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neek Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 2337 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:09 am
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Look at a map of the Glacier Peak wilderness, and this ridge screams out as something that Must Be Done. A recent report proved that one day would be sufficient, so early Sunday I set out for the North Fork Sauk trailhead (along Road 49 off the Mtn Loop Hwy) and began the loop in a clockwise direction. Getting to the top of Painted (Red) was straightforward; go left at the obstacle at the end of the maintained trail. Following the ridge to Magenta was an easy walk. From there, things got interesting. The east ridge of Magenta involves some exposed but solid scrambling, and I took it really slowly. My tiny pack got in the way a few times and I can't imagine doing it with a heavy overnight pack--maybe folks who do that descend considerably and avoid this section. I tried to cut over to the north side of the ridge too soon a few times, but eventually found the spot. Black was a lot of fun: easy snow and slabs, and the gully on the west side of the peak was mostly solid and not bad at all, despite the horror stories. Coming off the south of Black involved a steep and tedious meadow gully but led to a beautiful basin a cool water slide. Next it was back up to a high point on the ridge, and a ridge walk to Skullcap involving another short but tricky section. The remainder of the ridge was straightforward and pleasant.
Lots of old growth in this area Approaching the Summit of Painted (Red) Mountain Black Mountain, from the summit of Magenta. Last entry in the register was Stefan's 8/4 trip. Exposed Class 3 downclimb off the south side of Magenta Gentle snow slopes on the west side of Black Slabs on Black A little pool Rock slide Some of the rocks on Black are almost white as snow Looking back at Painted and Magenta from the summit of Black, with Sloan Peak in the distance I believe this is the White Chuck glacier Descending south from Black Pretty basin south of Black Flower Butterflies doin' it From Point 6844 along the ridge. Next up: Skullcap and Portal Thanks guys for showing the way Some more class 3, pretty short this time Water coming off snow to the east Glacier from Skullcap Johnson, across the North Fork Sauk valley Easy from this point White Mountain, not in the cards for today On the summit of Portal, still lookin' good On the way down to the trail Getting late From near the top of the North Fork Sauk trail These huckleberries, along with perfect alpine blueberries along the PCT, really slowed me down Final shot before entering forest
Some pano shots:
I followed Stefan's map almost exactly; without it I'm not sure this trip would have gone. Thanks man!
Timeline:
7:47 start
10:07 Red summit
11:22 Magenta summit
14:13 Black summit
16:17 Point 6844
17:01 Skullcap summit
18:10 Portal summit
18:36 PCT
22:30 end
Full set of photos if this isn't enough.
Now I Fly, Anne Elk SpookyKite89
Now I Fly, Anne Elk SpookyKite89
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ree Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 4399 | TRs | Pics
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ree
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:18 am
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Wow, nice! I got this on my list too. I don't think I want to do it as a day hike though.
I hope the bugs are getting better out there. About time.
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olderthanIusedtobe Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2011 Posts: 7708 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
neek wrote: | Johnson, across the North Fork Sauk valley |
I was on top of that on Thursday, in the fog. Coming up from Blue Lakes was easy switchbacking thru high meadows. Looking down the side of it shown in your photo (what little bit I could see), the mountain takes on an entirely different character.
Nice photos, looks like a cool traverse.
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BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
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BarbE
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:56 am
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neek wrote: | A recent report proved that one day would be sufficient |
Only for a select few but hikers like me with an overnight pack name it The "Pained Traverse"
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neek Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 2337 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 12:08 pm
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ree wrote: | I hope the bugs are getting better out there. About time. |
Yeah, forgot to mention, practically no bugs.
Thanks for the White Chuck correction; that's of course what I meant.
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Stefan Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001 Posts: 5091 | TRs | Pics
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Stefan
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:05 pm
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wow. glad that worked out for you!
that's where I left my knife...by accident!
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neek Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 2337 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:16 pm
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Stefan wrote: | that's where I left my knife...by accident! |
sorry I couldn't grab it for you! with the minimal pack, there was no safe place to put it without getting holes poked in stuff. you'll have to repeat...
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wolffie Member
Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 2693 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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wolffie
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Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:05 am
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ice ax? crampons?
Some people have better things to do with their lives than walking the dog. Some don't.
Some people have better things to do with their lives than walking the dog. Some don't.
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neek Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 2337 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:28 am
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wolffie wrote: | ice ax? crampons? |
Axe wasn't strictly necessary but took it out a few times to look cool and feel more confident on soft but somewhat slippery snow. Always like having an axe for unexpected ice, digging cat holes, fighting off mountain lions, or whatever opportunity for creative use might present itself. The scariest section was definitely the climb down the south ridge of "Magenta". An error there would not be in your favor.
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User-Name Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 312 | TRs | Pics Location: bellevue |
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cascadetraverser Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 1407 | TRs | Pics
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You didn`t waste any time on that trip. Well done. The gully section from Magenta is loads of fun isn`t it, fortunately short!
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