Mt. Rainier, Emmons Glacier 6/21/14

 Andrew, David S, David F, Dan, Chris, Pete and Doug ready to head up the mountain
 On the Inter Glacier
 Our first glimpse of the mountain as we climbed out of the mist
 Sunrise from 11,500' on the Emmons Glacier
 The guys taking a break with Little Tahoma in the background
 Back at it, one step at a time
The huge snow and ice filled crater on top of Mt. Rainier
David S, Dan, Andrew, Chris and Doug on the summit
Almost back down to Camp Schurman

Mt. St. Helens, Monitor Ridge 6/14/14

A couple of father/son teams climbed Mt. St. Helens on Father's Day weekend.
Breaking out above the low clouds on the summer route.
 Joe, Pete, David and Todd at the 8,365' crater rim.
Getting back down the fast way!

Mt. Stuart 6/1/14


Mt. Stuart is the 7th highest peak in Washington.  It is also the largest mass of exposed granite in the lower 48.  There are numerous incredible hikes and climbs all over the Stuart Range.  This time the guys would be going for the highest one.
Mt. Stuart as seen from Longs Pass.  They would be climbing Cascadian Couloir the next day.  It starts out on the right side of the picture, angling up to the left.
Taking a break at Longs Pass.  Some huge cornices formed there last winter.
The destruction caused by the cornices breaking off in the spring!
Ron and Mark going by a part of the cornice that flattened the trees.
Enjoying a campfire down at Ingalls Creek.
Just above Cascadian Couloir.
The summit as seen from the false summit.
Climbing some steep snow near the summit.
Andrew, Mark, Dennis, David and Ron on top of 9,415' Mt. Stuart.
 Do you ever get the feeling that you are being watched?
 Crossing Ingalls Creek and heading back up to Longs Pass.
Looking back at what they climbed.  It's a good feeling.

A great mountain, sunshine, good snow conditions and good friends!

Enchantment Peak 5/10/14

The weather man convinced us to change plans again this weekend.  Instead of a 2 day climb of Mt. Baker, we opted for another day trip into the Enchantments.  We wanted to climb a couple of peaks, but ended up just climbing Enchantment Peak.  
Jim on a footbridge over Mountaineer Creek
 Taking the shortcut across frozen Colchuck Lake.  Dragontail Peak is in the center.  We would be going up Aasgard Pass on the left.
 Looking down on Colchuck Lake with Cashmere Mountain in the background on the right.
 Doug down in a moat that was created by strong winds
 The Black Dwarves and Enchantment Peaks
 Mark climbing the last few feet
 David having some fun at 8520'
Mark and Doug
Mark and David
  Mark skiing from Enchantment Peak down to Colchuck Lake.

Descending Aasgard Pass is usually something that you try to forget.  However, due to the soft snow, we were able to enjoy going straight down in 1/3 the normal time.  We had our usual BBQ in the parking lot and drove home tired and smiling.

Colchuck Peak 5/3/14

Our plan for the weekend was to climb Mt. Baker, but the forecast was no good.  We looked at Mt. Jefferson in Oregon, but that forecast was bad too.  The Saturday forecast for the Enchantments was good enough, so a bunch of the guys headed for Colchuck Peak.
 Going by a frozen "waterfall" in the woods.
 Moving over some granite slabs just below the lake.
One nice thing about going this time of year is being able to take the shortcut across Colchuck Lake.  Dragontail Peak is on the left and Colchuck Peak is on the right.  The route would be on the Colchuck Glacier in between them.
 Taking a break above the lake.
 They started out way down in the valley a few hours before.
 Heading up the glacier.
 The last few steps to the 8,705' summit.
Dan, Ron, Mark, David F, Pete and David S on the windy mountaintop.

Copper Creek Hut 2/28/14

We did something different for our first outing of the year.  We skied and snowshoed 4 miles in to a hut.  The huts are heated, have filtered water, kitchens, sleep pads and more.  You don't need to bring much in your packs.
 Mark, Scott, Dan, Mark, Chris, Dave, Andrew, Kyle and Doug
  Taking a break
 Copper Creek Hut
 Relaxing by the propane stove
Master Chef Scott cooking up a big tender roast, potato casserole, peas and onions!
The west side of Mt. Rainier as seen from a peak near the hut.
What a great sunset!

Lake Stuart and Horseshoe Lake 10/26/13

A bunch of the guys took advantage of another great forecast and went for a hike up to Lake Stuart and Horseshoe Lake.  They covered about 15 miles and 4,000 vertical feet.
 Ron, David F, Dennis, Dan, Pete, Jim, Todd and (David S)
Lake Stuart
The north side of Mt. Stuart
 Horseshoe Lake
So many beautiful places to see......so little time!