Forum Index > Trip Reports > Baring Mountain 5-30-10
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
Arete
Member
Member


Joined: 29 Oct 2006
Posts: 137 | TRs | Pics
Location: Bothell, WA
Arete
Member
PostMon May 31, 2010 2:29 am 
The somewhat optimistic forecast for Sunday morning of this soggy Memorial Day weekend lured us out onto a spring scramble that we’ve been wanting to do for the past few years –Baring Mountain. We left the Puget Sound lowlands in dense fog. But driving up the Skykomish valley we were soon treated to the classic views of Index, Baring, and the Merchant Peak group under a thin and broken, high cloud cover. It was the first time we have gone up the Barclay Creek Rd with the kids and the brief glimpses of the north wall of Baring in profile brought some audible “oohs” and “aahs”.
Morning light on the north wall of Baring Mountain.
Morning light on the north wall of Baring Mountain.
The Barclay Lake trailhead was nearly deserted and we enjoyed the peaceful hum of the stream nearby as we armored ourselves with full raingear for what we thought would be a wet, brushy climb up to the NW ridge of Baring. Fifteen minutes into our preparation rituals, five cars wheeled into the small parking area and it transformed into a busy hub of seven more hikers booting up, strapping on gaiters and debating about snowshoes. Yes, they were heading to Baring as well. We figured the company would be nice and as they were likely to be faster than us, having some steps kicked would be even nicer! smile.gif We meandered past the trailhead toilets on the old road for a couple of hundred yards before coming to the small stream with the distinct climbers trail heading steeply uphill just to the west of the water course. The path went steeply uphill from there on all of the way to the NW ridge at 4,000 ft – a climb of 1,800 ft in less than a mile. The path was easy to follow in most places, but came complete with steep, slippery mud, vegetable handholds, and a sprinkling of exposure to keep our attention. The rockfall danger was not great and the group of 7, increasingly far ahead of us as we ascended, did a great job of being careful not to shower us with projectiles. The steep grade reminded us of how far we still have to go with our springtime conditioning and with one major rest stop included we arrived at the NW ridge (4,000 ft) in a bit under two hours.
The larger climbing group starting up the climbers path from the old road.
The larger climbing group starting up the climbers path from the old road.
Crawling up through the steep forest
Crawling up through the steep forest
Scrambling steeply up through the forest
Scrambling steeply up through the forest
The duck-under-the-fallen-big-tree landmark (about 3/4 of the way up to the NW ridge)
The duck-under-the-fallen-big-tree landmark (about 3/4 of the way up to the NW ridge)
Scrambling up steep, slippery slopes
Scrambling up steep, slippery slopes
The meander up and down along the “verdant” NW ridge was a true highlight up.gif – weaving up and down mostly on the ridge crest among hemlocks and silver firs, with even some Trillium in bloom in the moist duff. About a half mile along the ridge brought us to a notch with a steep gully on the north side.
On the NW ridge
On the NW ridge
Scrambling along the NW ridge
Scrambling along the NW ridge
On the NW ridge
On the NW ridge
On the NW ridge
On the NW ridge
Peek-a-boo view of the summit of Baring from the NW ridge
Peek-a-boo view of the summit of Baring from the NW ridge
On the NW ridge
On the NW ridge
