[ozzy]

Been a long while since I've posted a TR and I figured this one was worthy! It'd had also been a while since we had the boys together too, everything lined up and we decided on Silver Moon! I'd put this one on the backburner for long enough and wanted to do it during larch season, so it was set in stone! The boys and I soon found ourselves at the Cedar creek TH around 11pm Friday night. We pounded some brews before we got some much needed shut-eye. The morning came before we knew it and we were on the move around 830am. The plan was to hit the Moon from where the outflow of Lk 7141' intersects the Cedar ck trail, about 5 miles up the trail. The trail is pretty cruiser the whole way and you don't even feel like you're gaining much elevation if any. I think we picked up 1300ft by the time we reached the outflow, and Cedar ck falls was pretty cool to check out along the way too! The little creek, more or less, is kinda easy to miss this time of year. The GPS helped out lol. Anyhow...around 4500' we stumbled up into the woods paralleling the creek on its east side, down low there was some minor dead fall to contend with. For the most part the forest was open and easy to navigate. At 6400' we began to see the first larches and decided to take a nice break. The stoke was high and whiskey drank, cheers!

Cedar creek falls

Cedar ck burn

some color down low

these trees were quite bright

the first larches behind Hans

After the break we pushed upward and onward keeping the creek within earshot. Before we knew it, we were in a badass little larch grove around 6800'! This really felt like a special place and it stretched all the way up to the lake! It was an absolute pleasure taking our time through here! All the white rocks are awesome around here too, reminds me of the Leavenworth area. Upon reaching Lk 7141' we were all in "chill mode", and the notion of hitting the peak that day went right out the window! We had all packed extra whiskey this trip so it was a unanimous decision to just set up camp and get sloshed. It had taken us about 5hrs to get to camp at the usual pace. There was plenty of time to relax and take in some of the finest scenery a man can witness! As busy as the rest of this general area can be during larch season, it was awesome not seeing another soul the whole time out. Eventually the sun set and the stars made a grand display. Shortly after we were all sound asleep in our bivies, bellies full.

gettin up there

slabs leading up to the kingdom

now we're in it bois

fatty larches

golden land

oooowwwweeeee

lk 7141'

Bryan arriving at camp

time to celebrate

degenerates

cheers cutty

evening closing in

The next morning dawned and we got a later start than planned, we left camp around 830am. From camp we headed up towards the SE ridge of Siver Moon, travel was kinda steep at times. It was easy to avoid all the loose stuff on the way up and eventually we located the reddish gully up higher around 7400'. Climbing up the gully was a little treacherous at times but if one sticks to climbers' right, it's not too bad. At the top of the gully we exited right onto a nice ledge system where the views were stellar! This was where we all had a renewed sense of awe and the views just better and better! Fun rambling all the way up to the false summit! The views of Silverstar are top notch as well. From the false summit we got our first look at the friction slab one has to downclimb. It was definitely a little exposed and awkward. I lead the way and probably looked a bit funny. I basically "au cheval-ed" down the slab, I definitely violated that section with everything I had lol. I owe that thing dinner or something! I did make it down, in a not so graceful manner and the boys soon followed. Definitely the crux of the trip, probably class 4ish. After that it was a done deal and we found ourselves on the summit at 930am, an hour from camp. Absolutely amazing views all around and a sweet scramble too! We relished in our bliss and lounged up there for an hour or so.

morning light

looking down on the lake

the boys gettin a bit higher

Bryan in the gully

exiting the top of the gully

the lake about 1000ft below

almost to the false summit

true summit with Silverstar behind

the crux slab

summit success

snagtooth ridge and Silverstar

Silverstar

Big snagtooth massif

looking back down at the lake again

yewwww

Leaving the summit we weren't too excited to go back up the crux slab but it was way easier going up it! After that it was a nice cruise all the way back down to camp. Some nice scree skiing was had as well. I enjoyed taking in the scenery and we got back to camp in about 30mins. Chilled for about an hour, packed up camp, and were soon on our way back to the car. Time was 1230pm. Traveling back through the larch grove we took our sweet ass time to soak it all in one last time...it was hard to leave. Within a couple hours we had made it back down to the trail. 1.5hrs later we were at the car. Man what a trip! That spot is so cool and not so traveled either! One of the best larch trips I've been on, I love that area. Thanks goes out to Bryan and Hans for joining again, cheers my doods! Cheers to all my fellow NWhikers too! Great days to be alive. 16miles-ish 5200ft gain or do 1.5 days

B-dawg coming up the crux

get it

what a day!!

down the gully

amazing place

departure with the Moon above

golden as all hell

can't wait til next year lol

[Mike Collins]

When I climbed Silver Moon we rapped off the summit. Did you not use rope?

[Gimpilator]

Finally an ozzy report. I was getting the Joneses.