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rocknclimb Member
Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 474 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee Valley |
Courtney summit view
Finney Peak had been penciled in for the 1st week of October all year for my annual larch trip. Unfortunately
mother nature had other ideas and completely blanketed the Sawtooth Range under snow a few days before my trip. After getting some conditions update from Nancyann I decided the trip was still feasible, but would treat it as a winter climb. Recruited Neil to join so I could have someone break trail for me the two of us met at the Twisp bakery on Saturday and headed up the well maintained West Buttermilk Road to the TH. We were heading up the trail by 11:00 without another vehicle in the lot, guess the snow scared the crowds away. Made quick work for the 1st couple miles, but then found consistent snow at 5,000' which slowed us down a bit. Trail was easy to follow and is mostly cleared of downfall.
W. Buttermilk Trail Consistent snow at 5,000' Winter in the Sawtooths
Reached the larch zone around 6,000' elevation. This is also where travel became much more difficult. Every step was shin to knee deep, and we switched off breaking trail up to Fish Creek Pass.
Gold Star Larch & Star Fish Creek Pass
The ridge up Courtney had been wind swept, so we decided to run up to the summit. This was my 2nd time up there, but was a complete whiteout before. I was happy for the views. However, it took us forever to get there, so we quickly descended back to the pass.
Star from Courtney Courtney Larch & lake Wind blown ridge on Courtney Star detail Star Lake Awesome! Dusk above Star Lake
Dropped down to Star Lake Basin which has a good 2.5 feet of snow and setup camp among the larch. It was a beautiful camp with an added bonus of no people. I immediately crashed from exhaustion while Neil stayed up enjoying the star show from Star Lake.
Star Lake Basin Golden Larches
Definitely felt like winter camping with the cold snowy and long night. We got up at 7:30 with ambitious goals of bagging Finney for the day. Getting to the pass proved difficult. Deep unconsolidated snow from camp really was slowing us down. At the pass we took a look at the GPS. It was over 2.5 miles to Finney the way the crow flies still. Determined it would take a herculean effort to summit and get back to the car. Neither of us had that determination for that.
Neil waiting for the sun to hit Neil among the larch Larchy ridge walk
Decided to shoot for Star via the SW ridge. This proved to be difficult enough validating our bail on Finney. Just enough snow to cover up the boulders. It was endless post holing in the deep gaps between boulders. It was frustrating, but we managed to tag the summit 4.5 hours from the lake (crazy slow pace).
Golden views Star Lake, Courtney, Buttermilk, & Oval Finney & larch Route up Star Views for days Finney detail Finney Peak Courtney & the Cascades Oval traversing snow slopes Neil breaking trail Scrambled the snowy SW ridge line Snowy Martin, Cheops, & Switchback Star summit block Nearing the summit of Star snowy ridge walk Finney, Baldy, and N. Cascades
Took a shortcut back to the lake dropping off a steep saddle and plunge stepping down to the lake. 4.5 hours up and less than 1.5 down to camp We quickly broke camp and headed out hoping to beat dark. With our tracks on the way in we were able to cruise out from Star Lake in under 3 hours. Celebration beers were had at The Old Schoolhouse. 19.5 miles w/ 6,300' and not a person to be seen. Another great weekend 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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Waterman Member
Joined: 21 Mar 2015 Posts: 583 | TRs | Pics Location: Big Snow Quadrangle |
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Waterman
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Tue Oct 08, 2019 7:02 pm
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The old schoolhouse is a great way to finish a trip.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost
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rocknclimb Member
Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 474 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee Valley |
Jeff wrote: | Would you recommend skis, snowshoes, or just boots if you want to get to the lakes around 7000ft? |
we didnt use snowshoes and managed ok. Did use our mountaineer boots w/ gaitors. Definitely not enough cover for skis.
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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Get Out and Go Member
Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 2127 | TRs | Pics Location: Leavenworth |
Most excellent trip/photos to one of my favorite destinations, but Sheesh!, what October conditions.!
"These are the places you will find me hiding'...These are the places I will always go."
(Down in the Valley by The Head and The Heart)
"Sometimes you're happy. Sometimes you cry.
Half of me is ocean. Half of me is sky."
(Thanks, Tom Petty)
"These are the places you will find me hiding'...These are the places I will always go."
(Down in the Valley by The Head and The Heart)
"Sometimes you're happy. Sometimes you cry.
Half of me is ocean. Half of me is sky."
(Thanks, Tom Petty)
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Nancyann Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2013 Posts: 2314 | TRs | Pics Location: Sultan Basin |
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Nancyann
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Tue Oct 08, 2019 8:03 pm
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Spectacular! Glad it worked out so well for you guys. We sure could have used some of that sunshine the other day!
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ozzy The hard way
Joined: 30 Jul 2015 Posts: 475 | TRs | Pics Location: University place, wa |
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ozzy
The hard way
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Tue Oct 08, 2019 8:20 pm
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Dayum man!! Beautiful pics and ambitious endeavor!! Wish I could have joined. Alotta snow too! Cheers D-man!
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but I wanna have my kicks before the whole shithouse goes up in flames”-Mr Mojo Risin
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but I wanna have my kicks before the whole shithouse goes up in flames”-Mr Mojo Risin
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LeafEater Member
Joined: 08 Jan 2014 Posts: 31 | TRs | Pics Location: South Seattle |
If you've never done Finney it's probably a good thing you decided not to do it in those conditions. I've pretty much done all the sawtooth 8k footers and I did Finney this July. Finney was longer and tougher than I thought it would be.
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mtn.climber Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 1202 | TRs | Pics Location: The Lost Horizon |
Star and Courtney are two Bulgers that are worth repeating, anyways. Great effort.
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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rbuzby Attention Surplus
Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 1006 | TRs | Pics
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rbuzby
Attention Surplus
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Wed Oct 09, 2019 10:54 am
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Did you find a lime green colored Bic lighter up there? I think I dropped it near Courtney back in September.
Nice trip and pics. Gotta love the Chelan Sawtooth Cascades.
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mbravenboer Member
Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 1422 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
It looks icy already there! Did you have to melt snow or are still creeks running?
How was the creek crossing at the beginning for you?
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rocknclimb Member
Joined: 10 Sep 2010 Posts: 474 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee Valley |
mbravenboer wrote: | It looks icy already there! Did you have to melt snow or are still creeks running?
How was the creek crossing at the beginning for you? |
Plenty of running water until Fish Creek Pass. Had to chop at the ice in Star Lake with ice axe for water in the basin though. Creek crossing was a non issue
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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mbravenboer Member
Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 1422 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
rocknclimb wrote: | Plenty of running water until Fish Creek Pass. Had to chop at the ice in Star Lake with ice axe for water in the basin though. Creek crossing was a non issue |
Thanks That's very helpful.
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Michael Lewis Taking a nap
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 629 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood, WA (for now) |
Looks cool with the snow despite the added difficulty I wish we had that in 2015.
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mbravenboer Member
Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 1422 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
Thanks to your report, I did an overnight trip to Star Lake Thursday and Friday. I think your track and a day hiker ahead of me were the only ones. There was a lot less snow, which was helpful on the approach, but it made the rocks really bad. I was exhausted at Pt 7912 and gave up looking at the remainder of Star Peak. Thanks for the great info.
I met some hunters going on heading to Oval, apparently deer hunt started today, so be careful out there.
My photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/albums/72157711313512663
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John_B Member
Joined: 15 Nov 2014 Posts: 50 | TRs | Pics
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John_B
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Sun Oct 13, 2019 4:10 pm
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Saturday was the start of the 10 day "Modern Rifle" season. It runs until the 22nd.
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