[Gimpilator]

Heather, Chad and Greg joined me for a hike up Whistler Mountain 7790' and "Crooked Bum" 6937' on either side of Rainy Pass. We started with Whistler and ascended steep forested slopes right above the PCT northbound parking lot.

first view of Whistler above the basin

southwest peak of Cutthroat

crossing the meadow

Greg enters a gully

Heather

At 6000 feet we traversed west to reach the base of a meadow nestled between Whistler and the southwest peak of Cutthroat. We crossed several small streams in the meadow and then we came to the west ridge of Whistler. We followed this ridge up to the summit of Whistler.

steep terrain

Heather and Greg wait for Chad and I to catch up

Chad near the top of the west ridge

Chad

almost there

We encountered a few minor class 3 sections but it was almost entirely class 2. There were however a lot of large loose talus stones which went sliding down with the slightest provocation. I accidentally sent one right towards Heather's heals but thankfully she jumped out of the way in time.

Washington Pass

Golden Horn, Tower, Cutthroat

Goode, Corteo, Logan, Black

Glacier, Rainy, Dome, Frisco, Rainy Lake

high definition 360 degree panorama

Jack

Goode, Corteo, Storm King

Bonanza

Switchblade and Jackknife

Tower, Cutthroat, The Needles

descending

Views from the summit were pretty spectacular. I was inspired to construct a high definition full-size 360 degree panorama, which I haven't done for nearly a year. It was breezy and cold so we didn't stay long. We could see the crooked bum down below on the other side of the highway.

Maple Pass trail

looking back at Whistler

the bum

Lake Anne

We descended back to the car and drove across the highway. Then we hiked up the trail to Heather Pass. I found it slightly amusing that I was going with Heather to Heather Pass, just like eating Madeleine cookies at Madeleine Creek a few days ago. Juvenile amusement, I know...

Maverick at Heather Pass

Greg at Heather Pass

south cheek

We hiked past Lake Anne and then turned northeast, off-trail at the pass. There was one exposed section which kept it interesting and views got increasingly more astounding as we neared the summit.

Corteo

Corteo, Black, Lewis Lake

Rainy and Frisco

overlooking the north cheek

Golden Horn, Porcupine, Tower

Cutthroat

Whistler

Heather dug around inside the summit cairn and was rewarded with her second Fay Pullen register. I had just been saying a few minutes prior that this was exactly the type of place where I usually find a Fay register.

Fay Pullen register

Black

summit

Frisco

Molar Tooth

group summit shot

Chad noticed that Maverick's paws were a bit chewed up by all the rough rock on this peak and Whistler. Heather donated her handkerchief to made a bandage for the worst paw. Thankfully he was able to tough it out and walk back to the car on his own. Chad assured me this morning that he is healing well. It was great to meet you Chad, and Maverick too. I look forward to more trips together.

[Jeb]

It was great meeting you all as well! I'm glad we were finally able to hook up, and found success and nice weather too. I will add some pics when i get a chance. And here they are:

Light bushwhacking below Whistler Peak

Our first target: Whistler Peak

Bridge Creek Meadows

Rainy Peak, Frisco Mountain, Rainy Lake

Maverick overlooking Frisco Mountain and Rainy Lake

Maverick and Gimpilator heading up Whistler Peak

Final ridge scramble to the top

Gimpilator examines the summit register on Whistler Peak

Our next destination: Crooked Bum, with dozens of Peaks towering overhead

Cuthroat Peak

Whistler Peak Summit Pano

Maverick overlooking Frisco Mountain and Rainy Lake from Whistler Peak

Washington Pass

Maverick on Whistler Peak

Corteo and Black Peak beyond Crooked Bum

Rogue balloon

Cuthroat and Whistler from Lake Ann Trail

On our way toward Heather Pass; Corteo Peak in the distance

Methow Pinnacles, Golden Horn, Mt Hardy, Tower, and The Needles

Porcupine, Cuthroat, Whistler

Black Peak

Corteo Peak

Rainy Peak and Frisco Mountain from Crooked Bum

Fay Pullen register on Crooked Bum

Looking north from Crooked Bum. North Cascade Highway Peaks from Crater to Whistler

Black Peak

[Greg K.]

Great peaks with even greater friends to be on them with. Love the panoramic shot. Nice trailhead facilities and tons of parking. Looking forward to my next trip with Adam and friends hopefully sooner then later.