[Gimpilator]

July 13

Josh wanted Challenger so we hiked over Hannegan, down to ford the Chilliwhack, and up to Easy Ridge.  At the crest of the ridge we turned north to tag the first peak and then headed south to Easy Peak.  We camped below the first major obstacle, some steep snow.

Ruth

Copper

No Doubt

Indian

Whatcom

Easy Ridge summit

Easy Peak and snow formation

Golden Ears and Slesse

Indian, Bear, Redoubt

Sefrit

Tomyhoi, Chardonnay, Larrabee, American Border

July 14

On day two we hiked over Easy Peak and down around the Imperfect Impasse, up to Perfect Pass.  Josh stayed at the pass while I hiked up Whatcom Peak.  The south ridge is a knife-edge scramble.

Blum

Easy

going down to Imperfect Impasse bypass

Imperfect Impasse

the bypass

Josh above the dirty class 4 slabs

Perfect Pass above the mossy waterfall slabs

Whatcom

Challenger Glacier

Perfect Pass cornice

Whatcom Peak

South Whatcom

Whatcom summit panorama

Chilliwacks

Redoubt is beastly

Spickard and Moxes

Jack and Luna

Little Beaver

Brush Creek

Baker, Shuksan, Icy, Mineral, Ruth, Easy, Sefrit

Triumph and Despair

Challenger tomorrow

back down

July 15

We got up before dawn and roped up for the Challenger Glacier crossing.  Conditions were perfect.  I led across the glacier and up to the base of the summit.

summit tower

yeah!

there it is

Kelsey and Anna

Josh led the 2 pitch climb which is one vertical pitch and one easy traverse with exposure.  We ran into a couple of nice ladies who were doing the full Pickets traverse, Kelsey and Anna.

Challenger summit

Fury

Toward Crooked Thumb and Phantom

Baker and Shuksan

After our climb we moved camp back to Easy Peak.

waterfall rappel

below dirty class 4 slabs

plenty of this

July 16

I had plans to add on some more peaks, but getting honest with myself, there just wasn’t enough time or energy to add another 4k gain to the day.  I told Josh that I would make the lazy choice and we should hike out for our commitments in town the next day.

Easy Peak panorama

Southern Pickets showing

Tabor and Pioneer

Chilliwack ford

the Pickets chewed up Josh's boots

I’d like to thank Josh for his patience with me since I’m not as confident of a climber as he is.  I seriously could not have done this trip without him.

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https://www.youtube.com/c/Zogador
https://www.summitpost.org/users/gimpilator/25744
http://www.peakbagger.com/climber/ClimbListC.aspx?cid=2650&sort=elevft&u=ft&j=-1&y=9999

Keep climbing mountains and don't slip!

[-]

nice.

where was that waterfall rappel?

why didn't you take the higher route across PI?

[Gimpilator]

We ran into one group and heard of another that tried the high route and had to bail because it was out of shape, so we didn't even look at it.

The waterfall was short, but mossy and slick.  We wanted the rope going down it.  Located somewhere between the two low angle snow slopes below Perfect Pass, where the trees are between two big waterfall gullies.

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https://www.youtube.com/c/Zogador
https://www.summitpost.org/users/gimpilator/25744
http://www.peakbagger.com/climber/ClimbListC.aspx?cid=2650&sort=elevft&u=ft&j=-1&y=9999

Keep climbing mountains and don't slip!

[-]

interesting. well, you got a full(er) experience then.

[raising3hikers]

looks like you guys had a nice trip    I can't wait to get back in that area

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Eric Eames

[DIYSteve]

[Malachai Constant]

Mission creep, sometimes a good thing

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

[Bike&Trek7]

Thanks for all the pictures, and I am glad to see there's still snow on some of the routes/peaks.
It seems to be melting very fast this year.

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Old Growth is irreplaceable, I need to see it all before its gone.  Lets protect it so you can see it too.

[Brushbuffalo]

Nice work! Too bad you missed the fun of negotiating Perfect Impasse, its correct name by the way. I was with Rowland when he named it in July 1967.  But I. I. fits too, especially when the snow has melted in it as you had heard!
(Iron abbreviated it correctly).

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Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still

[silence]

       

Awesome climbing .... spectacular scenery! Thanks for sharing. Redoubt really is Beastly looking.

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PHOTOS: https://www.flickr.com/photos/33792231@N00/sets
FILMMAKING: http://www.crestpictures.com/

Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan

[Distel32]

[Popinmerf]

So, we ran into you guys on the way down and then 5 days later ran into Josh. Funny thing, his other shoes looked like his boots! 😂🤯

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Mer

[Magellan]

Good stuff bro