Forum Index > Trip Reports > South Bessemer, Moolock 1-22-13
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Fletcher
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Posts: 1870 | TRs | Pics
Location: kirkland
Fletcher
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PostSun Jan 27, 2013 4:28 pm 
For the last day of the inversion I joined Bryan and belowfellow to snowshoe up these 2 peaks on the Middle/North Fork Snoqualmie Divide. We got a pretty late start, leaving the car around 9:30 if memory serves. The approach up Bessemer Road is a long one. There were some impressive examples of hoar frost in the valley bottom.
waterfall along the road
waterfall along the road
first view of the Snoqualmie Crest
first view of the Snoqualmie Crest
The road comes to a saddle around 4k just SW of S Bessemer. From there we headed straight up through a mix of trees and open slopes, it was steep.
S Bessemer from the saddle
S Bessemer from the saddle
Hancock Hump or something like that
1 label
Hancock Hump or something like that
more steeps
more steeps
I think we made the summit around noon, the views were nice and it was quite warm although a bit breezy.
Bessemer proper with Glacier Peaking
Bessemer proper with Glacier Peaking
Moolock, our second goal of the day
Moolock, our second goal of the day
how I love the Middle Fork
how I love the Middle Fork
Bears Breast to Chikamin
Bears Breast to Chikamin
Garfield, Hinman, Big Snow, among others
Garfield, Hinman, Big Snow, among others
Adams and Rainier
Adams and Rainier
Seattle skyscrapers escaped the fog, Olympics
Seattle skyscrapers escaped the fog, Olympics
While we were getting ready to drop back down to the saddle Matt yelled "Look, an Eagle!" Just as I looked up the eagle was flying right in front of Mt. Rainer. I was too late with the camera.
The eagle
The eagle
We opted to descend via the road most of the way. It was time for Moolock.
heading for Moolock
heading for Moolock
We made good time back to the saddle then made our way toward the east ridge of Moolock.
Looking back to South Bessemer
Looking back to South Bessemer
trippy sky
trippy sky
came across this poor guy on the ridge
came across this poor guy on the ridge
While traversing the ridge we came to a spot where you could either jump down this 6 foot drop or climb down it. I jumped, then Bryan jumped and yelled out in pain as he hit the ground. He tweaked his ankle pretty bad. We were so close to summit that, although he was in a lot of pain, we decided to go tag it.
dudes on the ridge
dudes on the ridge
summit in sight
summit in sight
Baker, 3 Fingers, Whitehorse
Baker, 3 Fingers, Whitehorse
There were a few steep spots along the ridge, I took my axe out. To gain the summit there was a 50 ft long stretch that I had to kick steps into. We wouldnt have made it up that without our trusty axes.
Matt
Matt
Matt almost to the summit
Matt almost to the summit
The views were pretty sick.
Snoqualmie Crest again
Snoqualmie Crest again
Lakes Moolock, Nadeau, and Hancock
Lakes Moolock, Nadeau, and Hancock
Lakes SMC and Nadeau
Lakes SMC and Nadeau
Rainier again
Rainier again
me and Bryan on Moolock
me and Bryan on Moolock
Bellevue, Seattle, and Olympics
Bellevue, Seattle, and Olympics
playing around with different camera settings
playing around with different camera settings
The descent was long but uneventful.
Matt below Moolock
Matt below Moolock
late afternoon clouds
late afternoon clouds
sunset
sunset
It got dark when we still had about 4 miles back to car. Good day with awesome company. Hoping for a quick recovery on the ankle, Bryan. 15 miles and 5500' of gain or something.

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raising3hikers
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Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 2343 | TRs | Pics
Location: Edmonds, Wa
raising3hikers
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PostSun Jan 27, 2013 5:00 pm 
I went up Moolock last Thursday and was pleasantly surprised to see some tracks in the snow for most of the way (new snow covered the upper ones), must have been from your group. Another good place to visit along the Middle Fork that's not too far from home

Eric Eames
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Bryan K
Shameless Peakbagger



Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Posts: 5129 | TRs | Pics
Location: Alaska
Bryan K
Shameless Peakbagger
PostSun Jan 27, 2013 6:50 pm 
It was a fun day despite a sprained ankle. Might I add that the return trip from the summit of Moolock was long and painful. I'm grateful to have had patient partners with me.
South Bessemer 031
South Bessemer 031
South Bessemer 034
South Bessemer 034
South Bessemer 036
South Bessemer 036
South Bessemer 037
South Bessemer 037
South Bessemer 043
South Bessemer 043
South Bessemer 051
South Bessemer 051
South Bessemer 052
South Bessemer 052
South Bessemer 058
South Bessemer 058
South Bessemer 066
South Bessemer 066
South Bessemer 067
South Bessemer 067
South Bessemer 068
South Bessemer 068

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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks



Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 7216 | TRs | Pics
Location: Stuck in the middle
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
PostSun Jan 27, 2013 7:16 pm 
Good work getting onto Moolock (and Bessemer too). It may not be apparent in the winter with lots of snow, but it's always puzzled me why the summit area is so flat. All the ridges leading up to it are fairly sharp. Anyway, it's one of my favorite peaks, partly because it took me three tries to get up it the first time.

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Fletcher
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Posts: 1870 | TRs | Pics
Location: kirkland
Fletcher
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PostMon Jan 28, 2013 2:44 am 
I would not have thought that the summit area was flat at all from our time up there. Now I'm curious, good summit bivy spot? I have been brainstorming summits to stay on for the 4th of July. Moolock might just be the perfect candidate if we end up having clear weather.

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Redwic
Unlisted Free Agent



Joined: 23 Feb 2009
Posts: 3292 | TRs | Pics
Location: Going to the Prom(inence)
Redwic
Unlisted Free Agent
PostMon Jan 28, 2013 9:17 am 
Thank you for sharing the TR and photos. Heal up soon, Bryan!

60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
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