I don't have many nice things to say about the Snoqualmie summit trail. The first mile from Alpental is a vertical root ladder; after that, it gets steep. We were wise to pay our dues early, because after hitting the top, things just got better all day. Morning summit pano from Snoqualmie...
Start your traverse on the backside of the connecting ridge to Lundin. A handy ramp leads down from the ridge crest to easy ground. Take the ramp, and and you'll make speedy progress to the next objective,,,
Our first good views of the airy and spectacular rock fin that is Lundin...
Planning our next moves: the start of the ridge is mainly class 3-4 until a final 5th class step at the top. On a previous climb of this peak, Erick Johnson and I decided to forego the use of a rope, but today I asked my partner for a belay; I'm still getting over a fractured wrist and also experiencing the gradual onset of good sense as I enter my sixties.
Guillaume, a 5.10 veteran, makes really short work of the ridge...
...and tries a direct and exposed off-route variation near the top.
Spotted another climber on the distant, true summit. Once you make the ridge crest, it's a carry to the top.
...a fun, blocky carry...
The Snoqualmie Alps...cancel that trip to Switzerland!
A group of hikers perched on the deproach ridge to Red. Getting off Lundin is a matter of one quick rappel and a bit of class 2-3 scrambling.
Rope retrieval on the backside of Lundin...
The rap route is a series of solid bolts...
Fun ridge hopping above the Commonwealth Valley...
Last goal of the day. Halfway between Lundin and Red, I drank the last of my water; summitting Red would leave me badly parched. An hour later, as I started to drink from its cool waters, the level of Commonwealth Creek visibly lowered.
Looking back at the full ridge from the upper slopes of Red...
Summit of Red, finish to a fantastic day in the hills!