Forum Index > Trip Reports > Corteo Peak (8,100') - SW Ridge (June 27, 2009)
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Tom_Sjolseth
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Tom_Sjolseth
Born Yesterday
PostSun Jun 28, 2009 8:43 pm 
After not having been on a trip with Sergio for the past 2 years, we finally linked up again for a great weekend of alpine scambling. We left Seattle Friday afternoon and headed up HWY 20 to Rainy Pass TH with plans to climb Corteo Peak on Saturday. We arrived at the TH at around 10PM, and shared a few beers before retiring for the night. We awoke at 6AM and began our trudge up to Heather Pass. The trail has intermittent patches of snow, but it will be entirely melted out within 2 weeks. From Heather Pass, we dropped down 600' to the NW, passing Lewis Lake, before heading up the Lewis "Glacier". We had no trouble finding the obvious 7500' notch that we would use to cross over to the Woody Creek drainage. From the notch, we lost ~400' before crossing the basin and contouring up towards the SW Ridge of Corteo. We heard reports of exposed class 3-4 on the SW Ridge, but instead we found it to be not very exposed class 2-3. We were glad we didn't lug a rope with us. The ridge scramble was quite enjoyable, with great views to Goode, McGregor, and beyond. Before we knew it we were on the summit basking in the Summer sun. After spending about an hour on the summit lounging around, we decided to try the E Face descent, which is more direct and could save us a lot of time. The upper portion of the E Face is class 3-4, but it is short lived. After about 200' of elevation loss, the face becomes class 3. At this point, we did a descending traverse to the South connecting a series of ledges and ramps. We tried to get onto the glacier two or three times before finally finding a nice ramp on the extreme skier's right at the bottom of the E Face. From here, we glissaded down into the basin at the head of Maple Creek. We then contoured up via Horsefly Pass and gained Pt 6870 before dropping back to Heather Pass to find the trail again. What a great day in the mountains!
Sergio heading up to Heather Pass.
Sergio heading up to Heather Pass.
Looking down from the 7500' notch and Lewis Lake.
Looking down from the 7500' notch and Lewis Lake.
Mt. Goode.
Mt. Goode.
The SW Ridge of Corteo on the right skyline.
The SW Ridge of Corteo on the right skyline.
Sergio on the SW Ridge.
Sergio on the SW Ridge.
Mt. Logan to Black Peak.
Mt. Logan to Black Peak.
Looking back towards the 7500' notch.
Looking back towards the 7500' notch.
Maple Creek Valley and Frisco Mountain.
Maple Creek Valley and Frisco Mountain.
McGregor and beyond.
McGregor and beyond.
Black Peak.
Black Peak.
The E Face of Corteo Peak (our descent route).
The E Face of Corteo Peak (our descent route).
Sergio's Photos:
Me heading up to the 7500' notch.
Me heading up to the 7500' notch.
Me heading accross the basin to the SW Ridge.
Me heading accross the basin to the SW Ridge.
Scrambling along the SW Ridge.
Scrambling along the SW Ridge.
Extreme technical trekking on the SW Ridge.
Extreme technical trekking on the SW Ridge.
Sergio and I on the summit of Corteo.
Sergio and I on the summit of Corteo.
Ballard to The Needles and HWY 20.
7 labels
Ballard to The Needles and HWY 20.
Me on the descent of the E Face of Corteo.
Me on the descent of the E Face of Corteo.

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seattlehikertoo
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seattlehikertoo
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PostSun Jun 28, 2009 10:08 pm 
Checking the reports and I see you've been busy. Photos are top notch, and the one of McGregor tells me it's all snow from Heaton Camp up.

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Spotly
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Spotly
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PostMon Jun 29, 2009 6:50 am 
Very nice. Thanks for posting this one.

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wildernessed
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wildernessed
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PostMon Jun 29, 2009 7:00 am 
up.gif Awesome Tom, as usual.

Living in the Anthropocene
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Tazz
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Tazz
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PostMon Jun 29, 2009 7:19 am 
good report. that SW ridge looks fun!!

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Stefan
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Stefan
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PostTue Jun 30, 2009 9:21 am 
Good stuff Tom. I am happy for you to get out with Sergio again!

Art is an adventure.
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