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GeoTom Member
Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 3215 | TRs | Pics Location: Earth |
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GeoTom
Member
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Mon Feb 07, 2011 10:30 pm
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Men: JK, zeusdaddy, GeoTom
Dawg Pack: Zeus, Athena and Jasper
Access: Highway 410 > Trailhead at Hells Crossing near MP 83
Maps: Green Trails Bumping Lake #271
Trails/Route: Goat Peak #958C (snow covered) then straight for the top on the north side
Mileage: The GPS said 5.5
Elevation Gain: ~3,300'
Photos: flickr set (many included below)
My version of events
Dani, Jasper and I had been up Goat Peak a few times during the late spring to early fall time frame, but had never tried it in the winter. Since we were already at the cabin I thought it would be a good trip with decent views if the weather cooperated.
JK and Zeusdaddy agreed to go, and we brought the big dogs with us. Wellie decided to stay at the cabin with the wimmens and protect them from dragons, electric eels, unicorns and whatever else might be lurking in the woods. Besides, he needed a break from Jasper. We left the cabin at 11:15-ish, kind of an anti-alpine start.
The trailhead parking area was a sheet of ice, but we managed to get onto the snow and start up the trail at 11:30-ish. Immediately we stopped to put on microspikes/yak-trax before continuing. A shallow snowshoe trench was visible and we were able to boot up it fairly quickly. After the second creek crossing we decideed to leave the summer trail for a little while as it traversed below. It went ok, and we eventually rejoined the summer trail (fairly obvious though snow covered). In retrospect it may have been faster to simply stay on the trail, and we did just that on our descent later.
Heading up through the woods Fifes Ridge Fifes Peaks
We reached the ridge ~4,800' and stopped for a short lunch break. Our progress was a little slower than anticipated, and we discussed a turnaround time. 3:00 (pm!) was agreed upon, and we continued on our ascent. Our pace picked up a bit on the ridge and at ~5,900' we arrived at where the summer trail traverses east before attaining American Ridge. The slopes above were steep, but looked doable. The trees blocked a clear view all the way to the top, but we decided to head straight up and see what happened.
Athena! Fifes Ridge through branches JK on the ridge Sunny skies on the ridge
JK found a good route through the trees and soon enough we could see the summit block. We stopped about 20 feet shy of the top to secure the dogs. Zeusdaddy went up first before returning, then JK and I went up. The views to the north and east were alright, but the clouds hid the views of Adams to the south and Rainier to the west. Still, a few closer in peaks were visible. It was already 3:00, but we figured the descent would go much quicker than the ascent so we squeezed out a few more minutes of rest, food, water and taking in the views before leaving the top a little before 3:30.
JK and Jasper at the crux move Athena spots the Goat Z & A watch their dad ride the Goat One more step... Mt. Aix hidden by clouds House Rock Old Scab Mountain Goodbye Goat Peak
As expected, the descent went much faster, and we arrived at the waiting car at 5:10. A short drive back to the cabin and beer awaited, although I was instructed to chop more wood for the stove first. A few swings of the axe and we had enough wood for dinner and breakfast the next day. And my beer was still cold.
Thanks for a fun trip guys (and Athena). The traverse along American Ridge back to the cabin awaits for longer days and less snow.
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fourteen410 Member
Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 2622 | TRs | Pics
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I was just wondering the other day what this was like in the winter. thanks for posting!
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puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7216 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
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Tue Feb 08, 2011 4:38 am
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It hurts just thinking about climbing Old Scab. Old Goat looks good though.
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kleet meat tornado
Joined: 06 Feb 2002 Posts: 5303 | TRs | Pics Location: O no they dih ent |
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kleet
meat tornado
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Tue Feb 08, 2011 8:18 am
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GeoTom wrote: | My version of events |
Love the purple prose.
A fuxk, why do I not give one?
A fuxk, why do I not give one?
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Dani Kimtah's Mom
Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 136 | TRs | Pics
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Dani
Kimtah's Mom
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Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:51 am
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While you guys were ascending Goat the wimmens + Wellie went to hang out at the old Ski lodge in the warm sunshine.
Keeping GeoTom in line since 1998
Keeping GeoTom in line since 1998
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