Forum Index > Trip Reports > 4th of Defiance 07.04.11
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furthur
Berry Bagger



Joined: 21 Sep 2006
Posts: 341 | TRs | Pics
Location: onward and upward
furthur
Berry Bagger
PostWed Jul 06, 2011 7:03 pm 
Defiance was the 2011 choice for Chango’s annual 4th of July flag planting ceremony. Six of us landed in a packed parking lot about 10am, but ditched the crowds at the Mason Lake turnoff.
Defiance
Defiance
Bandera / Mason junction
Bandera / Mason junction
Rainier clear
Rainier clear
The trail to this point is in late (Ira) spring condition-- the biters were minimal and the flowers / bushes only budding. Once we began descending to Mason, snow patched the way until completely taking over at the lake.
Mason Lake under Bandera
Mason Lake under Bandera
outlet crossing
outlet crossing
cell reception the entire trip
cell reception the entire trip
Following a secondary tradition, the mad Bulgarian took a “refreshing” dip near the outlet, the only ice free zone. Manning up, one of the equally mad Poles waded in. His screaming assessment: that international four letter curse.
say again?
say again?
Nobody at the lake except a ranger, a rare opportunity to pretend we happened into a secret place (except for the toilet sign). Discovering the summer trail was challenging, so we simply headed in Defiance’s direction, moving up and over the ridge, trudging in snow all the way.
rocks, finally!
rocks, finally!
Instead of traversing the south face, we ascended from the east, topping out to extraordinary views to the Olys, the Sound, Baker, Stuart, Adams, and Rainier.
I could hear the cameras clicking from this far away
I could hear the cameras clicking from this far away
Baker
Baker
Rainier floating
Rainier floating
Bandera and Mason
Bandera and Mason
Kulla Kulla
Kulla Kulla
Two baby carrots lay on the ground around the summit rocks, so we rolled up a snowman to help us celebrate.
Snowman of Liberty
Snowman of Liberty
As I was the only American citizen, it fell to me to squeak out the National Anthem for the flag ceremony—could have used your support, B C’munk and Mountain Man!
Hong Kong, Belgium, Poland, Poland, Bulgaria, USA
Hong Kong, Belgium, Poland, Poland, Bulgaria, USA
The descent was less frightful than we expected, and included a couple swift glissades. We used only boots and poles, but were very aware of the many spots of unsupported snow. It will be a couple weeks before the summer trail completely melts out—and then for the flower show on the south face!
yeah! retrieved my trusty stick!
yeah! retrieved my trusty stick!
Rainier in the pm
Rainier in the pm

"You're either on the bus or off the bus." Kesey
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Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker



Joined: 16 Dec 2001
Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics
Location: Cle Elum
Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker
PostWed Jul 06, 2011 7:43 pm 
Good work. Nice pics.

"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide." — Abraham Lincoln
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Bloated Chipmunk
Cock Rock Searcher



Joined: 29 Jan 2007
Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics
Location: Margaritaville
Bloated Chipmunk
Cock Rock Searcher
PostWed Jul 06, 2011 7:59 pm 
furthur wrote:
As I was the only American citizen, it fell to me to squeak out the National Anthem for the flag ceremony—could have used your support, B C’munk and Mountain Man!
Hong Kong, Belgium, Poland, Poland, Bulgaria, USA
Hong Kong, Belgium, Poland, Poland, Bulgaria, USA
WHAT?? I WASN'T INVITED on the 4th of July hike this time?! clown.gif Oh well, you don't want to hear me try to sing, trust me on that. notlistening.gif shakehead.gif wink.gif I can't believe Chango's not wearing a yellow shirt...what's up w/that? confused.gif wink.gif I can believe, however, the icy water dip. crazy.gif

Home is where the hiking is. "Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
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Hiker Mama
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Member


Joined: 25 Jun 2006
Posts: 3448 | TRs | Pics
Location: Lynnwood
Hiker Mama
Member
PostWed Jul 06, 2011 8:03 pm 
Nice trip!

My hiking w/ kids site: www.thehikermama.com
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half fast
member



Joined: 21 Mar 2010
Posts: 1392 | TRs | Pics
Location: Living the dream in my 5th Wheel
half fast
member
PostWed Jul 06, 2011 8:22 pm 
Nice TR and photos... up.gif up.gif Looks like you all had a great time... ok, I am not sure about the lake dip, for me anyway... but he looked like it was enjoyable dizzy.gif . Thanks for sharing... biggrin.gif

It's all about the fun, oh and maybe the chocolate - half fast
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MountainMan
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Joined: 15 Jul 2008
Posts: 365 | TRs | Pics
Location: San Diego
MountainMan
Member
PostWed Jul 06, 2011 9:17 pm 
furthur wrote:
Following a secondary tradition, the mad Bulgarian took a “refreshing” dip near the outlet, the only ice free zone. Manning up, one of the equally mad Polacks waded in. His screaming assessment: that international four letter curse.
say again?
say again?
Ahh, darn it! I missed the swim! biggrin.gif

Slow down, take notice, savor the moment, appreciate the world around you and everything that you have.
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Snowdog
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Joined: 21 Jul 2006
Posts: 1027 | TRs | Pics
Location: on (& off) the beaten path
Snowdog
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PostThu Jul 07, 2011 9:00 am 
nice trip to celebrate the 4th with international friends! up.gif

'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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Yet
Member
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Joined: 23 Apr 2005
Posts: 2634 | TRs | Pics
Location: Happily Ever After
Yet
Member
PostThu Jul 07, 2011 9:12 am 
Thanks for the TR. Looks like a fun group! smile.gif

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Highwalker's Daughter
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Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Posts: 1575 | TRs | Pics
Location: Bothell, WA
Highwalker's Daughter
Member
PostThu Jul 07, 2011 10:27 pm 
Looks like a fantastic time! Can't wait to get back up to that area - not sure I'd be brave enough for a dip in the icy lake redface.gif

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furthur
Berry Bagger



Joined: 21 Sep 2006
Posts: 341 | TRs | Pics
Location: onward and upward
furthur
Berry Bagger
PostFri Jul 08, 2011 5:33 am 
Checked the date when I was last up Defiance--16 July, 2006. My notes describe the south face flower meadow in full bloom, and not a flake of snow. On the other hand, the lake was people-packed and the trail buzzed loudly with hungry bugs, so the unique solitude of a snowy visit was quite a treat!

"You're either on the bus or off the bus." Kesey
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