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Trip Report    

Alpine Scramble - Kaleetan Peak/South Route

8/13/16 - Hot & strenuous, but rewarding scramble.

  • Road suitable for all vehicles
  • All traces of snow gone.  Did South Ridge route. Climber's bootpath (actually many braided boothpaths) easy to follow.

Very hot day (high in 80's) made for multiple breaks & slower pace needed (10.5 hrs round trip), but luckily we got early start (7:30am) such that we were in shade almost entire way to Melakwa Lake, and also there was a slight breeze all day, which helped. Almost zero bugs. We took South Ridge route both up & down, which was sun-baked & blasting hot, steep climber's bootpath. Final gully on summit block has notable loose rock, but can be handled safely with attentiveness. Marvelous views from summit. A swim in the lake (or at least a bandana-bath) was needed by most members on the descent; the heat was quite exhausting. Trail is very rocky; took 2 hrs to descend from Melakwa Lake to TH.