Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 2834 | TRs | Pics Location: Near the Siamangs
Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:32 pm
Middle Chiwaukum (Point 7423') - 1/31/09
With a strong group of 5, we were able to make a winter ascent of what's known as MiddleChiwaukum (Mid C) or Point 7423' on Saturday. We had to park short of the normal road end, but other than that our route was nice and direct.
Don, Martin, Mike, Jeff, and myself left the car around 0800 and walked 1.75 miles along the road to the Whitepine Creek TH. Here we shot left into the tress and began the long grind upward. The snow was reasonably firm with very little new snow in trees. Around 3600' we got on an obvious NW trending ridge and followed it up to about 5600' where we finally put on snowshoes.
We continued SE with the views getting a bit better and the wind a lot stronger.
At 6800', we dumped the snowshoes and booted the rest of the way. We ascended to near the top of Point 7132' then down to the saddle NE of Mid C.
The winds were fierce (~40mph) with stronger gusts mixed in. More than once we were forced to go to our knees to keep from being blown over. At the final bit of ridge below the summit, we put on crampons to ascend a steepish snow slope.
The last 200' to the top were done mostly on front points and hands to maintain balance in the wind.
We had a 1-minute break from the wind on top, just enough time to sign the register. Hopefully I spelled everyone's name right.
We descended the same route with more wind. I had to ration the amount of pictures as every time it would take 10 minutes for my fingers to warm up again. Doing the math, the wind chill was around -15º F.
On the way back we essentially went over Point 7132' then desnded back to the snowshoes.
The rest of the route out went fast and the sun even made an appearance or two.
We reached the road again at 1700 and got back to the car just as it was getting dark. Overall, another fun winter trip into the Backcourt.
Awesome TR and pics, we had the same high winds, my camera finger ungloved lasted maybe 10 - 15 seconds before I couldn't feel it, or move it to push the shutter button.
-------------- I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent_Gandhi
Good Lord, that was a hell of an effort! Three groups signed in 2008, and you guys put in a winter ascent. I'm pretty sure I would have cried for my mommy. Really strong work!
I didn't have my thinking cap on straight in preparation for this climb. Often I wear a pair of liner gloves beneath the thick outer pair. They serve to protect the skin from exposure to the cold when taking off the outer pair. The liners would have greatly facilitated us when putting on crampons in the unrelenting wind that shrink-wrapped around us. I will toss them in next time out as the added weight is negligible.
With a strong group of 5, we were able to make a winter ascent of what's known as MiddleChiwaukum (Mid C) or Point 7423' on Saturday. We had to park short of the normal road end, but other than that our route was nice and direct.
Numbers: 10 miles, 5500'
Who's up for going back sometime to ski that giant north bowl? So beautiful from Hwy 2 and I didn't know they plowed to the church camp.
Great work you all, pretty darn strong!
J
Anyone else want to try it in good weather sometime?
dicey and I were almost on this one, but I for one was not crazy about the weather for this thigh-burner. Would definitely like to do this one, though.
Curious why this is called "MiddleChiwaukum" since it's the northernmost Chiwaukum peak (at least with prominence) on that ridgeline.
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Awesome TR and pics, we had the same high winds, my camera finger ungloved lasted maybe 10 - 15 seconds before I couldn't feel it, or move it to push the shutter button.
