Well organized trip. The route and logistics was well prepared. The organizer show care and professionalism to all participants. Her enthusiastic was awesome! Her skills and knowledge was super!
Very hot and dry approach. Water available in a few spots up to Cutthroat pass. Dry all the way to Upper Snowy Lake where we camped. 4 hrs to lake. Golden Horn has a very simple approach. From Lake, aim for the low notch in the ridge and find a climbers path that follows the ridge line more or less all the way to the notch to the left of the summit tower. Traverse north on the west side to a gully. There are two, take the left one 200ft to the summit block. Mostly class 3 kitty litter. From the base of the summit block, travers up and right 20ft to a wide ledge. Lead up aiming for a fixed sling, and gain the big ledge below the summit mantle move. Final move takes a few thoughts to figure out. There is a rap anchor behind the summit boulder. a 1.0 and .5 C4 is all that is needed. 30m is sufficient.
Amazing scenery, but you will share it with many others. Day hike options from either lake abound.
Due to the currents, which are mild but significant, this trip requires staying on a schedule, which can be physically demanding when the wind opposes progress. The camp sites are very nice.
We climbed the Kautz Aug. 15-17. Route was in good condition, but will require increasingly complex crevasse navigation as the upper Kautz breaks up. Used Comet Falls approach, bivied at 10,500'. Running water below the Turtle around 7,400'. Found two pitches of ~AI2 separated by low angle ice steps, which we simulclimbed. Used at most six screws, including belay anchors. Once past the Kautz, the crossover to upper Nisqually was impassable. We headed for Point Success from top of Wapowety Cleaver instead. Carryover highly recommended. Other info: The fixed line down to the glacier is core shot near the bottom and showing significant wear. We opted to use our own rope, though the party behind us did not and survived to tell the tale. Tag Point Success while you're up there - we passed within a few hundred feet and I already regret not stopping by! Gear: one piolet + one tool, six screws, one picket each (used once, useless). 50m Rope
Seattle Branch midweek hike of the Maple Pass Loop with 8 hikers.
Spectacular view of the entire Olympics: Olympus, Anderson, Deception, Townsend, Constance, Cruiser (&Sawtooth Ridge), Stone, Brothers, Bretherton, Lena, The Brothers... Made it back to the trailhead with the last of the daylight, and the assistance of a glowing full moon.
Great trip! Top-notch leader, great participants. Thorough planning, and thoughtful instruction. Couldn't have been better!
One day circuit of ascending the Quien Sabe and descending the Sahale glaciers.
Nice easy scramble with great views of the North Rainier peaks.
we had a great time. fantastic day and only 2 other parties of 2 on the route.
A group of 7 had a great time on a scramble of Bryant Peak on 8/14/16. It was a beautiful day, rather warm but with an occasional cooling breeze, and we spent a nice long break on top, soaking in the views.
Great climb with scrambling, steep snow and beautiful views.
Climbed both Castle and Pinnacle Peaks with a group of 12.
We paddled a clockwise circle, out to Anderson, across to the shipwreck for lunch, then into the most East channel by the RR tracks and cut to the Nisqually river mouth and back to the opverflowing launch.
A successful carry-over climb of the West Ridge with a planned bivy on the descent. However, we were also first on scene for another party's accident.