Forum Index > Trip Reports > Rock and scree fest on South Brother
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mtn.climber
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Joined: 29 Jul 2008
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Location: The Lost Horizon
mtn.climber
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PostMon Jun 01, 2015 10:34 pm 
Inspired by Fletcher's recent trip report of South Brother (Olympics), I decided to make the long drive over from Wenatchee for a rare climb in the Olympics. I convinced my son Derek (Rocknclimb) and a local cragger, Casey, to join in the fun. I'd been told the route was snow-free, and past the prime climbing season due to loose rock and scree. Great! We couldn't wait for the fun to begin. We left the car at Lena lake TH, and arrived at the lake just as the sun broke free from the cloud cover. After soaking up some rays, we headed up to climbers' camp through 'The Valley of Silent Men', a Tolkien-like forest that truly lives up to its' name. The East Lena creek flows underground part of the way, and moss muffled our footsteps as we worked our way upwards. About halfway up, the creek re-emerged to keep us company. There is also a waterfall that could be one of the most beautiful in the Olympics.
Lena lake
Lena lake
Beautiful waterfall
Beautiful waterfall
Mushroom tree
Mushroom tree
We set up camp, and with plenty of daylight, Derek and I headed upwards to get a better view of the next day's objective. We climbed about 1 mile and a 1,000' of elevation before heading back. We also got to talk to others that were coming back from summit attempts (some successful...some not) and got some good info. No water up high, directions, etc.
Fire time
Fire time
Another group started up shortly before us Sunday morning. Good news for us. We figured we would follow them (but not too close), and hopefully avoid any route-finding issues. On the downside, we would have to pay extra attention to rocks raining down from above. Our plan worked to perfection, though we did have a couple of narrow misses from airborne rock missiles. Certainly not their fault. At times it seemed as if the entire mountain was sliding down. There is a lower rock gully to follow, then head up a steep scree area before aiming to the right to gain a shrub-filled ridge. After that is another gully, then an open, steep scree field. We kept trending right, and a couple hundred feet below a saddle spotted a ribbon/cairn that led us to a notch that leads directly to the summit.
Looking into the hourglass
Looking into the hourglass
Onward and upward
Onward and upward
Steep and loose
Steep and loose
Derek (bottom left) heading towards summit
Derek (bottom left) heading towards summit
Peek-a-boo
Peek-a-boo
Views were hazy, but we could spot all five WA volcanoes, and also the Seattle skyline. We spent about 45 minutes on the top to allow the other group to gain some safety distance, then headed down. Three hours later we arrived safely at camp, packed up and were back at the car by 7. We re-fueled ourselves at Fish Tale Brewery in Olympia before the long drive back home.
North Brother from summit
North Brother from summit
Another summit to share with Derek
Another summit to share with Derek
Sure-footed goat
Sure-footed goat
Anyone know the story behind this plaque?
Anyone know the story behind this plaque?
About 20 miles and 7,000' elevation gain. Definitely DO NOT try this one without a helmet. eek.gif

Reach for the sky, cuz tomorrow may never come. Live the life of love. Love the life you live.
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks



Joined: 13 Feb 2007
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Location: Stuck in the middle
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
PostMon Jun 01, 2015 11:22 pm 
Congrats -- interesting to see the whole route with no snow on it.

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Magellan
Brutally Handsome



Joined: 26 Jul 2006
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Location: Inexorable descent
Magellan
Brutally Handsome
PostTue Jun 02, 2015 8:03 am 
Nice work. up.gif Mad props to anyone who braves this one without snow.

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silence
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Joined: 25 Apr 2005
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silence
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PostTue Jun 02, 2015 8:17 am 
Cool .. here's a pic of the Bros on the 29th ... thought you might enjoy seeing it from the other side
Shot at the end of a less than stellar sunset from camp on Del Monte Ridge. But, still it was awesome just being there.
Shot at the end of a less than stellar sunset from camp on Del Monte Ridge. But, still it was awesome just being there.

PHOTOS FILMS Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
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rocknclimb
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Joined: 10 Sep 2010
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Location: Wenatchee Valley
rocknclimb
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PostTue Jun 02, 2015 1:34 pm 
Fun climb except for needing to dodge a couple pumpkin size rocks flying down the mountain eek.gif Valley of Silent Men was cool up.gif
Lena Lake
Lena Lake
Valley floor
Valley floor
Mossy
Mossy
Small waterfall
Small waterfall
Valley of Silent Men
Valley of Silent Men
Beargrass
Beargrass
Crap Gully #1
Crap Gully #1
Dad heading up crap gulley #2
Dad heading up crap gulley #2
Traversing crap gully #3
Traversing crap gully #3
Crap rock
Crap rock
Route to the summit block
Route to the summit block
Notch that leads to the summit
Notch that leads to the summit
Scrambling up the summit block
Scrambling up the summit block
North summit
North summit
Cruiser, Stone, Skokomish
Cruiser, Stone, Skokomish
Goat
Goat
Casey near the summit
Casey near the summit
View toward Puget Sound
View toward Puget Sound
Another great weekend in the mountains!!!

When asked "Why do you climb"? Simply respond "Why don't you"?
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Malachai Constant
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Joined: 13 Jan 2002
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Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny
Malachai Constant
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PostTue Jun 02, 2015 3:59 pm 
Brothers has great views and is a nice climb if alone, otherwise it is as bad a Shiz fest as any peak by the name of Red. shakehead.gif

"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
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