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Rainie Too! Member
Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 377 | TRs | Pics
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Summithound and boarder Ben, allowed me to join them for a trip up Red Mountain.
I never thought it would be so hard!
We were at the trailhead at 7AM and started hiking up the new PCT. Summithound wanted more of a workout than offered by going up the Commonwealth Basin directly. He wasn't disappointed.
1 mile up the trail and all signs of snowshoe traffic disappeared. The snowshoes came off our backs and the postholing began. I was pretty tired by the time we reached the saddle.
Ben hoofing it up to Red ( in the background right) Summithound
After looking at the mountain we decided to head up the ridge to avoid any avalanche danger. There appeared to be a thick crusty layer that kept sloughing down.
That decision lead us straight up the steep and the deep stuff.
Snowshoes were not working so Ben opted to try kick stepping in just his boots. It was not any worse, at least. It made him feel safer since he did not have an ice ax. First it was deep snow, then icey rock, then hip drops into tree wells.
It took almost 2 hours to go up the last 800 ft, but we made it!
Ben de-skinning his new split board Snoqualmie ski area far below Summit shot Does anyone know that black peak?
There was only one other summiter this day, a guy who skinned his way up passing us along the way. His partners were behind me, and it was questionable as to whether they would make the summit. They had removed their skis and joined us postholers.
We spent no time on top because the wind was trying to blow the mountain down into our faces!
This shot tells it all. Wind blowen snow on the summit but does Ben care?
Ben wasted no time removing his skins from his new split board, leaving me to figure out how to best transport myself back down the mountain...
Too deep for plunge stepping...too deep for glissading. I finally settled on a unique body surfing, laying on my side ( so my pack wouldn't slow me down ) and bicycling my legs so I would traverse on the descent.
NOT a pretty site, but very effective under the conditions!
There was Ben, waiting for me! Sure hope he did not see that descent!
On the way back, our newly made trail had become a freeway! How did that happen? :confused:Where were the people? Not on the summit.
We took the Commonwealth Basin direct route back to the trailhead.
Wet lense effect Commonwealth Basin
A workout I never expected.
A nice trench to the saddle now.
Good luck the rest of the way to the top, until the snow consolidates.
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Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Sat Dec 04, 2010 10:53 pm
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for the effort!
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veronika Member
Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 3015 | TRs | Pics Location: On the road |
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veronika
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Sat Dec 04, 2010 11:13 pm
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Take risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping
I may not have anyone rocking my world right now but, I don't have anyone messing it up either.
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fatoldman Member
Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Posts: 19 | TRs | Pics
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Pretty sure that black peak is Thompson. My only ascent of Red way back in 1979 was in similar conditions. Nothing like thigh-deep powder on a 40 deg ridge. It took forever, but what a great view.
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Dayhike Mike Bad MFKer
Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Posts: 10958 | TRs | Pics Location: Going to Tukwila |
Rainie Too! wrote: | Does anyone know that black peak? |
Thompson. I have a blurry cellphone pic from Red near the bottom of this trip report.
Looking back at Thompson from Uncle Red's house. Time to call it a day and head for home.
FWIW -- Thompson (Thomson on the map) is a fun scramble. Two thumbs up.
"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
"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
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Rainie Too! Member
Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 377 | TRs | Pics
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Thanks everyone. Guess Thompson gets added to my list.
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