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rocknclimb Member
Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 474 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee Valley |
Took advantage of a long weekend to head up the Entiat to check out the larches and climb some peaks. Unfortunately mother nature was not cooperating with snow and high winds forecasted for Fri - Sat. Headed down the N. Fork trail by 9:15 on Friday. The trail is in great shape considering all the burn. The first 6 miles are relatively flat, but then gains 1600' over the next 2. Didn't arrive at my camp until 1:15. The weather still was looking good so I started to head up Cardinal. Followed the larches to a large talus basin around 7000'. From there a horribly loose gully leads one up to 8300'. Turned right at the top of the gully and ascened easy class 3 to the summit. The winds and snow started just as I reached the top. Hurried back down to camp, arriving just before dark.
Larches low on Cardinal Larches and Saska Loose crappy gully Top of the gully on Cardinal Cardinal summit block Cardinal summit with Pyrmaid in the distance
The night was met w/ constant 30 mph wind gusts and snow. Decided to bag my plans on Saturday to climb Emerald & Saska due to all the fresh snow and winds up high. Instead I headed back down a couple miles to the Fern Lake junction. There are several blowdowns on this trail slowing travel a bit. When I arrived at the lake it was snowing and the wind howling. Snapped a couple pics and retreated back to camp.
Camp life Colors on the way to Fern Lake Wintery scene Saska Pass Fern Lake scene Fern Lake Sunshine at Fern Lake
After another long 12 hours in the tent I awoke to a near perfect morning. Decided to head over Saska Pass to make an attempt at Pinnacle. Crossed over the pass and lost 1600' to the Snow Brushy Creek trail. The trails are all but gone after crossing Saska Pass due to all the recent fires up there. After crossing the creek I made an ascending traverse to a broad gully system under Borealis Pass. The route was dry to the pass, and the larches on the way were prime.
Clark Basin below Borealis Pass
After the pass I headed up the seemingly endless ridge scramble. Nothing harder than class 2, but the snow made for slow and slick travel.
Borealis Pass Fernow group framed by larch Larches en route to Saska Pass Pinnacle Mtn Pinnacle summit block Cardinal Looking down at Borealis Pass Spectale Butte, Glacier, and Maude Pinnacle summit views Ramparts Emerald and Saska Entiats Fernow group N. Cascades
Made the slog back down to the creek, up Saska Pass, then down to camp. 7 hours round trip. The thoughts of cold beer and hot pizza won over the idea of climbing on Monday so I headed out. The road had several new blowdowns since Friday, but thankfully the FS or random person had made it passable. 41 miles. Another great time in the mountains!!!
When asked "Why do you climb"? Simply respond "Why don't you"?
When asked "Why do you climb"? Simply respond "Why don't you"?
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Roly Poly Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2013 Posts: 711 | TRs | Pics
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Gorgeous scenery with the larches.
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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1323 | TRs | Pics
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Looks pretty awesome man! Love the blue skies, white snow, and golden larches!
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wildernessed viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
Nice !
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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fourteen410 Member
Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 2622 | TRs | Pics
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RichP Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 5628 | TRs | Pics Location: here |
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RichP
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Tue Oct 10, 2017 9:12 pm
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The Entiat is getting some well deserved love this year. How did your tarp tent do in the wind?
12 hours in the tent..that's the only sucky part of fall hiking.
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rocknclimb Member
Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 474 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee Valley |
The double rainbow tarp tent holds up surprisingly well in high winds. Just be sure to enforce it with trekking poles. RichP wrote: | 12 hours in the tent..that's the only sucky part of fall hiking. |
Absolutely, but well worth it
When asked "Why do you climb"? Simply respond "Why don't you"?
When asked "Why do you climb"? Simply respond "Why don't you"?
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rubywrangler Member
Joined: 04 Aug 2015 Posts: 509 | TRs | Pics
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Love this!
Larches and Saska
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Sallie4jo Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 220 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
Wow....have wanted to get back out there..that country is so breathtaking. How were the areas where the recent fires were? Love the saska pass and emerald park area lots..and very fond memories of Borialis pass. Thanks for the show...beautiful!
I choose to live in a landscape of hope.
Terry Tempest Williams
I choose to live in a landscape of hope.
Terry Tempest Williams
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Fletcher Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 1870 | TRs | Pics Location: kirkland |
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Fletcher
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Tue Oct 10, 2017 11:46 pm
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Dude! You scored, I have camped at that spot twice to get all those peaks but never in Larch season. Always wanted to get in there in the fall. I think that basin below Cardinal is one of the coolest larchy places in the range. Good job!
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Bootpathguy Member
Joined: 18 Jun 2015 Posts: 1787 | TRs | Pics Location: United States |
rocknclimb wrote: | Larches and Saska |
Agree. Love this image. Beautiful!
Sounds like a wonderful time.
Thanks for sharing
Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
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neek Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 2329 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Wed Oct 11, 2017 9:21 am
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Lovely despite the harsh conditions. Compare one of your shots to a nearly identical one I took a few weeks prior:
your pic mine from 9/27
rocknclimb wrote: | hot pizza |
On your left please!
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mtn.climber Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 1202 | TRs | Pics Location: The Lost Horizon |
Glad you got in there this season. Now you can go back next year and finish Saska and Emerald.
Reach for the sky, cuz tomorrow may never come.
Live the life of love. Love the life you live.
Reach for the sky, cuz tomorrow may never come.
Live the life of love. Love the life you live.
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cascadetraverser Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 1407 | TRs | Pics
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Beautiful!! How far does the burn extend up the trail to the junction with fern lake?
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rocknclimb Member
Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 474 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee Valley |
cascadetraverser wrote: | Beautiful!! How far does the burn extend up the trail to the junction with fern lake? |
Only the first couple miles are burned.
When asked "Why do you climb"? Simply respond "Why don't you"?
When asked "Why do you climb"? Simply respond "Why don't you"?
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