Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 2998 | TRs | Pics Location: Back to work
Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:07 pm The Fellowship of The Larch visits Black Peak; 10/10-11/09
Most of you are probably familiar with the Lord of The Rings books and movies. There was a Fellowship of The Ring in that tale. This story is just like that. Only different.
Set in Northwest Earth sometime in the early 21st Century, this story stars an unlikely cast of characters: JK of Norland, the center of Scandahoovia, Carlos of Brazdor, the exotic southern lands, Ingunn, the amusing Hobbit, Schmidt the AltiElf, Yukon the Yellow, wizard of the zoom lens, and GeoTom the Stout, of unknown origin, likely a cross of man, beer and ice cream, with occasional appearances by Soapy the Reckless, a strange frog-like creature obsessed with his precious summits.
Our intrepid band of explorers set forth from the Puget region of Northwest Earth in search of the elusive larch, a tree rumored to turn from green to golden yellow in the early fall, before eventually dropping their needles for the winter. Their journey took them first north, then east to a pass called Rainy, where they left their horses (well, cars) and set off on foot through on a path known as the Lake Ann-Maple Pass trail. The morning was brisk, and some of the group were carrying a heavy load, while others pranced ahead, carrying next to nothing. A fork in the path was reached, and our group turned right as they had been told this path led to a vast kingdom of peaceful larches and a peak called Black.
One larch was spotted, then another and another, until our group was surrounded by them. They weere afraid, but Yukon the Yellow announced in a low voice, “Let’s take some photos” and our explorers snapped away, capturing larches big and small to their memory cards.
The path continued through the terrifying talus of Corteo which was made more treacherous than normal by a recent dusting of snow. Luckily our group was familiar with snow travel, and forged a path through the boulders towards the murky waters of Lewis Lake. There were a few slips and spills, but all of our explorers made it safely to the shores of Lewis Lake and decided to stop for lunch and study the ancient maps they had been provided.
Another lake with larches around it was rumored to exist below the slopes of Black Peak, and the Fellowship was determined to find it. They blazed a trail around the northern shores of Lewis Lake and began a steep ascent when they were sudenly attacked by more larches. Luckily these larches only wanted to be photographed and they stood tall and proud while the Fellowship walked through them, pressing their shutter buttons down at an alarming frequency. After an eternity (ok, maybe 45 minutes) the Fellowship crested a small bump and laid their eyes on beautiful Wing Lake.
At this point Yukon, Schmidt and GeoTom dropped their heavy packs and searched for a suitable spot to pitch their tents for the night. JK and Carlos immediately headed for the slopes of Black Peak, while Ingunn was content to wait for them by the shores of the lake. After finding a decent camp spot, Yukon, Schmidt and GeoTom followed in JK and Carlos’ footsteps up the slopes of Black Peak.
There was no trail here, but rather a field of rocks with some snow in places. The way got steeper. Our explorers grew weary in the thin air. Suddenly they saw three figures descending and heard them yelling. A familiar voice rang out, “TNAB!” Our explorers soon recognized these miscreants as the Three M’s (Magnum, mntsun and meandmyaussies). They were descending from their own summit of the peak called Black and provided some useful route information before continuing their descent to a plethora of cold beverages waiting below.
Inspired by the M’s success and fortified with helpful information, Yukon, Schmidt and GeoTom resumed their upward path to the ridge high above, using a path known as the ‘Red Ramp’. Upon gaining the ridge they stopped for a minute to catch their breath and take in the views.
Rested and refreshed, our trio continued higher along the ridge, clambering over rocks the size of grapefruit and soccer balls. JK and Carlos were nowhere to be seen. Had the dark lord Voldemort gotten to them? Oh, wait, wrong story. Ok, back to our story: shortly GeoTom announced “Summit block” and sure enough, the summit block was right in front of them. They traversed to the right, as they had been told, and soon found a reasonable gully. Voices came from above. It was JK and Carlos, safe at the summit! GeoTom decided to continue his traverse around the peak and found a less reasonable path to the top. Naturally he chose to ascend this way, while Yukon made his ascent up the gully of reason.
GeoTom reached the summit to find JK and Carlos about to descend to Wing Lake and the waiting hobbit Ingunn. Apparently JK was quite fond of her, and wanted to ensure her safety. GeoTom managed to snap a photograph or two of the speedy duo before they flew down the mountain. While on top, a loud noise startled GeoTom, and he noticed the strange creature Soapy arriving with a new mode of transport. GeoTom was a bit wary of Soapy as the creature was often heard yelling expletives at other climbers and mumbling “My precious” when looking at peaks. GeoTom kept his distance.
Soon Yukon made an appearance on the summit. Unfortunately, Schmidt was having a bit of difficulty down below as she was a bit shorter in stature than the others. GeoTom mocked her while Yukon the Yellow unselfishly descended to assist her. With a little encouragement, Schmidt made it to the summit, but not before GeoTom, embarrassed by his behavior, chose to descend the same way JK and Carlos had. Somehow he managed to avoid slipping off the narrow spot where his beer gut hung out over both sides.
Yukon and Schmidt shortly joined him below, and together the three of them retraced their steps down the ridge to a point below where they had gained it, in search of easier descent slopes. At first the ground was frozen solid, and GeoTom though he might tumble all the way to Wing Lake, but soon the going became easier and they had a somewhat relaxing, if a bit cool, descent to their packs waiting near the lake. JK, Carlos and Ingunn were nowhere to be found, having headed back to the pass called Rainy and a slightly warmer car camp near the Lone Fir and a potential larch hunting trip to a beautiful blue lake the following day.
