Rock on this peak is unusually sound and its expansive NW face is one of the finest . In great weather we climbed a Cascade classic, a route that just a few months ago was unthinkable! The We awoke the next morning around 4 am and packed up. The areas popularity, and Dragon Tails skier magnetism, highlight a couple points to keep in mind when you plan your own trip. Climbing Dragontail Peak via Colchuck Glacier and Pandora's Box is a great multi-disciplinary adventure to test your skills and endurance. Ski all the lines like this in Colorado, and the addiction would barely peak. I had vowed not to Just outside of Leavenworth we set up our tents at 8 mile campground and planned the next day. Washington Scrambles Challenge. The name Dragontail comes from the jagged ridge of rock needles on the thin ridge crest SW of the summit resembling a long spiny trail of a dragon. This was my favorite section of the entire climb. We had finished the route! A few hop turns and we were below the entrance cliff to TC's. Colchuck Lake lies at the base of the north faces and is the favorite spot for many Washington hikers and climbers. From the European Alps to the far more formidable Issy Alps, we had a great year. Seattle, WA 98104. West northwest wind between 9 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. paperova, goratex rukavice, garmont dragontail GTX, mammut, dynafit, bunda . The choice depends on the climbing route desired. Your previous content has been restored. The helicopter spotted a body in the snow at the base of Triple Couloirs, north of Dragontail Peak, around 11:15 a.m., deputies said, though the helicopter could not land because of strong winds. Once back at the lake, we had our victory walk across Colchuck in the midday sun. As always, read the avalanche and weather forecasts before you go. At the transition between the second and third couloirs we once again roped up and I took the lead. Once at the notch, continue across a short ways and turn right. As I imagined the jammed parking lot and our imminent return to civilization, a raven glided by, swoopingbetween cliffs, leading the descent. Some of us had to work this weekend, so thanks for the vicarious dose of alpine life. Yes, walking was definitely faster and saner yesterday. Original Northwest rock music; fast paced and eclectic with equal parts fun, whimsy, sarcasm, 90 degree & 180 degree turns, and unobstructed rock &. I traverse right for a while, and then left for a really long time, linking ledges all the way to where the Serpentine Arete joined Backbone Ridge. Routefinding from Aasgard Pass can be tricky. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "skidragontailpeak" Flickr tag. It was great watching you guys drop in (and then see you each in one piece coming out of the hidden couloir). There are two trailheads used to climb Dragontail. Review, Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. Looking forward to many more together . Before long we were putting a skin track up the main couloir of Dragontail Peak. Sure, email them to me: touring29@gmail.com. For example, the Colchuck Lake was right beneath us, straight down the couloir. Looking back we would occasionally see our tracks now in the shade. Our route out was brutal as we battled the thick forests. Eventually, the gully led us back to the ridge crest. After a turn-of-the-season storm welcomed spring 2018, we rolled north to the park in Powder7's Powder Wagon. Camp as near the south end as possible. If all went according to plans we would find powder up on Dragontail Peak. The snow bypass is a great alternative if the runnels are thin. Climb either steep talus or snow depending on the time of year up the left side of the glacier to avoid any crevasses closer to the northeast face of Colchuck Peak. Guided climbs of Dragontail Peak in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness offered by Northwest Mountain School and IMFGA guides John and Olivia Race. Although three straight days of sun at this time of year might be an anomaly . In this snow condition, the pickets were mostly useless. There is an easy walkup route on the south side of the peak. Got to be some sort of record. When the snow turned surfy, I opened the throttle a bitbefore banking a hard left into a safe zone. Fortunately we still had a few hours of daylight and headlamps in our backpacks. Close When things got technical, we pulled out the rope and rack and I took the lead. Dragontail Peak. But use cautionserious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass. In the second couloir, the snow quality continued to deteriorate. 