[cartman]

Thanks for the great TR, info and pics, John. Good to know that Monument Creek is still an option and that Eureka can be forded safely. Don't feel too bad about not getting Ptarmigan--it's a fantastic trip in larch season from Canada: http://www.mtnvista.net/Mountains/Mountains%202005/05%2010-08%20Ptarmigan%20Peak.htm ; and Dot is just a walkover. Weather on Ragged Ridge (and everywhere else) looked fine on Sat as viewed from Gardner.

[yukon222]

Wonderful ridge roaming - thanks for the pics and detailed descriptions!

[John Morrow]

[cartman]

[BeyondLost]

[don b]

We were quite amazed when we entered the Marblemount Station only to find another group debating the same trip. The weather report at 5:30 in Seattle wasn't too bad but by 8 it seemed to have taken a turn. After a brief debate we decided to head East. We discovered the other group (admitted NWH lurkers) had come to the same conclusion. The Pistol Pass hike would be a tough one later in the summer heat. We ended up following the "climbers" route only to discover on our descent that there were a number of still intact switchbacks that we had evidently missed on our way up. Too much talk. Once the top of the ridge is reached it's a very pleasant hike to Pistol Pass. On our second day, the long one, we ran into a NOLS group at Shellrock Pass. Teenagers in the middle of a 30 day trip, some of which probably don't know just how lucky they are to be doing that. Their leader was amazed to run into another group. The students were taking over route finding and decision making at the that point with the leaders observing. They didn't have ice axes and so were trying to figure out a safe way to descend steepish snow from the Pass when we just dropped into a speed glissade down. We ran into 2 more of the leaders farther on and they made some comment about us demonstrating exactly what not to do! The descent from Lost was extremely efficient and if one was to choose to climb Lost from Pistol Pass would be the way to go. The drawback of that approach is the Lake Doris/Shellrock traverse is much, much nicer. Our method of ascending Monument and Lake was excellent. The tactic of climbing Lake second and descending the East Ridge was fast and much more pleasant then the South side. If one only wants to climb Lake from the Lake of the Woods Basin then this is the way to go up and down. A wonderful trip with great people. The only disappointment was looking each day at our intended NC peaks in great conditions.

[cartman]

This area must be part of a standard NOLS route, as Matt and I ran into one of their groups at Freds Lake six years ago. Spoke to a couple of the students; they were twenty days into their trip, one young man was speaking with pride about their summit of Rolo. They had been resupplied at the abandoned Pasayten airfield a few days earlier. Good info and trip, all.

[Schmidt Alti-Babe]

For a backup plan, what a great trip!

[Stefan]

How did I pass up on this report? Way to make a memorable trip with your anticipated weather forecast scenarios!