[wolffie]

The major damage (mostly near TH) has been cleared to Granite Tr jct. Past the jct, Pratt Lake Trail has more than a dozen blowdown, but they've been cleaned-up with a small saw; easy to go over or under. A few Right Awkward Buggers: hanging precariously, a 2' with rootball, to be removed by sawyers who know what they're doing. But it's basically open to the saddle. One deep stream well was awkward, requiring a Corgi Toss each way. Water plentiful. Weather sunny, warm but windy all day; I'd say 20-40mph. Snow seemed settled, so we went up the standard tourist route. Along the ridge between Granite and the Pratt saddle, cornices are starting to break off on the N side, and a few places you might be able to start a slide on the S side if you try.

Granite Lookout

Al manages to hold the scene together.

Cascade Liberation Organization. Ruffians, not terrierists.

Resistance is futile.

There was a good track over to W. Granite and thence to the Pratt/Ollalie saddle. Might've started a slow, wet slide if we'd tried on the S side. Some of the north-side cornices are breaking. We stayed between these unpleasantries. Did Pratt as an afterthought. 13-15 mi. in 14hrs. with 5100' total gain.

Kaleetan and Chair from W. Granite

Al is the Under-Assistant West Coast Scenery and Ambience Manager.

Granite is the white one on the skyline. West Granite to its left. You come down the ridge to the left edge of the pic, then right along the wooded ridge to the lower-right of the pic, where you meet the trail. This is from Pratt Mt.

3 kinda weenie peaks in one day. Hey, he's a kinda weenie dog.

3 1/2 years ago, I'd feared Big Al was lamed for life, but he seems to have recovered well with rest and no surgery. Nothing improves my mood like gratitude when the important stuff comes together.

[mbravenboer]

Nice! Thanks for the update on the conditions. It's getting more interesting to me now it's safer there.

[contour5]

Looks like a nice day out. Good to see Al out and about again!

[Nancyann]

Contour 5 wrote: "it's good to see Al out and about again." And practicing his mind control tricks again!

[Frodo Barefoot]

Your dog seems to be really enjoying it. Kaleetan just looks so incredible from here!

[Gwen]

Oh John, I'm so happy Al is getting out into the hills again! We simply MUST make a hiking date!!! (Does Al want to do Glacier Peak in July?)