[Now I Fly]

I'd had my eye on this ridge for a few years. After last week's trip along the Stafford Lookout ridge, I decided to give this route a try.

It turned out to be another fun, athletic, alpine adventure, with a bit of class 2+, and some "no falls" traveling on firm snow with long runouts. Route finding puzzles were many, but only needed to drop more than one hundred feet off the ridge a few times. That said there are plenty of up and downs, and several high points to tag. The North Fork Teanaway Rd. is slowly melting out and I was able to start a bit closer to the Stafford Creek Rd. than last week. That was nice. Made good time to the Standup Creek Road. From there the base of the ridge can be seen and easily accessed. And yes, the 'Ticks' are out!!!!

I took the left skyline here. Worked well.

First views of the upper ridge. Earl on the left

Found a nice spot for camp.

Woke up to very firm snow. Crampons from the start!

The ridge turns to the left up ahead, then on to the highpoint, Point 5459.

= =

I still need to get over to the Three Brothers!

With prefect traveling snow I made my way down to the Startup Creek trail. The trail crosses the creek a few times and that can be a pain, but not too bad.

A few stats off Strava, 14.50 Miles 6,231 Elevation Gain 8.5 hours Moving Time 2 Ticks found. No blood loss! The End.