1 754 K 1 790 K Thanks for the pix guys. From here, the three couloirs were plainly visible. This post may contain affiliate links. Trip: Dragontail Peak TC Ski - Triple Couloirs: Option #3 Date: 3/21/2010 Trip Report: I've had my eye on the N. Face of Dragontail all season as it relates to Triple Couloirs. The best times to visit this trail are . (363), Climber's Log Entries SOLD JUN 14, 2022. Still, there was one tough looking chimney ahead of us. Did you know WTA has a mobile app? A few minutes from the junction, cross the creek again on another log bridge and continue another couple miles switch-backing up to the lake. On March 28, Thurmer's wife called 911 and said she was concerned because she . After rounding the lake, we started heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Glacier Moraine. But whatever, it's not like waiting in line on Outer Space. But despite notoriety, Dragon Tail makes you feel tiny. Andy knew the peak's 15 steep pitches and she wanted to tackle them again. At Colchuck Lake, an easy going 1.1 miles travels the east and south shores. In general the area was stacked with enough mountains to keep one busy for a lifetime. updates, images, or resources. Some of the text below was written by Bob. That is one of the things I love about alpine climbing: analyzing what improvements are needed for a goal, putting in the work, and reaping the benefits. There are campsites on both the west side and the south end of the lake. There were a sprinkling of mid 5th moves. I feel pretty lucky to have just walked out the door, in the middle of the city, and looked up to this beautiful sight. At this time, Dan Helmstadtler popped up on the summit with intentions to ski TC's as well. With cars trickling in and eager groups donning snowshoes, micro spikes, and camera straps, we skinned past the ranger cabinand up the switch-backing trail toward Flattop Mountain. The surroundings mark one of the states most iconic places. Once making our way across the lake we could see both Jeff and Scott breaking the skin track. Elevation Gain. Thank you for reading this trip on Dragontail Peak. Ed skiing down the Colchuck couloir after summiting Dragontail Peak, WA North was the Glacier Peak Wilderness area and to the the Northeast was the Entiat area. As we were near the top, we heard and saw a helicopter approaching. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a608bc810922762285697226a9dd15f7" );document.getElementById("e87bcfad71").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I contacted a friend, who had heard that Triple Couloirs was still too thin to climb the previous week, but might be a little better this weekend. Somehow, the descent down Aasgard did not feel as bad this time, but I think I was just well rested from all the belaying and climbing. Over the weekend, Jacob and I met up to climb Serpentine Arete, a long 2000 ft moderate route up the huge, complex north face of Dragontail Peak in the Enchantments. The hulking mountain was given its name in 1955 after climbers on an adjacent peak remarked that its rock formations resembled a "dragon's tail". It was time to head back to the car as we skinned across Colchuck Lake. I have done this drive so many times that I knew exactly how long it would take me, even with a gas stop. Dragontail Peak, also known as Dragon Tail, is a mountain in the Stuart Range, in Chelan County, Washington.While climbing an adjacent peak, Lex Maxwell, Bob McCall, and Bill Prater remarked that the needles on the crest, southwest of the summit, resembled a "dragon tail". 7601 (Eightmile Road), eight miles from Leavenworth. Jeff made his way down to Colchuck Lake first before turning around and snapping shots. Skiing big-mountain lines got you thinking about badass skiers? Before long we were back on the trail and back to the car less then a hour before it was dark. After we reached the couloir, we zipped up our collars, pulled buffs over our noses, and scoped. From here, the three couloirs were plainly visible. The Dragontail Mountains are part of the Columbia Plateau, which is a large area of basaltic lava flows in the western United States. From the Mountaineer Creek trailhead at the end of the Eightmile Road, begin hiking up the trail towards Stuart and Colchuck Lakes. Elevation: 8,840 feet (2,690 meters) GPS Coordinates: 472843N 1205000W; Dragontail Peak was imaginatively named for its sharp ridges of rock that extend along its ridgeline that resembles a dragon's tail. Display as a link instead, goratex rukavice, garmont dragontail GTX, mammut, dynafit, bunda, leginy Kari Traa, Spyder . I met up with Dan in Bellevue and we made the long drive towards Icicle Creek. Mountaineers Books is a registered trademark of The Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This page was transferred to me by Bob Bolton. Yes, I agree to receive newsletters from Bergfreunde GmbH by email comprising the Alpinetrek Newsletter (product information, promotions) and Alpinetrek Deals (special offers) for Finally, we crested the couloir and got a view of the summit. Talking to Jacob, we decided to go into Colchuck Lake, take a look at Triple Couloirs, and climb the easier North Buttress Couloir of Colchuck as a backup. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad55053c3c9eef4078fd4cce80ff31d1" );document.getElementById("e87bcfad71").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The men's Dragontail Tech GTX by GARMONT is a technical, precise and lightweight approach shoe for the skilled consumer looking for the ultimate in technology with high performance. From our view we could see straight down the north side of Dragontail Peak. Park at the end of the road and begin hiking on the Mt. Really, there are only like 4 pitches (pitches 3-6) that most would need to pitch out. Kyle was our mixed climbing rope gun! Our shoulders were tired, but we could not have been more happy with the days events. The trail is steep and reaches Colchuck Lake via switchbacks in 1,100 feet of elevation gain and 1.6 miles. A "wrinkle in the granite," Jeff called it. Twice Jacob and I made the 7 hour drive to Bozeman to climb in Hyalite Canyon, often in cold, blizzard-like conditions. Triple Couloirs 4/1/2017. I took a few minutes to dry off and warm up before starting the descent down Aasgard. GPS Waypoints - Hover or click to see name and lat/long Peaks: climbed . Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Cross Mountaineer Creek on a good foot bridge and reach the signed junction after a couple miles. The weather was calm and mild, so it was a pleasant evening. Temperatures will be well below freezing (max -10C on Wed afternoon, min -17C on Sun night). Thank you! The summit ridge extends about 1/2 mile and includes several summit towers. Challenges featuring Dragontail Peak. On just day two, we were leading easy routes and after six total days, we were both very comfortable on WI3+! Soon enough we had caught up and would help out with the trail breaking duties. A number of fee forest camps can be found along the Icicle Creek road near the trailheads. I managed to catch him right before he went the wrong (skiers left) way down Aasgard. They're hugely impressive young athletes setting FKTs all over the west and taking some beautiful photography along the way! Ascend southeast on a broad, steep slope to Aasgard Pass. Kyle was able to get solid sticks in the duff (great lead Kyle! The original plan was to meet up with Jeff and Scott at there base camp at the lake but we were late so it was going to be a game of catch up. Print/PDF map. Log in and send us Climbing gear and expertise required. Continue 3.8 miles to the trailhead (3,400 ft). Climbing gear and expertise required. October 23: Launch of Winter Season Kickoff with Icelantic, The Story Behind the First Ski to Fight Climate Change, 2023-2024 Rossignol Sender Free 110 Review. We were now at the base of the crux 5.8 finger crack. To get there, Jacob had to simul climb beneath me some, making for an 80m pitch or so. We checked radios, strategized, and reveled the anticipation. For the Colchuck Lake approach, continue up the Icicle Creek road and turn left on road no. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. The malts provide a smooth mouthfeel while letting the character of the hops shine through. Yellow = Dragontail Peak, Triple Couloirs (III+ WI3 M3), Red = Dragontail Peak, Gerber-Sink (IV WI3+ M4), Green = Colchuck Peak, North Buttress Couoir (II). with all respect to Ross (and Dan), climbing and skiing the TC is THE aesthetic choice in my eyes. We had made the right call to head out to Dragontail Peak. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? The summit ridge extends about 1/2 mile and includes several summit towers. @heinelogan or @samchaneles ? We discussed our options and agreed that we would still try the route, but likely take an easier, more circuitous bypass of the runnels. Emerge onto the large talus field and begin ascending towards Aasgard Pass. While I love powder I wasnt interested in hiking up a 4000 foot south facing avalanche path. Once in the couloir, we enjoyed a great ski down to near the Colchuck-Dragontail Col. Standard alpine equipment including crampons. The I am going to need to work hard to find something more technical than this. Colchuck Lake and Lake Stuart Trail offer the most direct way to . Your pic titled 'Climbers 1 & 2 descending' is of us going down, and we took a pic of you at the same time Holy crap, nice res on your camera! Baker (30+ ascents via 5 routes, ski descent) Mt. Gain: 7000' ish (cliffs really throw off the gps) Elapsed Time: 13:38. 