Calendar

Past Activity

Mt Washington- Graduation climb

  • Start date: 06/17/2017

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 06/17/2017

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

We will set up carpools the week of the climb. Recommended arrival Friday night to camp at the trailhead, with expected departure around 4:30am on Saturday morning.

Climb school graduates have priority.

Leader will touch bases with participants the week of the climb and modify the gear list according to conditions. If any avalanche conditions are discovered or expected, we will postpone the climb.

  • Event Leader: Willhite Kerry

  • Assistant Leader: Willhite Dalen

  • Event category: Climbs

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: See Trip Description

  • Rating:

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 180

  • Season: 2017

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Harness, belay device, at least 2 locking carabiners, autoblok, helmet, ice axe, crampons with boots that are appropriate for them, maybe snow shoes. 10 essentials. Food and clothing for long day in the snow. Extra room in your pack for group gear.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 10.5

  • Member Fees: 3

  • Elevation Gain: 3000

  • Non-Member Fees: 15

  • Committee: Climbs

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

After camping at the trailhead, five climbers set off at dawn on the PCT. We enjoyed a few clear miles in the morning light before the trail became covered in snow. The cairn for the climber's trail was still visible above the snow, and there we stashed our snowshoes after determining they wouldn't be necessary. Despite some blister issues, climbers continued up toward the ridge with the help of GPS navigation and ice axes. Above the tree line, we kicked steps into the firm snow. Right below the start of the route we roped up and placed two pickets for protection to cross a short, icy patch of snow with a long rocky runout.

The leader required her ice axe to make the first few moves up a mixed, icy rock section. After a brief battle with wind and rock to loosen dragging rope, the first anchor was set. All five climbers summited the mountain with three pitches of fixed lines. The group descended via two rappels and one fixed line.

Climbers plunge stepped and lowered down the snow. At the PCT juncture, we donned headlamps and lamented having to strap the unused snowshoes back onto our packs. We arrived back at the trailhead shortly after 10:40pm, greeted by cold cans of La Croix sparkling water, courtesy of Joe. Thanks to an indispensable Assistant Lead from Dalen Willhite, who helped navigate, lead the final rock pitch, assist climbers with rappels, and helped a few folks descend the snow field. An unforgettable adventure!

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 8
  • Number of spots available: 0
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Willhite, Kerry 541-231-1457 N 3
2 Signed-Up Willhite, Dalen 406-570-4514 N 3
3 Signed-Up Hlebechuk, Blaine 541-743-3182 N 15
4 Signed-Up Acosta, Varinia 971-506-2965 N 15
5 Signed-Up Henrichsen, John 541-600-0395 N 15
6 Signed-Up Quinn, Alexandra 952-913-3940 N 15
7 Signed-Up Erving, Kurtis 541-968-7089 N 15
8 Signed-Up Eastwood, Rebecca 541-556-3150 N 3
9 Signed-Up Gran, Eric 541-338-9328 N 3
10 Signed-Up Moll, Joe 541-844-6284 N 15