Tents were set up, sleeping bags unfurled and a bonfire was started using several freshly cut larches. When those didn’t burn too well, they dug out their stoves and cooked a meal. Sleep came quickly as they burrowed into their sleeping bags, safe from the cold temperatures.
Morning eventaully came and Yukon got up to check things out while the others slept in until 8:00 am, recovering from the strenuous climb of the previous day. The sun was shining and the day promised to be pleasant. After some breakfast camp was broken and our trio began their descent. 15 minutes later they were still at Wing Lake, still taking pictures of the larches and the lake and the mountains. Eventually they left the lake, and headed towards another summit that appeared to have more larches, a little bump known as Lewis Peak Lake.
The heavy packs were dropped at a saddle, and our group took turns leading the way to the top, with Schmidt reaching the summit first, with Soapy driving up right behind her. It was uncanny how he always seemed to appear on the summit right as the others did. They kept their distance while enjoying the views from this pleasant summit.
After descending to their packs, the group made their way back to Lewis Lake and then back through the terrifying talus of Corteo, even more slick than the previous day. They were hoping not to find JK, Ingunn and Carlos huddled together beneath a rock. A few choice words were uttered at various times, but they made it back to Heather Pass unharmed. A short break was taken while they debated heading to a place called Maple Pass, which was rumored to be overrun with poodles and French bulldogs, Instead, they chose to continue their search for larch and snags (well, only GeoTom wanted to see the snags) on another summit known affectionately as “Crooked Bum”
The ridge to Crooked Bum was steep in places, but mercifully short, and soon our trio arrived on the southwestern cheek just in time to see Soapy drive up. Due to the crooked nature of the bum, the northeastern cheek was definitely lower, and there was no need to mount it as well. Some thought was given to descending the crack to the Maple Pass trail, but the packs were still back at Heather Pass. Besides, the crack might have been dirty without fresh snow to wipe it clean.
The descent to Heather Pass went quickly, as did the final descent back to the trailhead. Yukon drove back to the Puget region and kicked GeoTom out near his exit. Luckily, GeoTom caught a ride with Soapy and made it home safely while Yukon and Schmidt headed into the west. Ok, south actually.
It was a very enjoyable weekend, even if the whole fellowship wasn’t able to stay together the entire time.
Someone else was keeping track of the mileage travelled and the elevation gained, so maybe they will provide that information.
Black Peak = 8,970'
Lewis Lake Peak (unofficial name) = 6,963'
Crooked Bum (unofficial name) = 6,937'
Since the weather gods promised colder and colder temperatures each time they were asked, the foreign delegates of the Fellowship decided to forgo a night at Wing Lake and stay at Lone Fir instead. As a bonus, carrying a wee pack would give the hobbit a fighting chance to keep up with the nobler races (Soapy refused to give her a ride ) as they ran up the trail.
The stinking green bog of Lewis Lake was the perfect place to enjoy Second Breakfast after surviving the treacherous talus of doom.
The lazy hobbit enjoyed the shores of Wing Lake so much that she decided to stay there while the rest of the Fellowship ascended the menacing peak of Black. The tricksy little thing stayed warm by pilfering various down-filled items from the packs the others had left behind and cocooning inside five layers of robes.
Happy to be reunited four hours later, the three foreigners headed out just in time to cross the talus as it was getting dark. Sucker holes were discovered and much cursing was heard, but they all survived to hike the last miles out under a beautiful display of stars.
Safe and sound at Lone Fir, the men conjured up fire (and sausages fashioned out of a strange fake meat) and the hobbit spent all night and the following morning entranced by the flames.
The trio had heard rumors of a beautiful gem of a lake surrounded by noble larches right off the main road - the Blue Lake did not disappoint. They lingered there until their hindquarters became frosty before reluctantly traveling the three hours back to RedTowne to resume their everyday lives.
I had debated with myself before committing to the trip, wondering whether the weather would stay sunny enough to justify enduring the projected 10° temperatures at the 7000' campsite. But in the end, how can one skip a sunny October weekend in the North Cascades with larches? I couldn't!
Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Posts: 8568 | TRs | Pics Location: Going to Tukwila
Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:35 am
Really nice trip and photography, guys! Looks like you made the most of a cold cold weekend!
-------------- "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke
"Ignorance is natural. Stupidity takes commitment." -Solomon Short
Joined: 08 Jun 2003 Posts: 1882 | TRs | Pics Location: Round the Bend
Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:11 am Re: The Fellowship of The Larch visits Black Peak; 10/10-11/09
GeoTom wrote:
Set in Northwest Earth sometime in the early 21st Century, this story stars an unlikely cast of characters: JK of Norland, the center of Scandahoovia, Carlos of Brazdor, the exotic southern lands, Ingunn, the amusing Hobbit, Schmidt the AltiElf, Yukon the Yellow, wizard of the zoom lens, and GeoTom the Stout, of unknown origin, likely a cross of man, beer and ice cream, with occasional appearances by Soapy the Reckless, a strange frog-like creature obsessed with his precious summits.
Perhaps one of the best TR intros of ALL TIME!
Ingunn wrote:
yukon222 wrote:
GeoTom wrote:
Maybe Tolkien should have used more pictures in his trilogy because this
tale of adventure was visually entertaining from start to finish.
When do you release the film trailers?
I wouldn't repeat this style too often, though- it could be a bad hobbit...
-------------- "If we didn't live venturously, plucking the wild goat by the beard, and trembling over precipices, we should never be depressed, I've no doubt; but already should be faded, fatalistic and aged." - Virginia Woolf
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) as they ran up the trail.
![[b:90c87d7251]Lard[/b:90c87d7251] of the Rings](thumbs/4006969548_fcddd8befe.jpg)
