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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
Paul invited me to join him for an ascent of Camp Robber in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. We started our hike just after 6am and used up about 12+ hours of daylight. The trail took us as far as Big Heart Lake, where we left it and traversed on some high benches below Peak 5560'.
Paul's recent photo of Camp Robber from Bald Eagle obligatory
The northeast ridge of Camp Robber presents no real difficulties, but the mega-talus was ensconced with soft and failing snow patches, which required special care. The stubborn cloud deck would not rise above 6000 feet on this day, so no summit views. But we were pleasantly surprised to find that the asshats who steal registers (only a recent WA phenomenon) have not ruined the history of this peak as of yet.
photo by Paul
Paul had an idea for a few distance and energy saving route variations for the return. The first was a high traverse on steep snow ledges above cliffs. He said he was 90 percent sure it would go. The second was to pass through the saddle west of Peak 5560' and drop directly back to Little Heart Lake. I opted to try the second variation, but not the first and told him I would meet him at that saddle.
Big Heart 5 labels Paul's high traverse (photo by Paul)
While descending the northeast ridge, at one point I decided to try a different snow patch, which looked less steep than the one we came up. I walked a few paces off our track and the next thing I knew, I was suspended in a hole of unknown depth, with arms out and one leg dangling. After extricating myself, I decided to stick to our tracks for the remainder of the descent.
descending to Little Heart
At the saddle, Paul said there was some steep snow on his route, and that he had only waited about 10 minutes for me. We descended to Little Heart Lake on more snow with surprise holes and I was glad to have Paul lead. At the lake, a light rain started, and then we had a bit of a surprise. The shore was interrupted by mossy wet cliffs. To return to the trail, we would have to walk through lake water.
photo by Paul Copper Lake falls
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Fletcher Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 1870 | TRs | Pics Location: kirkland |
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Fletcher
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Mon Jul 18, 2022 8:36 am
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I really like that area. Fond memories of backpacking to Big Heart and climbing Atrium long before I even knew that peakbagging was.
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Stefan Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001 Posts: 5085 | TRs | Pics
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Stefan
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Mon Jul 18, 2022 8:58 am
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Nice pic of the lake travel!
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raising3hikers Member
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 2343 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, Wa |
That lake travel looks cold especially on that cloudy day. Nice job guys and cool to see a register 20+ yrs old still there
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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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Tue Jul 19, 2022 7:34 am
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“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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Justus S. Member
Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 1298 | TRs | Pics Location: WA |
Nice. I did that little heart lakeshore on my CRP trip as well, but it was in late Sept and I think I stayed dry. Lake probably looses a few feet of water by then.
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