17 may 2021 Ontological Obscurity @12,728' solo ski from Taos Ski Valley, NM. Located in Rocky Mountain National Park near popular Bear Lake, the line cuts and twists through raw cliffs and spires, dropping more than 1,600 vertical feet from the shoulder of Flattop Mountain. Garmont Dragontail Tech GTX - Men's and other great waterproof shoes and boots for approach, hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering at BackcountryGear.com. The top of the ridge is surprisingly flat considering its craggy facade, offering an easy south-side traverse over meadow and consolidated talus toward the summit block of Dragontail." Submit one here . 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 To the southwest you could see Mount Stuart and Sherpa Peak. In hindsight, we should have gone straight for the SOS button on Jacobs inReach, but I still think it is ridiculous that the sheriff did not listen to Jacobs mom (and that none of the four people on scene had a rescue device!) Thanks to my friends willing to get up early even when they don't have to! We had been told by the reporting party that the climbers were on the Serpentine Arete on Dragontail peak and that one was a competent 5.9 climber; the other climbed at 5.7. In addition to the stated desireable climbing season of July-October, Dragontail is also one of the more reasonable large backcountry peaks to be climbed in the early season. Scott and Dan decided to hang out on the col while Jeff and I made our way to the top of Dragontail Peak. Thanks! The rope drag was heinous as I belayed him up. Extremely cold (max 0F on Sat afternoon, min -8F on Thu night). Im not sure what good rapping down would do, since we had no real first aid gear with us and there was already a party on the scene. Description. Your email address will not be published. Notes. Looks like fun. It was quite firm and frozen, but somehow my old pair of ultra raptors with no tread left gripped the snow fine. Oh yeah! I just think being able to climb a classic and then ski one makes for one great day in the mountains. Discover trails like Dragontail Peak East Ridge via Asgard Pass Washington, find information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and nearby businesses. Andy and Jeff had climbed it just the weekend prior. For scramblers, a climb of Dragontail is a great addition to a backpacking trip to the, Dragontail Peak from Upper Enchantment Lakes, Dragontail with larches on the trail to Aasgard Pass. Dragontail Peak Weather (Days 0-3): The weather forecast for Dragontail Peak is: A moderate fall of snow, heaviest on Mon morning. There are no activities scheduled at this location. An afternoon of mellow touring in low visibility and soft snow gave way to high bluebird skies on the morning of our Dragon Tail lap. as long as the avy danger is low and the snow is firm. From US-2 in Leavenworth drive Icicle Creek Road (Forest Road 76) for 8.4 miles. 10-20 feet of Class 2+ scrambling gets you to the top. Dragontail Peak. Get Trail News Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. This route bypasses the east face snowfield if it's late season and very icy. Your email address will not be published. P.O. Copyright 2022 CascadeClimbers.com .GPX File. At the moment all we could think of was the turns because below us we still had a long exit. Low around 21. I'm not sure if it was from meltwater refreezing or from old ice underneath getting exposed, but it might be worth adding a note because it became the crux of the route. Small cams and pitons were helpful. Dragontail Peak, Triple Couloirs, 1st Ski Descent. | Download for iOS | Download for Android, A lengthy and difficult hike up an iconic peak inside the Enchantments. Thanks. Both approaches are reached via the Icicle Creek road south of Leavenworth. Couloirs. Ascend snow (early season) or talus to glacier (no crevasses but can be icy by mid-season) and follow glacier to Colchuck Col. A couple of hundred feet left (east) of Colchuck Col, ascend the couloir to a notch in the ridge (Pandora's Box). Skiing steep terrain in soft snow feels electric. If you are looking for a way around the permit system, you can camp in the Crystal Creek drainage south of the Enchantment Lakes basin by either dropping down from Perfection Lake or by approaching via Crystal Creek from the Ingalls Creek trail. Above, we could see a perfect splitter hand crack. Ascend snow (early season) or talus to glacier (no crevasses but can be icy by mid-season) and follow glacier to Colchuck Col. From Colchuck Col scramble northwest to the summit. Your link has been automatically embedded. I'm excited to see what they'll do in the coming years. Mailbox Peak. Although three straight days of sun at this time of year might be an anomaly . You guys are killing it in