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Past Activity

Mt. Washington Graduation

  • Start date: 06/29/2014

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 06/29/2014

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Graduation Climb: Open to 2014 Climb School students. Others will be on waiting list until one week before climb date.

Arrive at trailhead on Saturday by dusk for car-camping. Alpine start before dawn at the PCT junction with the Old Santiam Wagon Road (East of Big Lake). Route follows the PCT for three miles to junction with 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 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.

  • Event Leader: Hamilton Brian

  • Assistant Leader: Ellis Alexander

  • Event category: Climbs

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: South Eugene High School, 19th & Patterson

  • Rating:

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 180

  • Season: 2014

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: ----Scroll down to see entire list--- Climbing gear: harness, helmet, belay/rappel device (ATC), 2 locking carabiners, 2 prusik loops Food: Food for all day (quick breakfast, lunch on the climb, late afternoon snack), high-energy snacks, and emergency food Water - minimum 2 liters Hiking boots, cold- and wet-weather clothing; be prepared for all conditions Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses Misc. Gear: map & compass; headlamp with extra batteries; emergency gear (1st aid, whistle, etc.), mosquito repellant Cash for climb fee & ride cost if you’re a passenger Optional gear: Gaiters & trekking poles for "scree-skiing", leather rappel gloves, ear plugs for sleeping close to rowdy campsites, extra clothes to leave in vehicle for ride home

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 10.5

  • Member Fees: 3

  • Elevation Gain: 3000

  • Non-Member Fees: 15

  • Committee: Climbs

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

The night before the climb, we arrived at the trailhead and were met by wind, threat of rain, noisy offroad vehicles, and the mosquito welcoming committee. In the morning, we got ready quietly to avoid waking the mosquitoes, started hiking at 5:20, and waded through a bumper crop of bear grass along the trail. Since it was early in the season, there was still plenty of snow to obscure the upper half of the climber's trail and block the usual route to the saddle below the rappel station. On the other hand, it made for great plunge-stepping and glissading on our descent down the west face of the mountain which is much safer than scree-skiing and getting clobbered with rocks from above. We followed some footprints and red flagging over the snow on our ascent to the north ridge until we realized that red flagging doesn't necessarily mark the trail; it just means that someone else wanted to be sure they didn't get lost on their way back. We all reached the summit by 1:50. The clouds had cleared, the wind died down, and it turned out to be a beautiful day. Once back on the Pacific Crest Trail, we hurried in an attempt to outrace mosquitoes and got back to the trailhead by 7:30.

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 8
  • Number of spots available: 2
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Hamilton, Brian 541-343-6550 N 15
2 Signed-Up Ellis, Alexander 917-880-6744 N 15
3 Signed-Up Woodard, Jim 541-913-8565 N 15
4 Signed-Up Eastwood, Rebecca 541-556-3150 N 3
5 Signed-Up Prime, Shawn 541-913-5856 N 15
6 Signed-Up Rogers, Jennifer 906-630-5770 N 15