[raising3hikers]

With the smoke rolling in this weekend, I headed over to the Olympics to try and stay out of the hazy conditions. I took the 1st ferry out of Edmonds for a day trip try of Constance. Like many others that have climbed it, the Peak just dominates the skyline to the West from the Seattle to Edmonds area. So, it's been on the to do list for a very long time. I had been intrigued by the TR's from awilson and ozzy with their tunnel creek TH approach for the climb. No road walking or biking making for a shorter day than the Dose approach. The Tunnel Cr trail is in great shape to the shelter where I'd leave the main trail and follow the well flagged climbers path to Cunningham basin. No big problems and things were easily followed up to the upper basin. Then a big scree slope to gain the pass with the 1st views over to Constance.

meadow in Cunningham basin

My original intent was to take the same route as awilson and ozzy, but I somehow managed to miss it. I wasn't even going to post a TR if I did their route but since it was different, I figured I'll post one. I guess the scree slogging put me in a zone and I went a bit too far. At the beginning of the E Direct gully, things didn't quite look like the scree description in either report. Since I knew of a route from the Olympic Mtn Guide, that it's a doable route, I didn't want to backtrack and see how things would go. There was much class 3 exposed scrambling on mostly clean rock with a little scree thrown in there but not much. Also, there was water flowing from snowfields above. I was careful not to climb anything more than class 4 in case I needed to downclimb anything but that wasn't the case. I soon was right below the S summit just a short ways from the main summit. Being so close to the ridge, I knew the standard route wasn't far away. A little more scrambling and I found a nice ramp that I eventually recognized some features of the Pk that I've seen on TR's.

looking down the E direct

Constance

I was expecting a terrible traverse or the finger traverse but didn't encounter them. My route must have bypassed both to my surprise. A fun 4th class scramble to the summit and I took a short break to the nearby mountain views. There was a register and I signed in. I had wondered if I should try to find the standard way back and take the mellow scree slopes back but not knowing the way, I retraced my route and found it to be just as easy going down as it was up.

Inner Constance from Constance

Constance glacier

The scree slogging back to Cunningham pass was annoying, I emptied my boots several times. The rest of the hike out was good while happy being able to day trip Constance

looking back up at part of the East Direct route

15.25 miles 7200' elevation gain 8hrs 15min

[Off Route Randy]

OMCG say 6 hours up from the Tarn at 5100 feet and you RT'd in 8 hours?!?! Nice job dude and thanks for bringing back some good memories on the Tunnel Creek approach we (Ozzy, Hans, and I) did. Excuse me while I go for a jog to get my ass in better shape

[puzzlr]

That's a pretty interesting route. I wonder sometimes that routes get "hardened" and other ways aren't even attempted. Good on you for striking out and following it through.

[iron]

boss mode activated. nice to get one from your personal skyline knocked off.

[ozzy]

Awesome job on the route variation. From above that route looks steep!! I love that area and approach. Congrats on another smoot and cheers man!

[NBL]

Very cool! Constance remains on my to do list and the idea of a slightly shorter day is very appealing.

[Stefan]

you are making it look easy! for others: that is not the case!

[silence]

Wow ... I never even knew about that approach. Way to go!!

[awilsondc]

Blazing fast, man... you still got it! It would seem it's fairly easy to get off route on Mount Constance. Ask me how I know. I'm glad the east direct route went for you, nicely done!

[Bluebird]

Eric I was there today! Always great to see your signature in a register!

[Sky Hiker]

[Midnight Slogger]

Inspiring work, as always. I'm loving all the Constance trip reports lately--whose going to do one for the next route?

[bobbi]

Eric, you are totally badass! how are your kids? driving, college, what? Sahale in high school?

[cascadetraverser]

Leave it to R3H to make his own route up Constance.....Very cool!