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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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Mon Sep 07, 2020 6:41 pm
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Wanting to do something a little more chill i chose Corteo pk as our next destination. Little did I know that this was a more serious endeavor! Bryan was joining on this trip and my buddy from work, Dylan, would be as well. Dylan had only been on 2 previous trips with me, I knew he was capable but also knew this would be pushing his limits. We all met up in Tacoma around 3am and made it to the rainy pass trailhead around 7am. We were on trail shortly after. The miles went by quickly and by 830am we took a short break at maple pass. The views from the pass were amazing and I now understand why its such a popular hike just to here! From the pass we had an 'in your face' view of the wicked looking east face of Corteo! It was a rather imposing view and this was where Dylan started questioning his decision to partake in this voyage! We assured him that it would probably be alright! I was stoked to finally get a good look at this beast and i was a bit intimidated as well!
early trail sun up first views, maple pass and Corteo above black pk boys headin up to maple pass classic view of Corteo from pass chillin out for the time being
After eating and reading the east face for a viable route we dropped about 200ft from the pass and started towards the peak. We were able to find a boot path for most of the way. Once off the beaten path we saw no one! We aimed for a little ramp of sorts at 7000ft. This gave access to the SE ridge of Corteo. We climbed the brushy ledges up to 7200-7300ft then made our way out to the east face proper. We did a rising traverse to the face, we tried to go straight out to the face at the 7200ft mark but got cliffed out. Once on the east face the climbing got a little more serious. It's pretty easy to find solid rock but alot of it is downsloping slabs covered in gravel which adds to the spice. Dylan was a bit unnerved through here but he took his time and made it up like a champ! The route was a kind of choose your own adventure up to the notch, we zigzagged most of the way up. We took a break at the notch and made the decision to drop down and do the west ledges route for Dylan's sake lol! The N ridge looked tempting though! The view from the notch is a classic north cascades view indeed!
starting the traverse to Corteo out to the south sweeet gettin closer lookin back toward the pass ooowwweeeee the ramp to gain the SE ridge, circa 7000ft almost to the fun stuff first 200ft up the ridge looked like this Dylan showing some enthusiasm lol Dylan climbing some green Bryan way down there Bryan down a bit lower the notch amidst all the downward sloping sh## view west from notch Bryan making his way closer a brief respite at the notch
After a 10min break we climbed up a little step from just south of the notch and took a ledge down onto the west face proper. The exposure is real through here for 200ft or so! We traversed ledges of the west face that led to a gully straight up to the summit a little over 100ft tall. The climbing was badass up here, class 3-4, and we soon found ourselves up top soaking in the sweeeet views!! We made the summit at 1pm. Dylan was overwhelmed rightfully so lol! The comfortable summit was rather inviting so we lounged for almost 2hrs! We were all kinda uneasy for the downclimb but the views and whiskey took our feeble minds off of that! What a stellar place! I find myself drawn to this area more and more!
downclimb on the west side from notch no fall zone from here for a couple hundred feet workin it Dylan at the bottom of summit gully views to south, smoky black pk from summit goode, Buckner, logan, and friends Bryan making the last little summit push Dylan awestruck in so many ways summit cairn reg familiars reg familiars N and highway 20 towards the east summit bum the bois takin it in the 'cheers' shot maple pass benzarino
We departed said summit around 245pm. The downclimb went pretty easy despite our initial concerns. I actually enjoyed the ascent and descent of this gnarly little peak. It was just enough spice but not recommended for beginners lol! The views definitely never disappoint in this area either. We made it off all of the sketchy terrain in about 45mins then made the traverse back towards maple pass. We arrived at the pass around 5pm stoked to have made it back to trail again! The rest of the way down was easy then about a mile from the car we sighted a bear! He was a big dude for sure! He got pretty close to the trail. We squeezed our way by then made the car around 630pm. Another great day to be alive! Cheers to 2 awesome partners and the rest of yall!
coming down the summit block easy does it exposure on the west ledges yewww almost back to the notch comin down from the notch finally off the nasty stuff off of the beast for good the pass all lit up Dylan stoked awesome peak maple pass chillness yea buddy lake Ann cotton balls the fatty bear
“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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Chief Joseph Member
Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 7676 | TRs | Pics Location: Verlot-Priest Lake |
Simply Awesome!
Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
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NBL West Seattle Based
Joined: 08 Sep 2020 Posts: 44 | TRs | Pics Location: 98126 |
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NBL
West Seattle Based
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Thu Sep 10, 2020 8:15 am
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I've never even heard of this peak! It looks like a spicy lap for sure. I frequently question my decision making skills when things get spicy like your friend Dylan but things usually work out!
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Andy D. Member
Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 209 | TRs | Pics Location: Bow, WA |
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Andy D.
Member
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Fri Sep 11, 2020 7:30 am
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Sweet! Awesome pictures, I always thought Corteo was a cool looking peak. I wouldn't have thought about coming up that east face, looks like an exciting route I came up the west ridge from Black and remember doing a super sketchy traverse across that E face in the spring on soft snow then rocketing down that deep gully on my butt Can't say I recommend that!
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