[feldychi]

Hello, Any ideas for a scramble out of Upper Royal Basin for this weekend? Have only been up there once and we aren't up for a roped climb but scramble ideas are much appreciated. Thanks, Carrie

[fffej50]

you could make looped hike out of it if you wanted by going to deception basin or Goat lake ...

[meck]

Petunia Peak was a fun one (though the approach is typically from the Royal Meadow, taog ekal, or the dungeness/royal divide ridge). You could flip over the south ridge and go visit Fricaba or Hal Foss (both are good fun) or just bum around in deception basin. Mt Deception can be done from there w/o ropes, but a helmet might be a good idea. Heading up to Surprise basin is also pretty interesting. [edit] ropes were not required when I climbed Deception from that side

[feldychi]

Meck, Thanks for the suggestions. Yes, probably not up for Deception but looking at the map now looks like the ridge to the south is doable. What exactly is Surprise Basin? Can't see it on the map. Do you have any best routes up Fricaba or Hal Foss? Thanks, Carrie

[feldychi]

Thanks for the idea. We will be with friends and go in/out lower Royal Lake

[meck]

Surprise Basin is the basin between the Needles ridge and Mt Clark. Fricaba is a big pile of shale. I've typically gone up it from Deception basin (going up its SE face, generally trying to attain the ridgeline just west of the summit). I climbed Hal Foss from the pass to the NNE of its summit (just follow the ridgeline south) after coming up from Heather Creek, but you should be able to go up its NNW face along a rocky rib from Deception Basin (I came down that way).

[feldychi]

Meck, Thanks again for the info. Do you have a preferred route to get to Deception Basin? Thanks, Carrie

[Jake Robinson]

Mount Clark is the best scramble I have done out of Royal Basin. Deception Basin is worth a visit too, with possible trips up Hal Foss and Fricaba. Send me a PM if you want info on any of those.

[feldychi]

ok, thanks. I sent you a pm.