[Randy]

Mike Collins and I connected on a relaxed trip in the Paddy-Go-Easy Pass area on Monday fresh from our descent off Snowfield Peak the day before. I've got an affinity to this immediate area as it was one of the first hikes I had ever done on my own once at driving age. It was quite the adventure driving over from Seattle and then hiking all the way to the pass at 16! We started stirring up dust at 0810 and Mike pushed me up the trail at a steady rate gaining 2300' in the first hour. We made the pass and immediately set our sites on The Cradle.

(L to R) The Cradle and Nursery Peak

Unfortunately this meant losing 1250' down to the Meadow Creek Trail, but we had the time. Once down in the valley, at 4900', we turned right and followed the trail to about 5120' where we came to a large meadow and open slope on our left.

West Slope of The Cradle

We booted more or less straight up this slope through a mix of grass, scree, and slide alder. We eventually popped out onto the south ridge of The Cradle at about 6900'. A look over on the other side yielded a giant scree slope that we wanted nothing to do with. So, we took to the ridge which was a much more aesthetic line over mostly class 3 terrain. Maybe 150' below the summit we worked over to the east ridge and finished the ascent in just under 4 hours via a class 4-ish line, but I believe there is easier terrain to climbers right. It was quite warm on the summit, but the skies seemed especially clear.

Mike on The Cradle

Views1

Views2

From the summit we descended directly down the south ridge which involved a couple class 4 steps near the summit, but was otherwise straight forward. Not wanting to "orphan" a Backcourt Peak, we set our sites on Nursery Peak on the far end of the ridge. Unfortunately, to save time, we knew we would have to take to scree slopes. At a convenient notch, we dropped over to the east side of the ridge and made a descending traverse below cliffs where needed.

Mike and Choss

Eventually, we started to gain elevation again and went through the small pass just west of the summit. Relatively easy slopes got us up the final 400' although there was one false summit that taunted us along the way. More good views, including those over to The Cradle. We didn't know it at the time, but we shared summit entries with Phil Dickert who was part of the Challenger and Goode first ascent parties.

The Cradle From Nursery

The Cradle and Route to Nursery

Mike on Nursery

We made a descending traverse off Nursery down into the valley and the Meadow Creek Trail. After about 20 minutes of pleasant meadow hiking we were back at the spot where we had left the trail earlier in the morning.

Hiking Back

The long grunt back up to Paddy-Go-easy Pass was hot and we drank the last of our water once on top. The final descent to the car was trouble-free aside from some sore feet. The Cradle, Nursery Peak: 13.5 miles, 7500', 9 Hours

[Tom_Sjolseth]

Nice back-to-backer! Mike says his quads hurt, and I haven't heard anything like that out of Mike before, so it must have been a doozy.

[Randy]

Both Mike and I would agree that Stefan's farts slow us down.

[Tom_Sjolseth]

I'm pretty sure I take that crown. They don't call me Windy B for nothin

[ActionBetty]

Nothing like a bit of flatulence to make the day

[Tazz]

that is all I can do lately. Between work and my possible arthritic hip I am out of shape and missing out on all the good stuff! Time to quite the job, get a hip replacement and live in my car! Then I can climb again Good work again you two..oh yeah it is not work for you two it is just a walk in the park.

[Randy]

Tazz - Looking forward to having you out in the mountains soon!

[dicey]

[Tom_Sjolseth]

First it's farts, now we're fanning flames? Sounds like a dangerous combo!

[Sabahsboy]

That is one nasty looking pile of rubble. My one and only visit to Paddy Go Easy Pass revealed that mass of rock and I thought it almost out of place in the heart of AlpinoLand. this TR reveals the mount has more to offer and superb views to boot. I am exhausted just thinking about the up and up, slip and slide, a Sisyphus kind of torture of ascending. Give thos fallen arches and sore heels a rest! Or...do some more and bring back more great photos! p.s., post more photos of this exploit! Show us the view of Stuart, Rainier, maybe toward Thunder Mountain.

[Stefan]

Excellent girls. Farts rock.

[FiveNines]

[Mike Collins]

6/1/???? Martin Shetter and Dave Creedan

[FiveNines]

6/1/2013

[Jake Robinson]

Also didn't find a register on Nursery a few weeks ago but we found the original FA register on N Cradle placed by Gene and Bill Prater in 1954. Cool stuff.