[John Morrow]

Maybe someone can chime in and say why this is related to a certain honeymoon. I don't want to be inaccurate! Green Beckey Guide (2nd Ed.) Page 326 gave me the idea First the hike to Easy Pass, then the following: I then traversed NW around Pk 7690', but it was not fun. Kitling Peak 8003': Up Class 3, S. Ridge . Great solid stuff, avoiding loose debris on solid ledges and holds. Descend Class 2, W. Ridge/SW gullies of Kitling. Good with options easy routefinding. Cub Peak 7985': Class 2, East Ridge. one easy Class 3 move at summit block. Traverse under sw slope of Kitling, easy but loose class 2. Short. Pk 7690: NW Ridge, great Class 2. Descend Class 2, SE. ridge of Pk 7690' dropping onto south slope to avoid a few chasms/pinnacles. I'd just go over 7690' twice and avoid my crappy initial traverse out of Easy Pass around it. New Morning Peak 7290': dirty loose traverse under pinnacles to a good gully finish, good on either margin of the loose center rubble.

Kitling traverse

This is great scrambling. The underlying rock is solid, just loosey goosey junk lying on the holds. By traversing under the SW slope of Kitling to bypass the Class 3/4 S. Ridge, then Cub, Kitling, and Pk 7690' are all Class 2. it was so fun to stay up high in such a location all day. My hat's off to you serious Bulgers, such committing undertakings all around me. They're not just big slogs! The trail:

colors right off Easy Pass trail

into the basin

New Morning Pk looms over

Prime berry and ash color

aglow in backlight

To Kitling and the S. Ridge:

KitlingSouth Ridge ahead

Cub Peak's east ridge later

Start at the bush, good rock

Great class 3 scrambling

frozen tarn

Class 3 goodness

Looking back down S. Ridge

Goode and Logan

North Cascades National Park

Over to Cub:

Kitling's Class 2 west ridge

Ragged Ridge, North Cascades National Park

good traversing

looking back up...fun options

Here we go, Cub's E. Ridge

great easy Class 2

short easy Cl. 3 summit block

Ice Fall couloir

North Cascades National Park

deep trailless wilds

fun descent

superior Class 2 rock

self timer run for scale

Back across to Pk 7690:

SW side of Kitling

Mesachie glacier

Ridge run back to Pk 7690'

The whole enchilada

Finally New Morning:

Stephen Mather Wilderness, North Cascades National Park, WA

must bypass these on south (on descent)

Now an uglyish traverse

but good rock on gully margins

looking back at a long fun day

descending the other margin

go slow and safe: people below!

Heading home:

color and Logan

Easy Pass environs NCNP; Mather Wilderness

at the Pass

Approaching Easy Pass

[iron]

really nice timing and a great trip idea. i always forget there's so many larches there.

[Sadie's Driver]

Lovely!

[Rainie Too!]

Nice to see you getting out making the most of this Indian Summer John! Hope it never stops!

[Magellan]

Sounds like a fun tour. Gorgeous pictures.

[mehitabel]

That looks really nice--thanks for the report. Photos are great.

[Fletcher]

That does look like a lot of fun, with killer views too!

[Jetlag]

Dang, I only have the 1st and 3rd editions of Green Beckey available. Missing your honeymoon reference. I've traversed part of this route on snow. Great to hear there's at least some solid rock under there!! Really like the self portrait! Thanks for sharing the excellent route-finding pictures and map.

[DIYSteve]

jet, Pt. 7690 is called Honeymoon Hump Nice, John. And, yeah, sidehilling there aint fun at all.

[Abert]

Great Highway 20 trips, John. There's no wrong ridge to be on up there on a sunny October day.

[Jetlag]

Steve - thanks! Can't have too many humps!

[Gimpilator]

Awesome trip! I hope to follow in your footprints.