[Fletcher]

Dave, Riley and I got Silver Moon yesterday. Its kind of a tricky peak! The guys were nice enough to pick me up at my new place in Burlington and we were headed east on 20 shortly after 4am and hiking up Cedar Creek just after 6:30. The lower Cedar Creek trail has been logged out this spring, so progress was good. The air was already hot. We made good time until about 4 miles in, when the trail goes through an aspen grove. There were some impressively large bear tracks shortly thereafter.

Aspens

big bear

Roughly 5 miles in, we arrived at the unnamed creek that drains Lake 7141, and turned uphill. Travel was initially open forest, then a long talus slope, then steep open forest until the grade moderates around 5600 ft. We continued up the right side of the drainage through pleasant terrain until 6800 ft where we switched to boots and had a water break.

the only cairn we saw on route

sloggin

Silver Moon first look

It was very hot in the sun as we crossed Lake 7141. From there, it was 1000 feet to the summit. We followed Matt Burton's beta and took the obvious gully with an exit onto a ledge 3/4 of the way up. Dave had a Herculean day, and kicked steps all the way up from the lake.

a little closer

the guys

Dave kicking steps

the ledge

Above the ledge was where it got spicy. Rotten snow, often shallow over rocks and above cliffy terrain gave Riley and I pause. This was followed by airy 4th class scrambling up wet and lichen covered slabs. Dave lead through here fearlessly and assured us that things got better higher up. I was thankful for that. The terrain did eventually ease and we were right below the summit. The "crux" slab down-climb seemed easy compared to what we had just gone through. A fun knife edge ridge with a few airy 4th class moves and Silver Moon Glory was had by all.

softening snow above the ledge

bad picture of Riley contending with some wet slabs

Riley approaching crux slab and knife edge

Dave on the summit

summitshot

North Cascades

Burgundy Spire, Tower, McMillan, Golden Horn, Fury, Challenger, Luna, Holliway, and some Canadian peaks

We didnt hang long on the summit, eager to get off the thing before the snow softened any more. The "crux" slab was easier on the way back up. Then we scrambled around the south side of the ridge and found our way to the top of the gully that we exited early on our ascent. One short rappel to get down a section of rotten snow over a moat, and smooth sailing from there back to the car.

Dave coming back up the slab

a raging Cedar Falls

Back at the car at about 5:15. Fun (although hot) day in the hills! ~15 miles ~5300 ft of gain ~10:42 car to car

[Mike Collins]

Congratulations on your successful endeavor. It is a Top 200 peak and a worthy objective.

[ozzy]

Oh nice dood!! been eyeing this one for a while now, thanks for the beta I'd always wondered about the crux slab!! Thanks for the TR! Oh and Dave's beard is on point!