Calendar

Past Activity

Mt Washington Graduation Climb

  • Start date: 06/30/2018

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 06/30/2018

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Graduates of 2018 Climb School have preference for this climb. All others will be placed on Wait List. If space is still available on June 25, the climb will be opened to those on the Wait List.

Climb Rating: I-4

We'll start hiking south on the PCT at its junction with the Old Santiam Wagon Road (East of Big Lake). We will arrive at trailhead at dusk to car-camp on Friday. Climbers also have the option of arriving at the trailhead Saturday morning. The route follows the PCT for three miles to a junction with a climber’s trail. One mile on the climber’s trail followed by 1½ mile on the North Ridge will get us to the ledge where we’ll put on harnesses and ascend with prusik loops on a fixed line. Two easier pitches beyond will get us to the summit. Descent will be via down-climbing and rappelling to the ledge, followed by descending the scree trail back to the intersection of the PCT and the climber’s trail. Expect a long day. We’ll leave the trailhead at 4:30 AM and may not return until 9:00 or 10:00 PM.

  • Event Leader: Hamilton Brian

  • Assistant Leader: Willhite Kerry

  • Event category: Climbs

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: See Trip Description

  • Rating:

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 180

  • Season: 2018

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: • Climbing Gear: Harness, helmet, belay/rappel device, 2 locking carabiners, 2 prusik loops • Backpack with extra room to carry group gear • Water: Minimum 2 liters (There is no water available at the trailhead.) • Food • Hiking boots • 10 essentials (Ask leader if you have questions about these.) • Highly recommended: Gaiters & trekking poles for descending scree slope, mosquito repellant, earplugs for sleeping at trailhead

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 10.5

  • Member Fees: 3

  • Elevation Gain: 3000

  • Non-Member Fees: 15

  • Committee: Climbs

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

We left the trailhead near Big Lake at 4:30 AM and we all reached the summit by 11:30. Kerry Edinger’s assistance was crucial by helping the six Climb School graduates with preparing for ascending roped pitches and rappelling while the leader was setting up or removing ropes higher up on the route. The weather was perfect on the summit where we stayed for an hour. We encountered 10 or 12 other climbers, including two ascending the West Ridge and one who seemed to come out of nowhere to surprise us at the summit and was free-climbing with no helmet, rope, or pack. On our descent down the west scree slope we had to watch out for rocks kicked loose by climbers on the North Ridge, including one soccer ball-sized missile that whizzed by within feet of us. We returned to the trailhead before 7:00 PM and enjoyed cold sparkling cider and berry juice before driving home.

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 9
  • Number of spots available: 0
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Hamilton, Brian 541-343-6550 N 15
2 Signed-Up Willson, Ed 541-556-5066 N 15
3 Signed-Up Oliva, Mallori 503-709-8559 N 15
4 Signed-Up Sandburg, Doug 541-632-0025 N 3
5 Signed-Up Shennum, Krista 805-428-8443 N 15
6 Signed-Up Dubrawski, Ted 310-749-0349 N 15
7 Signed-Up Khalsa, GuruParkash 505-920-2592 N 15
8 Signed-Up Khalsa, Hargobind 503-984-0589 N 15
9 Signed-Up Willhite, Kerry 541-231-1457 N 3
10 Signed-Up Martin, Christine 714-625-5385 N 15