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Winter Scramble - Mount Ararat (winter)

Party of 7 successfully summit-ed Ararat Mountain (MRNP) on 1/22/17.

Rodica Manole Rodica Manole
January 22, 2017
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • As a party of 7 we did summit Ararat Mountain on Sunday, 1/22/17 via Kautz Creek TH . We left TH at 7:40 AM, with crampons / microspikes on given the unexpected black ice ring  built up in the parking lot. Followed a reasonable beaten trail until around 4,000 ft and from there breaking trail was on us. The initial plan was to do the NE side-hill traverse at 5,600 ft followed by  a turn due west and ascend of gentle slope to Ararat’s summit at 6,010 ft. About half way through the traverse, given its steepness, hard snow pack and group comfort level, we decided to play it safe, backtracked our steps for about 50 ft and chosen to climb the slope straight up (due NW), towards our objective. We summit-ed around 1:00 PM.

Temperature was around 34 F when we left TH and we didn't expect to find black ice in the parking lot. We had light rain low on the trail, followed by snow up high, no views on our way up to the summit but as soon as we started our descent, Sun decided to show up and unfold beautiful views around us. No issues crossing  the creek -- all three bridges were covered with some snow we  walked on with traction devices. Elevation gained 4,000 + ft in 12 miles.