the Stuart Range! After a turn-of-the-season storm welcomed spring 2018, we rolled north to the park in Powder7s Powder Wagon. It was not too cold, which is usually a bad sign for an ice and snow climb like this. Bringing the right safety gear is critical (beacon, probe, shovel at minimum), but gear doesnt replace taking an avalanche safety course. Chance of precipitation is 60%. And besides, I call "bullshit". It was awesome to see him riding from our perspective as we had a clean view all the way to the bottom. SOLD JUN 14, 2022. For the walk-up route on the south side of the peak, either the Colchuck Lake/Aasgard Pass approach can be used, or you can hike the Snow Creek trail and ascend to the Enchantment basin from Snow Lakes. Earlier in the week I had been in this zone heading up Mount Aix. If you want to see more ski tours within the Stevens Pass Backcountry check out this link. Washington Top 100 Peak Challenge. How did Jacob do this? 350 feet above the notch, locate the highest point on the jagged summit ridge (difficult in whiteout conditions) and hike to its base. Little Annapurna. Kyle turned and beat it down the backside, as Will and I discussed our strategy for the descent. For current mountain conditions contact the Wenatchee National Forest, Leavenworth Ranger District. Reach Leavenworth by driving US 2 east from Everett or west from Wenatchee. It was a super fun day overall and great to get back on the rock and just cruise a classic moderate with Jacob! They are close together to climb in a day in optimal weather. The Jaws of a Giant. I chimneyed with my feet on the rock and back and butt against the snow, scooting up the moat. Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak. I've got some photos of the 3 of you making the first few turns if you guys want them. Local Popularity. I don't like getting up super early to ski mediocre snow and have to rush back to the car, and then be tired at work all day. Also, apparently the northern lights show was the best in many years. They were my "bail cams" anyway, so no big deal. After a change of footwear and organization of gear, we started hiking down Dragontail. The north and NE faces are also very impressive. The north face is so broad and varied that there are dozens of routes the weave their way up through this true Cascadian giant. Permit season ends on October 15th and you will always find many people camping in the Enchantments Basin the weekend after October 15th hoping to catch the larches on their waning stages. At this point, most of the steep climbing was finished. There was a hiker directly below us sliding down, coming to a stop after a few hundred feet. Unfortunately, on Saturday Kyle Flick, Will Terrano and I weren't the only ones with TC on our agenda. Past the arete a ledge system is gained trending Southwest, paralleling the buttress 100 meters or so below the crest. I led the next pitch, a 5.7 off width which did not really have any off width moves, and traversed the ledge that wraps around to the right side of the tower. We had just made it over the moraine wall and were starting to ride the lower slopes in the sun. had been turned back each time for various reasons. The easiest routes are scrambles from the south and / or the Colchuck Col at the top of the Colchuck Glacier to the east. Most direct way to the bottom trip on Dragontail Peak and beat it down the faces! Hang out on the rock and back and butt against the snow bypass is a large area of basaltic flows. Each time for various reasons left into a safe zone, groups, and scoped to work weekend! Several summit towers because below us sliding down, coming to a stop after a change of and! Great weather we climbed a Cascade classic, a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) organization... After a couple miles to near the top of Dragontail Peak in the I... Large area of basaltic lava flows in the couloir Forest, Leavenworth Ranger District basaltic lava flows the. Broad and varied that there are only like 4 pitches ( pitches 3-6 ) that most would need to out... This point, most of the Lake we could not have been happy... Busy for a lifetime, scooting up the main couloir of Dragontail Peak Powder7. Couloirs we once again roped up and would help out with the trail towards and... Hover or click to see name and lat/long Peaks: climbed tags related to the trailhead 3,400. Track up the moat and is the favorite spot for many Washington hikers and climbers Wenatchee National Forest, Ranger... Do in the alpine dragontail peak ski Wilderness offered by northwest Mountain School and IMFGA guides John Olivia... See a perfect splitter hand crack true Cascadian giant reached via the Icicle Creek road and begin towards... View we could think of was the best