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Fletcher Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 1870 | TRs | Pics Location: kirkland |
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Fletcher
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Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:52 am
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Dane, Derek, and I all wanted to get a climb in on the 4th of July holiday. Dane suggested Stuart, I had been wanting to climb it for some time so I was in. Derek, although already having climbed the peak more than once, was in as well.
Dane arrived at my place shortly before 7 Tuesday evening and we were off shortly there after. We stopped in Cle Elum for a beer and a burger and headed out to the Esmerelda TH where Derek was waiting for us. We hung out for too long and I hit the hay around midnight. Up at 3:30 and on the trail by 4:15.
We made the trail junction for Longs Pass in short order but the large avalanche gully was still filled with deep snow, obscuring the trail. Rather than aimlessly searching for it, we headed straight uphill toward the pass. The sunrise was awesome.
After seeing the alpenglow on Rainier, I thought I could make Longs Pass to get some shots of glow on Stu. I booked it up but no glow, I think I missed it only by a minute or two. I was, however, greeted at the pass by two kid goats.
Longs Pass welcome committee
Although I missed the alpenglow, sunrise was still awesome.
The three of us regrouped at the pass, and headed down towards Ingalls Creek.
heading down
We made good time down to the creek and it was time for the log crossing. The log has broken sometime since last summer but is still easy to cross.
A short distance after we crossed Ingalls Creek and we were at the base of the Cascadian Couloir. The first bit of the ascent is on a nice, easy-to-follow boot path. It is impossible to miss from the Ingalls Crk trail.
starting out CC in center getting higher
The first third of our ascent was simple and uneventful, although pretty steep. We were all feeling great and spirits were high.
views opening up
Eventually the Cascadian opens up, we found ourselves in a broad, open slope below Mt. Stuart's false summit.
Bills Peak
Sherpa and the Enchantments also come into view from here.
We kept ascending until we found ourselves at the base of the huge snowfield that takes you up to the false summit. Here we put on crampons and took out our axes.
I quickly found that I was less than comfortable with the steep, firm snow so I traversed over onto the nearby rocks. Derek came along with me, the scrambling was exposed and tough. We lost a lot of time in this section.
goat
After realizing that the decision to scramble was a mistake, we traversed across the upper end of the snowfield so that we could wrap below the south side of the false summit.
we were scrambling the rock in the background first look at the summit
After this, it was just a simple scrambily traverse with minor route finding challenges over to the summit of Stu.
tight squeeze looking back getting close north to Cashmere, last week's peak lots of this
There was one last bit of snow that we had to cross below the summit. It looked like it could be imposing from below but once up top it was nothing.
summit easy snow crossing
We made the summit at 12:25, 8 hours and 10 minutes after leaving the car. There were a few clouds that had drifted in but the views were still decent. All of the contents of the summit register were completely soaked and soggy. We could not find any dry paper to sign, anybody heading up there in the near future might want to bring some dry paper.
Cashmere, Eightmile the view west, Mt Daniel Dane chilling at the summit Longs Pass from summit Lake Ingalls Big Jim, Lou Icicle Ridge Me hanging on the summit Captain America on Independence Day exposed
After about 45 minutes on the summit it was time for the long slog back to the car.
Dane heading down back at the slot ready to descend the snow Derek downclimbing dudes heading down
The plunge stepping down the snowfield was pretty good although still a little bit crunchy. It got better toward the bottom where Dane got in a nice glissade and I got in one of the longest boot glissades I have ever done.
looking back
We had been playing around with the idea of going and checking out Sherpa but after checking the watch we decided to pass.
Sherpa the balanced rock is crazy!
We met a couple here that we had talked to at the TH the night before. They had lost the trail back at the junction just like we had, but wasted a bunch of time trying to find it, they timed out at the bottom of the snowfield. They were the only people we saw on the mountain all day.
The descent back down the Cascadian was long and tiresome.
getting closer to the bottom lush paintbrush looking back relieved to be down pooped whoa dude
After a quick break at the base of the Cascadian it was time for the last bit of elevation gain back up to Longs Pass.
back at the log we climbed that?! Dane leading the way almost there Derek finishing up the elevation gain
I had a beer stashed in the snow at the pass. It tasted really good.
nobody stole it! Victory!! Dane resting at the pass last look at Stu
The hike back down to the car was slow going with one last goat encounter.
snow that hides the trail
Back at the car at 7:45, we heading into Cle Elum for beers and burgers. After that, Dane and I heading west for Seattle and Derek headed back to Wenatchee. All in all, a totally awesome way to spend the 4th! Great climb with awesome company. I hope to get out again with you guys in the future!!
