Forum Index > Trip Reports > TNAB's special delivery: Mailbox Peak 05/08/08
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Schmidt Altitude
Whippet Entourage



Joined: 28 Mar 2007
Posts: 803 | TRs | Pics
Location: The Quah
Schmidt Altitude
Whippet Entourage
PostFri May 09, 2008 7:24 pm 
The song title and band name seem appropriate for this hike - "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service (play and enjoy as you read smile.gif )
Another great turnout for this weeks TNAB. The gang included international traveler Joe, the "real" international traveler Ryan (newbie), moosefish (with his dogfish, Tokul), another newbie Jeremy, Jim S., onetwolaugh, Omega Chris, Malachai Constant, Schmidt Alti-Babe (and Kiefer), Schmidt Alti-Dude (and Rowena), yukon222, Mesahchie Mark, drewcoll, twodogdad (plus Boone and Dox), runningbird (and Cubbie), Magnum, Wes, and meandmyaussies (sans aussies) with ewb and Larry (plus Digger) already on the trail. The start of the trail off the logging road is now clearly marked with a sign that warns of a steep and unmaintained trail eek.gif . Curiously enough, the trail had been maintained quite recently. The "veterans" remarked that the new trail was less straight up with more switchbacks. The plus side was that there was not a single downed log to contend with the whole way up. Whomever rebuilt the trail also spray-painted orange dots on the trees beside the trail at various intervals. This was very reassuring because the group became very spread out as the miles passed. The snow started just before the trail breaks out of the thicker forest into the smaller trees. Traction devices such as yaktrax would still be advisable. There were plenty of established kicksteps in the snow to use to the summit. The lead pack reached the 4841' peak in 1 hour 42 minutes. The mailbox was still buried under a blanket of snow but the views were spectacular. The sun was streaming through the clouds above North Bend giving it a "heavenly" glow. Unfortunately, the wind and clouds made this the coldest TNAB summit so far this year. Because of this, people started heading back down before all of us arrived at the top. Many took advantage of butt-glissades where we could. It was particularly fun sliding down the path through the little trees before the forest. The snow was just icy enough to be slick but it wasn't steep enough that you picked up too much speed and lost your ability to steer. We turned on our headlamps about half way down and arrived back at the cars around 10:00. Even though there was talk of more TNABers attending only the Schmidts and yukon made it to the after party at The Pour House Bar & Grill. We arrived just in time to see endless replays of Big Sexy's pathetic hissy fit during the M's game. The food and atmosphere was good enough to recommend it for an after TNAB destination, especially since the NBB&G stops food service at 10:00. While we were eating we learned that it was yukon and dicey who collaborated on replacing the mailbox which had been stolen from the peak last year. A big thank you and up.gif from all of us to you two! Next Week: Russian Butte via Pratt River!clown.gif shakehead.gif Trail Stats: Miles: 3.75 from car to summit (one way) Elevations Gain: 4152 feet Time ascending: 1 hour 42 minutes (lead group) Time decending: 1 hour 20 minutes
Up the talus field
Up the talus field
Alti-Dude climbing up
Alti-Dude climbing up
Final push!
Final push!
Golden and silver
Golden and silver
Doggy welcome committee
Doggy welcome committee
TNAB on Mailbox
TNAB on Mailbox
The heavens open
The heavens open
Darkness and light over McClellan Butte
Darkness and light over McClellan Butte
The 'Dude on Mailbox Peak
The 'Dude on Mailbox Peak
Mailbox, you've been TNABed!
Mailbox, you've been TNABed!
God smiles on North Bend
God smiles on North Bend
Seattle bathed in light
Seattle bathed in light
We're cold, don't bother us!
We're cold, don't bother us!
More of the group arrives
More of the group arrives
The "as much of the group as we could get before we bailed" shot
The "as much of the group as we could get before we bailed" shot
The whole flickr set.

"Forest 101: These big wood stick things are called trees. The big rocks are called mountains, and the little rocks are their babies." Elliott from Open Season
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Schmidt Alti-Dude
4th class poster



Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Posts: 1361 | TRs | Pics
Location: Looking for Adventure 201!
Schmidt Alti-Dude
4th class poster
PostFri May 09, 2008 7:26 pm 
Here is a few of the way too many panoramics I took on this trip:
View through the trees
View through the trees
Up the talus field
Up the talus field
View from the top of the talus field
View from the top of the talus field
Look up to the summit
Look up to the summit

Anything stated by me in no way reflects the attitudes or opinions of my wife
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yukon222
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yukon222
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PostFri May 09, 2008 8:06 pm 
Upper part of the trail on the packed snow/quasi ice isn't bad at all. Enough firm boot prints imbedded in the snow that it is doable without any traction aids. Trek poles are handy though. agree.gif A few more pics - TNAB has been seeing some interesting sunsets so far this year.
golden rays beaming into North Bend
golden rays beaming into North Bend
winter is reluctant to leave
winter is reluctant to leave
fire in the sky above Mt Si
fire in the sky above Mt Si

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mntsun
Wunderer



Joined: 08 Jul 2007
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Location: Squaresville
mntsun
Wunderer
PostFri May 09, 2008 8:48 pm 
Awesome job, great pictures! Ya'll are going to be flying on Pratt River next Thursday lol.gif It was hard to be off the bus this week, but it was (bitter) sweet watching Big Sexy's hissy fit live.

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gone
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gone
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PostFri May 09, 2008 9:28 pm 
Ouch, ouch, ouch. And I turned around at 3,500'. After being caught with a 40 minute head start. Dang. You guys book. I did get a heck of a workout, though, and some play time with Peggy's dog at my turn around spot. wink.gif Some advice for anyone contemplating this hike for the first time: 1. Heed the sign, she no lie.
Respect your own ability, or else!
6 labels
Respect your own ability, or else!
B. When at the fork at 2,400', go left, it's a trail. The right, not so much.
Go left Luke, save your trail-finding force for the dark descent.
2 labels
Go left Luke, save your trail-finding force for the dark descent.
I can imagine coming back and making it to the top of this thing someday, but I can't imagine making it a priority. I think for now I'll just concentrate on making West Tiger #3 via the Cable Trail without a dozen breath-catcher breaks. I think Mailbox leaves little Cable Trails in its toilet every morning. Anyhow, here are some pics.
You've got mail.
You've got mail.
Prehistoric rhizome-based asexual multipliers.  Or, just horsetails.
2 labels
Prehistoric rhizome-based asexual multipliers. Or, just horsetails.
Can't miss the trail now.
Can't miss the trail now.
Mid-mountain sunset, not quite the light show seen from the top.
Mid-mountain sunset, not quite the light show seen from the top.
Low look at Rattlesnake to Mt. Si, with Grouse Ridge in between.
Low look at Rattlesnake to Mt. Si, with Grouse Ridge in between.
Those pictures above of the light streaming down on North Bend are just fantastic! up.gif Thanks for getting this together again and having me along! Until next time!

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tigermn
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tigermn
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PostFri May 09, 2008 9:36 pm 
I gather it's packed down enough that snowshoes aren't needed or probably even desired?

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Magellan
Brutally Handsome



Joined: 26 Jul 2006
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
PostFri May 09, 2008 9:55 pm 
I was looking towards Mailbox from the Cableline on Tiger and I said a prayer for you guys. I'm looking foward to joining the big boys. Nice to hear about everyone making it down to the correct trailhead. clown.gif
ewb wrote:
I think Mailbox leaves little Cable Trails in its toilet every morning.
That is funny, weird, and vaguely disturbing. paranoid.gif But true! lol.gif

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huron
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Joined: 13 Sep 2004
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huron
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PostFri May 09, 2008 10:02 pm 
TNAB 2008 Mailbox Peak
TNAB 2008 Mailbox Peak
Meandmyaussies ready to summit
Meandmyaussies ready to summit

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Malachai Constant
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Malachai Constant
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PostFri May 09, 2008 10:08 pm 
Several of us took the left fork as it was the best route last year but turned into posthole hell this year and still made it up. tongue.gif

"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
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Schmidt Alti-Babe
The Ice Queen



Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Posts: 606 | TRs | Pics
Location: Buried by backlogged pictures
Schmidt Alti-Babe
The Ice Queen
PostFri May 09, 2008 10:20 pm 
Magnum wrote:
buk, buk, buk, buk, bwaaaaaak! chickenleg.gif C'mon, you can do it! If you can do the but luge, you can do anything.
Just remember who bruised their bum setting the track for you guys. wink.gif embarassedlaugh.gif

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Wes
Big Foote



Joined: 27 Jun 2005
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Location: Maple Valley
Wes
Big Foote
PostSat May 10, 2008 12:01 am 
Those pictures of North Bend are awesome, it was quite the sight for sore legs!

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BarbE
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BarbE
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PostSat May 10, 2008 9:57 am 
Wow-incredible-golden rays beaming on North Bend. I so wanted to go, but didn't think I could keep up or survive the downhill. 3 hours round trip - Very impressive! Hope to join you again after Russian Butte.

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Yet
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PostSat May 10, 2008 10:00 am 
But did anybody forget that this was yukon's TNAB birthday? It was this exact hike last year that he first got a taste and he hasn't looked back. balloons.gif

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drewcoll
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drewcoll
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PostSat May 10, 2008 10:18 am 
Well, here are my pictures. That was an interesting trail, but definitely worth it! Thanks for a great trip everyone!

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moosefish
I am the fish



Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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Location: monkey herder
moosefish
I am the fish
PostSat May 10, 2008 10:19 am 
Schmidt Altitude wrote:
The song title and band name seem appropriate for this hike - "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service (play and enjoy as you read smile.gif )
Hey! They ripped off an Apple ad! doh.gif clown.gif

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Forum Index > Trip Reports > TNAB's special delivery: Mailbox Peak 05/08/08
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