[Fletcher]

Got out with the buddies and hiked up Mount David yesterday. Dave, Reed, Jake R, and I met up early and made our way over Stevens Pass Sunday morning in a steady drizzle. The rain tapered off as we neared Coles Corner and made our way to the White River Trailhead. We made quick work of the tight switchbacks up to the ridge at 5200 ft. Here, we began hitting intermittent snow and came across some very large and fresh cougar tracks. We switched to boots and gaiters as we lost the trail under a few feet of snow on northern aspects.

summit in sight

Wittier and others

We had a mile or two of fairly difficult travel in post-holing conditions (sometimes knee deep) until the trail goes over a notch and returns to the southern aspects. We were on the summit soon after that.

Dave and Reed nearing the summit

view West with Sloan

view north

summitshot

We hung out on top for 45 minutes, then began our descent.

Dave coming down

7FJ and Maude

Dave and Reed post-holing below the summit

dirty face

Fun hike, we made it back to the car before needing to break out the headlamps. Mount David marked my halfway point on the WA P2K List. 72/144

[olderthanIusedtobe]

[RichP]

Cool. I'm loosely working on that list too. Lots of variety there.

[kbatku]

Dis the road get fixed or does it still dead end at the Christian camp?

[olderthanIusedtobe]

[Jake Robinson]

Road is in great shape all the way to the TH. Major kudos to Dave, who did this the day after running a marathon!

Nearing the ridge

Near snowline

Fletcher breaking trail

Lost the trail near here

Final bit

Fletcher and Reed on top

Our tracks down there somewhere

Sloan

Reed

Reed

Heading down with Whittier

Dirtyface and Lake Wenatchee

Reed and Dave

Fletcher and Reed postholing

Dave postholing

Luahna, Clark, Buck, Seven Fingered Jack, Maude

Postholing our way out with Chiwaukums and Stuart beyond.

[Nancyann]

Nice photos, both of you. I recognize many of the photo locations, but not the summit, because I chickened out right about where Fletcher’s third picture was taken. (Dave and Reed nearing the summit.) I never should have looked down that gully.

[Bluebird]

I enjoyed this hike/scramble (kinda between the two?) although it was summer... the day when my party rescued and evacuated solo hiker in anaphylaxis from the lower reaches of the trail. Luckily he was in good enough condition to hike out after we gave him benadryl and a shot of epi, drove him to the lake wenatchee fire station and called 911. They were there to help in under 2 minutes! We returned and started the hike late, sunset on the ridge was quite beautiful <3 It looks very different in the snow! There are enough steep drop offs to make it exciting!

[Nancyann]

That was one very lucky hiker that you helped! I always carry Benadryl, but never thought about bringing epi. Good for you and your party for being so well-prepared!

[colkool76]

Do I see a hyperlite backpack in there? I've been considering buying one! Any comments on it?

[Fletcher]

Yeah, I can comment on it. I’ve been using it as my primary pack for pretty much every trip I’ve done for the past 2 years. It’s mostly great. I managed to rip a hole in it on its first ever trip. Judging by how pricey it was and the durability concerns, I tried to return it to 2nd Ascent, but they wouldn’t let me return it because I was only a few days beyond their 6 week return policy (or whatever it was). That really pissed me off and I haven’t given 2nd Ascent a penny of my money since /rant. So I was stuck with the thing and it’s actually held up surprisingly well since then. It’s the comfiest pack I’ve ever owned, I love the way it almost feels like it’s an extension of my body. It hauls gear great. The only thing that I find lacking with it is the lack of a separate, smaller zipper pocket for some key items like keys, my phone, headlamp, etc etc. But I get that that’s part of the deal, it’s minimalist.

[Blowdown]

[Brushbuffalo]

Fun trip, even more special in this season. I have camped in fall ( but earlier) on the flat slab where the lookout was, the second time with my brother David. Memorable time. Bluebird, you are to be commended for your party's care for a fellow hiker in need.

[gb]

Ambitious hike for this late in the year. I only did David one time and it was also November, November 14, 1986. I remember the date because it was the latest I've ever seen the Cascades entirely snow free. It was very surprising. Great vistas from that peak.

[Mikey]

Nancyann: A prescription is required to purchase epinephrine or an EpiPen. EpiPen is an epinephrine auto-injector. Years ago I went into Bartell Drugs in Seattle to get an EpiPen for my first aid kit and was told I had to have a prescription.