Forum Index > Trip Reports > July 20, 2011 Mountaineer Ridge 6920'; Stuart Lake
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John Morrow
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Joined: 03 Apr 2007
Posts: 1526 | TRs | Pics
Location: Roslyn
John Morrow
Member
PostThu Jul 21, 2011 10:17 am 
A 6:30AM phone call yesterday morning from Jake prompted this one, last minute. I just don't have much energy after the work week these days, but Jake has a power to rally me. Not to be a copy cat, but the lack of planning, imagination, and energy steered us in the direction of Dicey and Yana's great beta on their TR. For anyone who has considered this little objective, you probably already know that snow in the gully is a prerequisite, at least if one was to expect a modicum of enjoyment on this lowly peakbagger's dream. In reality, such an amazing front page view of the North Face of Stuart makes it worthwhile in its ownright. Not much more needs to be said. Start up the Lake Stuart trail to the lake and to the first view of the right snow gully. Continue around the back of the lake in easy crosscountry brush, crossing the creek on one of the many downed logs. Climb scree, better in June as snow, and enter the gully. Kick step, kick step, plant axe, repeat...until your at the top of the west ridge. Turn east on the ridge and enjoy a few hundred feet of blocky class 2 ridge walking to the top. Sign register, if you please. Go home.
First Look. Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
First Look. Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
Mountaineer Pass.  Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
Mountaineer Pass. Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
Objective gully
Objective gully
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
looks good
looks good
suiting up
suiting up
good step kickin'
good step kickin'
continuing
continuing
top of gully
top of gully
A real mountain behind
A real mountain behind
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
Actually, it be noted that the gully was just steep and narrow enough, with firm enough snow, that we plunged stepped our descent rather than glissade. Without metal underfoot, i.e. ski edges, I become quite a wuss.
descending
descending
doin' the plunge step
doin' the plunge step
down climbing the constriction
down climbing the constriction
heading out
heading out
last look
last look
Once again, thanks to Jake for making me rally! Addendum: OK, wait a minute, I just read the actual text and not just the pictures of the previous posts. Now I see that we weren't the only ones to find the gully a bit steep on the descent. I guess we ought to start carrying crampons before September, with sturdier boots, from now on. Thanks all for the vote of confidence. I guess "metal underfoot" doesn't just mean ski edges!

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”-Mary Oliver “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.” ― MLK Jr.
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Stuart
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Joined: 24 Oct 2004
Posts: 128 | TRs | Pics
Location: Bellevue, WA
Stuart
Member
PostThu Jul 21, 2011 10:29 am 
up.gif up.gif up.gif

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Mtn Man
Snow addict



Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Posts: 552 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline, WA
Mtn Man
Snow addict
PostThu Jul 21, 2011 12:16 pm 
No skis???? Randy and I were talking about skiing that gully yesterday. Jib it! B)

Mmmmm, backcountry...
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Randy
Cube Rat



Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics
Location: Near the Siamangs
Randy
Cube Rat
PostThu Jul 21, 2011 1:33 pm 
Can't wait to ski that next May or June.

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Matt Lemke
High on the Outdoors



Joined: 15 Jul 2010
Posts: 2052 | TRs | Pics
Location: Grand Junction
Matt Lemke
High on the Outdoors
PostThu Jul 21, 2011 6:07 pm 
Way to go...you don't need skis to have fun!

The Pacific coast to the Great Plains = my playground!!! SummitPost Profile See my website at: http://www.lemkeclimbs.com
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Forum Index > Trip Reports > July 20, 2011 Mountaineer Ridge 6920'; Stuart Lake
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