The path led off around the south side of the ridge, descending and traversing to a broad forested gully. We ascended there for 15 minutes before losing the path in snowfields, but stayed mostly steeply straight up to round the ridge crest at about 4800 ft into the snowy basin below the two summits of Baring. The last 4-500 ft were quite slippery in places and one of us even put on crampons. We were passed shortly before the ridge by three fellows ascending the slope at a rate that made us wonder if we were actually moving upward. Once in the basin, we rested and regrouped before following the now-well-trodden path of steps up the gully to the notch between the two summits. The snow was mostly firm and snowshoes were not necessary (especially if you are the beneficiary of folks ahead of you doing the hard work of step kicking hockeygrin.gif ).
Entering the snow basin. Climbing groups can be seen kicking steps for us ::) up the gully toward the notch.
Entering the snow basin. Climbing groups can be seen kicking steps for us smile.gif up the gully toward the notch.
Aidan starting the climb out of the snow basin.
Aidan starting the climb out of the snow basin.
Climbing the final snow slopes to the notch. The NW ridge and Skykomish valley behind.
Climbing the final snow slopes to the notch. The NW ridge and Skykomish valley behind.
Approaching the notch.
Approaching the notch.
At the notch we finally began to pay attention to the deteriorating weather behind us to the west. paranoid.gif A brief break, and we scrambled up a steep snow pitch (of about 45 degrees for 60 feet) into the trees above. We tried to dodge the showers of snow and ice that cascaded down from the tree branches, but one of them nailed Aidan squarely on the head (no harm done once he brushed it off). It took just 20 minutes from the notch up to the summit thanks once again to the steps already in place. Unfortunately halfway up from the notch we entered the clouds and our view grew soupier the further we went upward.
The steep snow pitch out of the notch.
The steep snow pitch out of the notch.
Looking back down the steep snow pitch to the notch.
Looking back down the steep snow pitch to the notch.
The upper slopes of Baring from just above the steep snow pitch out of the notch.
The upper slopes of Baring from just above the steep snow pitch out of the notch.
The summit view was about 100 feet in most directions and no boot photo over Barclay Lake was to be had today. mad.gif
Our cloudy summit.
Our cloudy summit.
It took us just under 6 hours from the car to the top (the other groups we considerably faster). We descended through soggy snow to the notch and down into the basin via a memorable glissade.
Waiting for climbers from the groups in front of us to climb down the steep slope into the notch.
Waiting for climbers from the groups in front of us to climb down the steep slope into the notch.
Backing down the steep slope into the notch.
Backing down the steep slope into the notch.
Fun glissade down from the notch into the basin!
Fun glissade down from the notch into the basin!
A light, intermittent rain accompanied much of our descent, but we rarely noticed it once we entered the trees. The steep slopes were not much fun to descend and we took it slow and careful, with the boys roped to each of us. We reached the car about 11 hours after our departure, soggy, muddy, and footsore but happy smile.gif (well, most of us anyway rolleyes.gif ). About 4,000 ft of elevation with minor ups and downs. Snowshoes and crampons were no necessary (though one of us found crampons useful in a few places). An ice axe is a must. The larger group placed a handline with a picket on the steep snow pitch above the notch, but the steps were large and firm. Overall the climb is in very good late spring condition.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
peltoms
Member
Member


Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 1760 | TRs | Pics
Location: Worcester MA
peltoms
Member
PostMon May 31, 2010 4:23 am 
Your images capture the overall steepness of the route well. I was amazed at he overall openness of the forest. up.gif

North Cascade Glacier Climate Project: http://www.nichols.edu/departments/glacier/
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Dayhike Mike
Bad MFKer



Joined: 02 Mar 2003
Posts: 10958 | TRs | Pics
Location: Going to Tukwila
Dayhike Mike
Bad MFKer
PostMon May 31, 2010 6:42 am 
Nice! Great to see you getting your kids out at such a young age. Even better to see you doing it responsibly! smile.gif up.gif up.gif

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke "Ignorance is natural. Stupidity takes commitment." -Solomon Short
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
EastKing
Surfing and Hiking



Joined: 28 Mar 2007
Posts: 2082 | TRs | Pics
Location: 77 miles from Seattle!
EastKing
Surfing and Hiking
PostMon May 31, 2010 7:44 am 
Wow, awesome climb for questionable conditions. up.gif Didn't think Mt. Baring would be very good for Sunday. Obviously I was very wrong. I will keep this mountain in my database for future climbs and bailouts.

YouTube | SummitPost Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Layback
Cascades Expatriate



Joined: 16 Mar 2007
Posts: 5712 | TRs | Pics
Location: Back East
Layback
Cascades Expatriate
PostMon May 31, 2010 9:39 am 
Awesome. Way to get the kids out and share your love of climbing. up.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Redwic
Unlisted Free Agent



Joined: 23 Feb 2009
Posts: 3292 | TRs | Pics
Location: Going to the Prom(inence)
Redwic
Unlisted Free Agent
PostMon May 31, 2010 10:39 am 
NICE!!! I had considered this peak for the past few weekends, but did not think the conditions would be favorable yet. I guess I was wrong!!! up.gif up.gif up.gif

60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
filbert
Member
Member


Joined: 31 May 2010
Posts: 99 | TRs | Pics
filbert
Member
PostMon May 31, 2010 8:39 pm 
When my group saw the avalanche in the gully, they nearly stopped. Fortunately there hadn't been recent snow - with no significant rain in over 24 hours. Closer in, it was clear that the avalanche was days-old. Current conditions were nice and stable. Early in the morning, the snow at lower elevations was hard & icy. My group of 7 was amazed and impressed by the great attitudes, skills, and endurance of your kids!

With every passing hour our solar system comes forty-three thousand miles closer to globular cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules, and still there are some misfits who continue to insist that there is no such thing as progress.
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Josh Journey
a.k.a Josh Lewis



Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 4830 | TRs | Pics
Josh Journey
a.k.a Josh Lewis
PostMon May 31, 2010 9:01 pm 
Nice report! I feel like I'm behind with these young folks climbing. up.gif up.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)



Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 1435 | TRs | Pics
Location: Olympia, Wa
HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)
PostMon May 31, 2010 9:24 pm 
Thanks for sharing your awesome family trip.

The Mountains are Calling - I must go and PLAY! If you don't Respect Mother Nature, Mother Nature won't respect you. Wag More and Bark Less smile.gif
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Arete
Member
Member


Joined: 29 Oct 2006
Posts: 137 | TRs | Pics
Location: Bothell, WA
Arete
Member
PostTue Jun 01, 2010 4:33 pm 
Thanks all! It is indeed wonderful to have the boys along for these adventures. Starting them very young was important. They love things that include some scrambling (trails that are too flat usually get a "boring!") and when they're able to "lead" and pick out a route. Thank you again filbert for the steps and company. We too wondered about the old avalanche when we first rounded the corner into the basin. Flow - from what I read in your reports - you're "behind" nobody in some great adventures! up.gif The forest was truly one of the highlights of this route for me. Both on the initial slope and on the ridge, the forest there is beautiful - but it was only going down that I paid enough attention to really enjoy it!

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Yet
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Apr 2005
Posts: 2634 | TRs | Pics
Location: Happily Ever After
Yet
Member
PostTue Jun 01, 2010 4:45 pm 
Arete, it's such a treat reading your TRs. Can you please adopt me? wink.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Arete
Member
Member


Joined: 29 Oct 2006
Posts: 137 | TRs | Pics
Location: Bothell, WA
Arete
Member
PostWed Jun 02, 2010 12:56 am 
Hey Yet - you betcha! agree.gif You just have to agree to share half of your chocolate easter eggs and sign onto the "Sure-I'll-carry-your-pack-when-I-grow-up" plan. hmmm.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
raising3hikers
Member
Member


Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 2343 | TRs | Pics
Location: Edmonds, Wa
raising3hikers
Member
PostWed Jun 02, 2010 9:04 am 
up.gif Great job taking the kids up there. I'm going to have to keep Baring in mind for a future trip

Eric Eames
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
silence
Member
Member


Joined: 25 Apr 2005
Posts: 4420 | TRs | Pics
silence
Member
PostFri Jun 04, 2010 11:35 am 
nice work .. great to see the whole family out ... and climbing you guys look familiar .. did we see you last yr at glacier basin and climbing the inner glacier?

PHOTOS FILMS Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
summithound
Climbing Connoisseur



Joined: 26 Jul 2004
Posts: 1766 | TRs | Pics
Location: Everett, WA
summithound
Climbing Connoisseur
PostFri Jun 04, 2010 7:24 pm 
Is this a scramble that is commonly done solo? The weather is looking fair tomorrow and I'd like to scratch it off my list.

Pain is just weakness leaving the body.
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Trip Reports > Baring Mountain 5-30-10
  Happy Birthday speyguy, Bandanabraids!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum