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Schmidt Altitude Whippet Entourage
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 803 | TRs | Pics Location: The Quah |
The song title and band name seem appropriate for this hike - "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service (play and enjoy as you read )
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 . 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 from all of us to you two!
Next Week: Russian Butte via Pratt River!
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 Alti-Dude climbing up Final push! Golden and silver Doggy welcome committee TNAB on Mailbox The heavens open Darkness and light over McClellan Butte The 'Dude on Mailbox Peak Mailbox, you've been TNABed! God smiles on North Bend Seattle bathed in light We're cold, don't bother us! More of the group arrives 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
"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! |
Here is a few of the way too many panoramics I took on this trip:
View through the trees Up the talus field View from the top of the talus field Look up to the summit
Anything stated by me in no way reflects the attitudes or opinions of my wife
Anything stated by me in no way reflects the attitudes or opinions of my wife
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yukon222 Member
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 1893 | TRs | Pics
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yukon222
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Fri May 09, 2008 8:06 pm
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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.
A few more pics - TNAB has been seeing some interesting sunsets so far this year.
golden rays beaming into North Bend winter is reluctant to leave fire in the sky above Mt Si
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mntsun Wunderer
Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 206 | TRs | Pics Location: Squaresville |
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mntsun
Wunderer
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Fri May 09, 2008 8:48 pm
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Awesome job, great pictures! Ya'll are going to be flying on Pratt River next Thursday 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 Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 1051 | TRs | Pics
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gone
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Fri May 09, 2008 9:28 pm
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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.
Some advice for anyone contemplating this hike for the first time:
1. Heed the sign, she no lie.
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.
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. 2 labels Prehistoric rhizome-based asexual multipliers. Or, just horsetails. Can't miss the trail now. Mid-mountain sunset, not quite the light show seen from the top. 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!
Thanks for getting this together again and having me along! Until next time!
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tigermn Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 9242 | TRs | Pics Location: There... |
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tigermn
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Fri May 09, 2008 9:36 pm
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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 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Fri May 09, 2008 9:55 pm
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huron Member
Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 1037 | TRs | Pics
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huron
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Fri May 09, 2008 10:02 pm
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TNAB 2008 Mailbox Peak Meandmyaussies ready to summit
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Malachai Constant Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 16092 | TRs | Pics Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny |
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.
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
"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 |
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Wes Big Foote
Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 54 | TRs | Pics Location: Maple Valley |
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Wes
Big Foote
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Sat May 10, 2008 12:01 am
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Those pictures of North Bend are awesome, it was quite the sight for sore legs!
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BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
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BarbE
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Sat May 10, 2008 9:57 am
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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 Member
Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 2634 | TRs | Pics Location: Happily Ever After |
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Yet
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Sat May 10, 2008 10:00 am
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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.
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drewcoll Member
Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 288 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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drewcoll
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Sat May 10, 2008 10:18 am
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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 Posts: 1210 | TRs | Pics Location: monkey herder |
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moosefish
I am the fish
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Sat May 10, 2008 10:19 am
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