[Fletcher]

This TR is a little late, but Riley and I got Graybeard last Thursday. We were able to skin from the car, through patchy snow at first, all the way to Easy Pass and the 6800 ft bench on the NW ridge of Graybeard.

Easy Pass TH

Graybeard appearing

Golden Horn, Tower, and Hardy

Mesahchie, Cub, and Kitling

At the bench, we dropped our skis, donned crampons, and traversed firm snow over questionable runout a short distance until we could drop 150 ft or so into the small basin SW of the peak. This is where we began to witness countless avalanches coming off the north face of Arches peak throughout the day. Little Johannesburg is a fitting nickname.

Arriva and Arches

traverse

Graybeard

From the basin, we cramponed up the gully all the way to the notch right below the summit in good conditions. I was in my soft snowboard boots, so I was thankful that Riley was willing to kick good bucket steps in the mountaineering boots that he brought up.

the gully

heading up

an avalanche on Arches Peak

nearing the notch

At the notch, we encountered the once easy class 4 step, then it was a brief chossy scramble to the summit and wonderful North Cascades views.

the step

summit

Black Peak behind Fisher

Goode, Buckner, and Logan behind Arriva and Arches

Robinson, Holliway, Golden Horn, Hardy, Tower, and Silver Star among others

Ballard and Azurite among others

Glacier, Dome, and Goode - Tenpeak, West Tenpeak, Agnes, and Gunsight also visible if you look closely

Inspiration Glacier peaks

We didnt hang out too long, as we hoped we might still be early enough to enjoy some corn on the way down. We had to downclimb the upper gully before plunge stepping the lower section. The traverse back to the NW Ridge was better on our return with softer snow.

downclimbing

yeah!

We enjoyed some fun turns on the steepest of the terrain getting down from the pass, but it was mostly super slow afternoon mush. We got back to the car before 4pm. Fun peak!

Riley snowboarding below Easy Pass

~158/200

[Now I Fly]

Thanks for the report. Looks like a great day!

[jcocci]

[raising3hikers]

Nice timing to get that gully full of snow! Good work on #158

[awilsondc]

I headed up to Graybeard myself two days after Fletcher and Riley. Thanks for the steps fellas, they made my trip a lot easier! Here are a few photos from my trip.

Graybeard - 4:10am

Sunrise

Heading for the traverse

Fisher Peak

Easy Pass, New Morning Peak

Sunburst

Fisher Creek Basin

Mesahchie

Looking up at the couloir

Looking down the couloir

Summit of Graybeard, Black in Back

Selfie w/ Mesahchie

Boot shot

Black Peak

Down climbing

North face of Graybeard

Bridge close to the car

May really is a good time for this peak. The couloir was nearly completely filled in with snow, only about 15 vertical feet of that bad choss at the top. The 4th class step didn't feel very 4th class to me, more like a challenging 3rd class step. I didn't really "feel" the exposure much but it was a more difficult than typical 3rd class move IMO. It was so still and peaceful at the summit, zero wind. I stayed for nearly 2 hours. Great peak!

[ozzy]

Love this quick little peak...the views are awesome and it's an easy early season bag! We had similar conditions too with just a little less snow, I was a little surprised at how steep the gully was! Love the pics boys!