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almosthere Member
Joined: 06 Nov 2011 Posts: 54 | TRs | Pics Location: the land of many uses |
Atta boy!
nice pics bro, sounds like you earned 'em
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mtn.climber Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 1203 | TRs | Pics Location: The Lost Horizon |
Having done that climb in a day, I know how tough it is. Great job reaching the summit. Glad you got the views.
Reach for the sky, cuz tomorrow may never come.
Live the life of love. Love the life you live.
Reach for the sky, cuz tomorrow may never come.
Live the life of love. Love the life you live.
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fourteen410 Member
Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 2628 | TRs | Pics
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nice work!
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Spartan Member
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 45 | TRs | Pics
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Spartan
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Thu Jul 05, 2012 2:00 pm
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awesome trip
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Gabigabs Trail Breaker
Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 841 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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Gabigabs
Trail Breaker
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Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:05 pm
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Congrats!
Life is simple... Eat, Sleep, Hike!
Life is simple... Eat, Sleep, Hike!
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Dane Other
Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 2466 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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Dane
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Thu Jul 05, 2012 8:09 pm
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Dude great pictures! It was a long, tough day, but it never felt like a slog thanks to good company and nice views
Without judgement what would we do? We would be forced to look at ourselves...
-Death
Without judgement what would we do? We would be forced to look at ourselves...
-Death
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rocknclimb Member
Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 474 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee Valley |
Great pics Fletcher!!!
It was a pleasure being able to summit Stuart with good company and nearly perfect weather. One of the toughest day climbs I can remember doing! Definetely have to meet up and conquer a few more summits this Summer.
Happy 4th!!! some avalanche debris at the junction Esmeralda w/ the moon Mt. Rainier spectacular sunrise Ingalls creek drainage Stuart Goats everywhere down Longs pass Crossing the creek Glacier Lilly Ingalls creek trail Paintbrush Ingalls Pk. Ingalls pk Longs pass in the distance Cascadian View toward Rainier balancing rock Fletcher and Sherpa Fletcher nearing the top Dane reaches the summit Mt. Cashmere summit register Enchantments Stuart Lk. Fletcher heading down Snow ramp leading to false summit. Dane, Fletcher, and Sherpa
When asked "Why do you climb"? Simply respond "Why don't you"?
When asked "Why do you climb"? Simply respond "Why don't you"?
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Fletcher Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 1870 | TRs | Pics Location: kirkland |
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Fletcher
Member
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Thu Jul 05, 2012 11:18 pm
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Derek: awesome pics man! Thanks for posting them, I always really enjoy seeing the day from my partner's perspective. Hit me up when your back work in Cle Elum.
Dane: good to meet you man! Really enjoyed your epic stories of the Olympics. I'm going to check out that Royal Basin trip you recommended.
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dacker little black dots
Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 738 | TRs | Pics Location: the end of my rope |
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dacker
little black dots
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Fri Jul 06, 2012 12:19 am
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Doing that car to car in a day--especially with some snow to slow you down--is for animals. I'm certainly glad I wasn't there embarrassing myself by trying to keep up with you!!
We don't stop hiking because we grow old; we grow old because we stop hiking. --Finis Mitchell
We don't stop hiking because we grow old; we grow old because we stop hiking. --Finis Mitchell
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mtn.climber Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 1203 | TRs | Pics Location: The Lost Horizon |
FWIW: I went back and checked my stats when I did the same route in a day. 13 miles and 8800' total elevation gain. Hell of a day, gentlemen.
Reach for the sky, cuz tomorrow may never come.
Live the life of love. Love the life you live.
Reach for the sky, cuz tomorrow may never come.
Live the life of love. Love the life you live.
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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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Fri Jul 06, 2012 6:57 am
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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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markymark07 Member
Joined: 26 Aug 2011 Posts: 4 | TRs | Pics Location: Airway Heights |
Nice Derek! Pics are awesome!
Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books. -John Lubbock
Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books. -John Lubbock
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ajax stronger than dirt
Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 275 | TRs | Pics
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ajax
stronger than dirt
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Sat Jul 07, 2012 11:22 pm
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Just did this on the 1st (up variation 1, according to Beckey's). It was partly cloudy, but it cleared up more on our descent. I enjoyed seeing your pictures and seeing what we missed!
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ONELUV1 Member
Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 292 | TRs | Pics Location: On the HILL |
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ONELUV1
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Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:53 pm
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Looks sik doods! nice pics fletch.
Maybe we can get together for the west ridge sometime.
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