Winter Scramble - Cowlitz Gap & Rocks (winter)

Meet at Longmire at 8:30 AM. We can consolidate cars and travel together to the Paradise parking lot.

This scramble will be ideal for folks who are just beginning the transition from fall hiking to winter scrambling, or perhaps people who want to try out their first winter scramble. Our pace will be the slow side of moderate (around 800-1000' of gain per hour) depending on snow conditions, with short (<5 minutes) breaks hourly to adjust clothes, get food, water, etc. The goal is to keep the pace comfortable, where we don't sweat too much, but also don't get cold from lack of movement. There should be time to practice a variety winter travel skills. In the past, I have experienced waist-deep unconsolidated snow and steep ice that required crampons all in the same trip.

A detailed email will be sent out a few days prior to the trip. The Longmire gate should be open from 9-4, but we will watch the status and weather conditions leading up to the trip. The location may change based on conditions.