The leader was very considerate and pleasant always with a big smile letting us enjoy and relax and he was very familiar with the very confusing trails leading us safely the entire time.
Original plan was WA Pass. Local contact advised against it saying it was a skied out zoo. Went to Camp Muir instead which was, strangely..., not a zoo. On the way down we saw no one between camp and the parking lot. Sticky snow, but lots of it.
Steep but pleasant and relatively uncrowded hike near the northwest end of Lake Cushman.
A classic alpine snow and ice couloir at the very end of its recommended season
Pleasant, sunny, warm loop around the east face of West Tiger.
Saturday, May 27, 2017: Conditions were excellent with clear sunny skies, lots of snow above the level of the ridge-walk, but snow almost entirely melted out below that point. Some mud on the steep forest waytrail that ascends directly up the side of the spur. Only a few flags of surveyor's tape and no handlines: hopefully the waytrail will remain unflagged and unlined as the snow continues to melt and folks with a wider range of skills attempt the summit (seriously, if you need this much "help," maybe you should improve your navigation and scrambling skills before attempting a wild backcountry summit). The ridge walk was pleasant and easily followed, no remaining snow. Make a careful note of where the waytrail coming up the flank of the ridge meets the ridge-walk (yes, there are ways to "flag" important route junctures without leaving plastic litter: use a distinctive natural object, take careful observations and mental notes, or just waypoint the spot in your GPS). The steep forest switchbacks were all under steep firm snow above the sidehill traverse: some of our party members used traction devices (crampons or microspikes), especially on the way down. The couloir was in great shape both for kicking steps up and glissading or plunge-stepping down. The wind-formed "vertical step" up out of the upper notch of the couloir was steep and somewhat challenging. The snow was in good condition and held steps and ice axes well, but the available routes up out of the notch were all exposed to trees or moats studded with large rocks. No difficulties beyond using requisite care. From there up to the summit the snow accepted steps well; the rock at the very top was exposed; an informal "register" is in place under a pile of rocks. The views were sensational. 9.0 hours round trip, including a half-hour lunch on the summit and multiple five-fifteen minute breaks. One party member waited in the notch, in part due to incipient leg cramps. The assistant leader kept him company (and used his phone reception to forward plans for an upcoming Rainier climb, lol!).
lots of sun, snow, and up hill climbing!
One-way traverse of Chinook and Crystal Peaks starting at Cayuse Pass and ending at Crystal Lakes trailhead.
Nice climb but the route is done for the year.
We found less snow than anticipated, and were shocked to find out it doesn't always rain on Memorial Day weekend.
This was an excellent snow scramble (with a bit of rock) to a summit with beautiful views on a beautiful day.
Winter approach and as usual, some attention getting issues getting around the Pineapple.
Students performed each of the three positions on a rope team for a Z-Pulley crevasse rescue. Direct Pull and C-Pulley demo were covered afterward in the clubhouse.
20 students and 7 instructors practiced the Z-Pulley setup with each student as Climber A, B, and C. Direct Pull and C-Pulley demo took place inside the clubhouse after that.
Stream crossing too high for safety. We still had a good trip.