The North Cascades, Washington
The North Cascades are known as the "American Alps". They offer an abundance of great peaks with breathtaking views.
Here are some photos from some of our trips to the Cascades.
August 2007
Eldorado Peak
The group ready for the 6+ hour approach - not to mention the 5000' elevation
gain in the process. From left to right, David, Jesse, Tom, Mike, Ryan,
Big Al, Marty, Sid, Joan, Silas, Sean, and Mike.
Crossing the Cascade river to get started.
Heading up the first talus field
Getting higher up on the approach, the clouds are starting to lift from
Mount Johanessburg behind us.
Al and Joan getting the tent ready
Jesse, attending to some camp needs.
First light, from Black Diamond, not from sunshine.
Making our way up the Eldorado Glacier toward the start of the ridge.
Taking a break at the base of the ridge. Forbidden Peak is the pointed
summit in the distance toward just off center of the photo. Continue to
view our photos below to see photos of our climb there last year.
Marty, wondering if it is a bad hair day for him today.
Glacier skills practice, Big Al climbing out of the
Inspiration Glacier
Glacier skills practice, Joan ascending out of the
Inspiration Glacier
Glacier skills practice, Mike ascending out of the
Inspiration Glacier
Working our way up the ridge. In the background is Forbidden Peak
and Mt. Torment.
Tom and Mike on the final, and exposed ridge before the summit.
Ryan, David and Al a few yards before the summit.
The whole group on the summit of Eldorado peak.
The Dorado Needle as seen from Eldorado peak.
The SW Buttress starts at the toe of the lowest piece
of rock on the left side of the photo in the snow.
The NW Ridge is thesloping left side of the pointed main
summit just right of the center of the photo.
An incredible mackerel sky that evening. The view is looking toward
the Triad Col. The Triad in the peak on the left. Tomorrow some of us
are headed over the col and around Eldorado peak to get to the Dorado
Needle.
Dorado Needle, SW Buttress, August 2007
Crossing avalanche debris on the Traid Glacier
below Eldorado peak enroute to the Dorado Needle.
The Dorado Needle can be seen in the distance, it
is the spire on the right of the group of spires in the
upper part of the photo, about a 4 hour hike from here.
A close-up of the Dorado Needle group and Early Morning Spire
in the left of the photo.
Getting near the final slope to the base or the Dorado Needle.
In the background is the Triad and the glacier we descended to
get to this side of the mountain about 6 hours ago.
The final snow-slope on the way to the base of the
Dorado needle.
Climbing up the 5.7 corner pitch of the SW Buttress
Ryan leading up on the 5.7 corner pitch with his group
A closer look shows that Ryan is having a good time so far
Working our way higher up on the SW Buttress.
A few more pitches behind us on the route
The top of the SW Buttress, you can see our
approach from the Triad in the background.
Getting back to camp after a looong day out.
Mike is all packed up and to start the hike out.
MT Shuksan
Everybody taking a look at the most photographed peak in the Cascades.
Heading into Mt Shuksan, the approach today to the Fischer Chimneys
is a lot easier and flatter than the approach to Eldorado Peak three days
ago.
We ran into some typical weather for the Cascades
and have to dress appropriately.
After a four hour approach, we arrived at the Lower Curtis Glacier
and set up our tents.
Everyone was getting ready for dinner.
A look up into Hell's Highway from the Fischer Chimneys.
Unfortunately, we did not get to summit Shuskan, it will have to wait
until next year.
Silas enjoying the sun back at camp.
July 2006
Forbidden Peak
Forbidden Peak and the Boston Basin
One of the many water crossing on the three+ mile approach.
Crossing the un-named glacier.
Climbing up over the bergschrund via the rock.
Heading up the gully to gain the West Ridge.
On the West Ridge - look for the figure in the middle of the photo.
Gaining on the ridge.
The 5.6 crux of the West Ridge, Forbidden Peak
The summit of Forbidden Peak.
Mount Shuksan
Mount Shuksan from Mount Baker Ski Resort.
Mount Shuksan, the summit peaking through from camp
on the Sulphide Glacier.
Camp on the Sulphide Glacier.
Heading up in the early morning hours.
On the Sulphide Glacier, Mount Baker is in the background.
The final few moves on the ridge to the summit, Mt Shuksan.
Mount Baker is in view in the background.
The final few moves to the summit.
On the summit, 8am.
A view from the summit.
We have trips planned to the Cascades for July and August of 2008, limited
to 2 guests per guide for technical rock/ice routes, or 3 guests per guide
for glaciated routes, or less technical rock and ice routes. If you have
been thinking about climbingin the North Cascades, please give us a call
for more info.
