[Mesahchie Mark]

Mt Stickney, 10/27/07 The Crew: Dicey, JeffR, PaulK, Yours Truly The Route: NW Ridge Start: 8:35 AM Our small caravan didn't get far up Olney Creek Road as large, smelly puddles impeded our progress. Instead, we broke out the mountain bikes and pushed for about 4 miles. Along the way we encountered a group of three climbers trying to turn around a F-150. Seems we would have company today! We reached the fisherman's trail for One Acre Lake around 10:45 AM. The F-150 crew passed us as we locked up the bikes and re-fueled. The "trail" took us by an unusual sight - an abandoned canoe! Paul took it for a spin...

Ditching the Bikes

Paul's New Ride

Snow obscurred the trail, but it was easy enough to stay the course to One Acre Lake. We passed around it's north side and headed up the gully toward Stickney. At a tarn, we headed SW up a small ridge, then switched back to Stickney proper.

Yes, Dicey Can Walk on Water!

One Acre Lake

Snow and Ice

Stickney In Sight

The obvious route was to hit the first notch to the right of the peak. The gully looked steep and icy. Oh goody! Crampons would have been nice, but at least MOST of us brought an ice axe...

Closing In On Stickney

Paul led the short pitch up the steepest, iciest part, and secured a rope to the resident belay station. Soon after, we were all up and scrambling toward the summit. Summit time: 1:45 PM.

Paul With the Sharp End of the Rope

Stuck Knees on Stickney

We soaked in the hazy views for about 30 minutes before deciding it was time to leave. Instead of rappeling back down the ice chute, it was decided to scramble the ridgeline westward to find an easier way down. For the most part, the scrambling was fun, though exposed. I was stymied at one particularly loose section before Paul reminded me that I had the rope, which I then used as a rappel/handline for about 30 feet. All good after that!

Downclimb From Summit

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I Gotta Get to Where?

Near our exit, Paul and Jeff spotted the F-150 group on another sub-peak. Somehow, they got sidetracked and went up the wrong ridge. It took our group two rappels to get off the ridge. Another hour or so took us back to the bikes. Time now was 5:00 PM.

Rapping

Good-bye, Stickney

The ride back down the road went quickly, despite being pretty bumpy in places. We caught up to the F-150 crew along the way, and exchanged stories. They will be back! It only took us 45 minutes to return to the cars. To celebrate, Jeff produced some fine Stone Brewery products for us all to share - thanks, Bud! End: 5:45 PM It was a great, multi-discipline day, with good folks. Couldn't ask for much more - Woo Hoo!

[Mesahchie Mark]

Thanks, PiB! Got some more pics: these are from PaulK:

At the cars in the morning

Wallows_I

Group_atop_BFR

Climbing_the_gully_I

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Group_at_summit

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Forest_canoe_with_flash

Group_at_cars_I

Group_at_cars_II

Also: Stefan's TR from 2004 was a great source of info for the route -Mark

[Yet]

[Justus S.]

Very nice, thanks for the report. I'm thinking of possibly going up there in Dec. Stickney holds a special place in my climbing past. This image shows the steep gully but snow filled.

Mt Stickney

[puzzlr]

Nice work -- I'm envious. Stickney's been on my list so long it should be called Stinkney. It has a high "skyline value" because it's one of the first prominent peaks visible when driving along Highway 2. I've been turned back by snow on the Olney pass road, and white out / avalanche conditions on the trail. Justus -- if you want some company in December PM me. This might be a tough one to solo in winter.

[Dayhike Mike]

[naturealbeing]

Half A Brick Shy Of A Full Load Lake

KOMO Breaking News Exclusive, three missing hikers feared to have vanished while crossing Half A Brick Shy Of A Full Load Lake. Sole survivor Paul K claims the three missing hikers found a canoe and set out across the lake before a storm came in and took them down for good. More at 11.

[Yet]

NB, you're a genius.

[Yana]

[naturealbeing]

[Layback]

Wow - Cars, bikes, a canoe and foot-travel. You could call this one "Planes, Trains and Automobiles". Nice job you guys.

[Randy]

Great looking trip dudes! One of these days I need to get up there!

[naturealbeing]

Canoe Siting

Komo News, claims a viewer just called in and claimed to have seen the missing hikers in a canoe along the recently opened Mountain Loop Hwy. The viewer just happened to have his camera handy and caught this image before they scooted around the bend in the road. More to follow!

[Opus]

[Jeff R]

Mark- thanks for the great idea, and report! I had a blast going out with you all three of you , good times! naturealbeing- Your imaginative flair for making pictures even that more funny makes me smile, thanks! Wish you could have joined us, and I hope you feel better soon.

One acre lake.

On higher ground.

Rare view.

On chavel ridge.

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Monroe.

Dicey on icy abseil.

The reason for bikes...