff Booting the last Few Feet
We had a 1-minute break from the wind on top, just enough time to sign the register. Hopefully I spelled everyone's name right.
The Register
The Register
We descended the same route with more wind. I had to ration the amount of pictures as every time it would take 10 minutes for my fingers to warm up again. Doing the math, the wind chill was around -15º F.
Don Fighting the Wind on the Return
Don Fighting the Wind on the Return
Blowing Snow and a Distant Figure Between Mid C and Point 7132'
Blowing Snow and a Distant Figure Between Mid C and Point 7132'
On the way back we essentially went over Point 7132' then desnded back to the snowshoes.
Martin Back at the Snowshoes
Martin Back at the Snowshoes
Martin, Jeff and Point 7132'
Martin, Jeff and Point 7132'
The rest of the route out went fast and the sun even made an appearance or two.
Jeff and Don on the Return
Jeff and Don on the Return
Middle Chiwaukum
Middle Chiwaukum
The Ridge Descent
The Ridge Descent
We reached the road again at 1700 and got back to the car just as it was getting dark. Overall, another fun winter trip into the Backcourt.
Back at the Road
Back at the Road
Numbers: 10 miles, 5500'

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wildernessed
viewbagger



Joined: 31 Oct 2004
Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wenatchee
wildernessed
viewbagger
PostSun Feb 01, 2009 5:41 pm 
up.gif Awesome TR and pics, we had the same high winds, my camera finger ungloved lasted maybe 10 - 15 seconds before I couldn't feel it, or move it to push the shutter button.

Living in the Anthropocene
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MLHSN
What goes here?????



Joined: 09 Sep 2007
Posts: 1067 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wenatchee
MLHSN
What goes here?????
PostSun Feb 01, 2009 6:21 pm 
Strong work guys up.gif The wind was a little chilly for us at 5000'. I can imagine it wasn't much fun above 7000'

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Layback
Cascades Expatriate



Joined: 16 Mar 2007
Posts: 5712 | TRs | Pics
Location: Back East
Layback
Cascades Expatriate
PostSun Feb 01, 2009 6:28 pm 
Right on guys. Looks chilly. up.gif

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Tom_Sjolseth
Born Yesterday



Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 2652 | TRs | Pics
Location: Right here.
Tom_Sjolseth
Born Yesterday
PostSun Feb 01, 2009 6:35 pm 
Nice work. You guys have a lot of energy.

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ragman and rodman
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Joined: 28 Apr 2005
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Location: http://rgervin.com/
ragman and rodman
Member
PostSun Feb 01, 2009 11:07 pm 
That is some serious snotcicles on Don.

"Teanaway 70" Peaks List... a guide to hiking and scrambling in the Teanaway Area. ----------------
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Tazz
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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Tazz
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PostSun Feb 01, 2009 11:13 pm 
whoo hoo!! good stuff there you guys! You mean you didn't wanna hang out in the 10 degree temps and 40mph winds?... wimps! tongue.gif

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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot



Joined: 30 Jan 2007
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Location: Shoreline
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
PostMon Feb 02, 2009 12:13 am 
Great trip, guys. Anyone else want to try it in good weather sometime?

“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome



Joined: 26 Jul 2006
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Location: Inexorable descent
Magellan
Brutally Handsome
PostMon Feb 02, 2009 5:34 am 
Good Lord, that was a hell of an effort! Three groups signed in 2008, and you guys put in a winter ascent. I'm pretty sure I would have cried for my mommy. Really strong work! up.gif up.gif up.gif Looking good Don!

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Mike Collins
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Joined: 18 Dec 2001
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Mike Collins
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PostMon Feb 02, 2009 7:50 am 
I didn't have my thinking cap on straight in preparation for this climb. Often I wear a pair of liner gloves beneath the thick outer pair. They serve to protect the skin from exposure to the cold when taking off the outer pair. The liners would have greatly facilitated us when putting on crampons in the unrelenting wind that shrink-wrapped around us. I will toss them in next time out as the added weight is negligible.

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John Morrow
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Joined: 03 Apr 2007
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Location: Roslyn
John Morrow
Member
PostMon Feb 02, 2009 8:23 am 
Randy wrote:
With a strong group of 5, we were able to make a winter ascent of what's known as Middle Chiwaukum (Mid C) or Point 7423' on Saturday. We had to park short of the normal road end, but other than that our route was nice and direct.
Mid C
Mid C
Numbers: 10 miles, 5500'
Who's up for going back sometime to ski that giant north bowl? So beautiful from Hwy 2 and I didn't know they plowed to the church camp. Great work you all, pretty darn strong! J

“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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Randy
Cube Rat



Joined: 18 Dec 2001
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Location: Near the Siamangs
Randy
Cube Rat
PostMon Feb 02, 2009 8:53 am 
Hey John, count me in for a ski trip. It looked great on Saturday, especially some of the drop-in opportunities from the ridge top.

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wildernessed
viewbagger



Joined: 31 Oct 2004
Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wenatchee
wildernessed
viewbagger
PostMon Feb 02, 2009 9:05 am 
Matt wrote:
Great trip, guys. Anyone else want to try it in good weather sometime?
I'd be interested, but I may have to up the training hike intensity a bit. winksmile.gif

Living in the Anthropocene
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cartman
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Joined: 20 Feb 2007
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Location: Fremont
cartman
Member
PostMon Feb 02, 2009 10:03 am 
Strong work, fellas!
Matt wrote:
Anyone else want to try it in good weather sometime?
dicey and I were almost on this one, but I for one was not crazy about the weather for this thigh-burner. Would definitely like to do this one, though. Curious why this is called "Middle Chiwaukum" since it's the northernmost Chiwaukum peak (at least with prominence) on that ridgeline.

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Gabigabs
Trail Breaker



Joined: 07 Nov 2007
Posts: 841 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle
Gabigabs
Trail Breaker
PostMon Feb 02, 2009 10:08 am 
Great job!

Life is simple... Eat, Sleep, Hike!
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