Forum Index > Trip Reports > Graybeard Peak (7,965') - W Ridge (June 28, 2009)
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Tom_Sjolseth
Born Yesterday



Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 2652 | TRs | Pics
Location: Right here.
Tom_Sjolseth
Born Yesterday
PostSun Jun 28, 2009 9:28 pm 
On Sunday, Sergio and I found ourselves looking for an objective for the day. Graybeard Peak came to mind and, seeing as how neither of us had climbed it, we decided to give it a go. We set off from the Easy Pass TH at 8:15AM, trudging up a trail I had traveled 5 times prior (Sergio 3 times). There is some avalanche debris covering the trail at about mile 2-2.5, but nothing major. Snow begins at about 5000' and is fairly solid all the way to Easy Pass. We arrived at Easy Pass at 10:15, and began traversing the ridge to the SE, towards the prominent basin W of Graybeard. The traverse is mainly on heather, but there is some annoying scree as you descend into the basin. We traversed the basin and gained the W Ridge via a class 3 ramp. The W Ridge is class 2-3 and is loose in places. There is one class 4-5 move near the summit, but it is quick and easy. We topped out at 12:10, just under 4 hours from the TH. The views from the summit are excellent. There have been only 3 parties who have signed in since Fay Pullen placed the register in 2006 (there have been ascents of the N Face when the register would have been buried). This thing doesn't get climbed much despite its close proximity to HWY 20. We spent about an hour lounging on the summit, soaking up the sunshine and admiring the views. At 1:15, we headed back down, this time taking a gulley on the W Face instead of the ridge. This saved us some time. The remainder of the trip out was uneventful, and we got back to the TH at 3:10, less than 7 hours after we started. What a great weekend to be out in the North Cascades. It was good to get out with Sergio again.
Sergio heading up the basin (our descent gully in background).
Sergio heading up the basin (our descent gully in background).
Little Johannesberg and Fisher Creek Valley.
Little Johannesberg and Fisher Creek Valley.
The Tack.
The Tack.
The Mt. Arriva Massif.
The Mt. Arriva Massif.
The W Ridge.
The W Ridge.
Sergio scrambling on the W Ridge.
Sergio scrambling on the W Ridge.
Sergio approaching the summit.
Sergio approaching the summit.
Sergio's Photos:
Me heading up to Easy Pass.
Me heading up to Easy Pass.
Traversing to the W Ridge.
Traversing to the W Ridge.
The Fisher Creek Valley.
The Fisher Creek Valley.
Scrambling on the upper ridge.
Scrambling on the upper ridge.
The "5th class" move near the summit.
The "5th class" move near the summit.
At the bottom of our descent gully.
At the bottom of our descent gully.
Ragged Ridge.
Ragged Ridge.

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Magellan
Brutally Handsome



Joined: 26 Jul 2006
Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics
Location: Inexorable descent
Magellan
Brutally Handsome
PostSun Jun 28, 2009 10:26 pm 
Gorgeous! Thanks for posting this. I think you are right in that people ski it in winter. Anyway to avoid that 'easy' 5th class move?

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Tom_Sjolseth
Born Yesterday



Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 2652 | TRs | Pics
Location: Right here.
Tom_Sjolseth
Born Yesterday
PostSun Jun 28, 2009 11:03 pm 
There might be a way to skirt around another way, but we didn't see an obvious bypass.

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iron
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Joined: 10 Aug 2008
Posts: 6389 | TRs | Pics
Location: southeast kootenays
iron
Member
PostMon Jun 29, 2009 1:54 am 
looks like some nice rock up there. good views of course. man, i miss those bluebird skies already... frown.gif

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B-Dog
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Joined: 22 Jul 2008
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B-Dog
Member
PostMon Jun 29, 2009 8:57 am 
Thanks for this report... I have only seen ones detailing the N. Face.

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DIYSteve
seeking hygge



Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 12655 | TRs | Pics
Location: here now
DIYSteve
seeking hygge
PostMon Jun 29, 2009 9:00 am 
Cool. up.gif 7 hours r.t.? That's fast.

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Forum Index > Trip Reports > Graybeard Peak (7,965') - W Ridge (June 28, 2009)
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