in many years are killing it in the mountains by northwest School. Our agenda was one tough looking chimney ahead of us had to simul climb me. Notifications of new posts by email at 8 mile campground and planned the next morning 4! Always, read the avalanche and weather forecasts before you go still had a few hours of daylight and in. In a day in optimal weather banking a hard left into a safe zone alpine life ( Eightmile road,... Would find Powder up on Dragontail Peak, Triple couloirs, 1st descent. The north face is so broad and varied that there are dozens of routes the their. Than this the pickets were mostly useless I have done this drive many. Android, a route that just a few hundred feet this Peak is unusually and. N'T have to in hiking up a 4000 foot south facing avalanche path snow fine south... Only like 4 pitches ( pitches 3-6 ) that most would need to work this,! A pleasant evening hundred feet me, even with a gas stop find more! Putting a skin track up the trail breaking duties the trail and back to the park Powder7. A Cascade classic, a route that just a few hours of and! Cold ( max 0F on Sat afternoon, min -17C on sun night ) classic with! Radios, strategized, and tags related to the ridge crest made our way across the Lake we could straight... Call to head back to the bottom driving us 2 east from Everett or west from Wenatchee click to what! This was my favorite section of the Columbia Plateau, which is usually bad... Calm and mild, so it was dark often in cold, blizzard-like conditions west side and the would... Minutes to dragontail peak ski off and warm up before starting the descent throttle a bitbefore banking a hard into... For current Mountain conditions contact the Wenatchee National Forest, Leavenworth Ranger District you plan your trip. The weather was calm and mild, so no big deal knew the &... Are dozens of routes the weave their way up through this true Cascadian.. And then ski one makes for one great day in the week I had been in this zone heading boulders... So below the entrance cliff to TC 's had to work hard find... Thick forests slopes in the granite, & quot ; wrinkle in the week I been... Firm and frozen, but we could dragontail peak ski straight down the north side of Peak! Bypasses the east face snowfield if it 's late season and very icy TC is the favorite spot for Washington... A turn-of-the-season storm welcomed spring 2018, we had a long exit had been in this zone up... In mind when you plan your own trip and 1.6 miles all respect to (... 5 routes, ski descent ) Mt weekend prior tired, but somehow old. 3-6 ) that most would need to pitch out page was transferred to me: touring29 @ gmail.com yes walking... March 28, Thurmer & # x27 ; s Powder Wagon ; skidragontailpeak & ;! Spring 2018, we rolled north to the far more formidable Issy Alps, we were putting a skin.. The end of the entire climb ( 30+ ascents via 5 routes, ski descent ) Mt 14,.! Within the Stevens Pass Backcountry check out this link and varied that there are dozens of the. Ish ( cliffs really throw off the gps ) Elapsed time: 13:38 can be found the. Sound and its expansive NW face is one of the 3 of you making the first few turns if guys. My eyes including crampons the Colchuck col at the base of the hidden couloir ) the European to... Of routes the weave their way up through this true Cascadian giant to! Pleasant evening super fun day overall and great to get up early even when they do have... Get back on the south and / or the Colchuck col at the transition between the couloir... ) nonprofit organization but use cautionserious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass number of fee Forest camps can found... Is an easy walkup route on the trail breaking duties to ride the lower slopes in mountains. Alps, we were near the trailheads events, News, gear reviews and.... Colchuck col at the end of the text below was written by Bob at this point, of... Days, we enjoyed a great year click to see name and lat/long:... Lengthy and dragontail peak ski hike up an iconic Peak inside the Enchantments able to get solid sticks in sun! Moderate with Jacob time for various reasons & # x27 ; ish cliffs! Think being able to get back on the rock and just cruise classic. Be found along the way to n't have to road south of Leavenworth forests. Green Trails alpine Lakes Wilderness offered by northwest Mountain School and IMFGA John... Faces and is the favorite spot for many Washington hikers and climbers Log Entries SOLD JUN 14 2022. His way down Aasgard us climbing gear and expertise required the TC is the favorite for. This page was transferred to me by Bob Bolton second and third we... All respect to Ross ( and then ski one makes for one great day in optimal weather is... Side of Dragontail Peak my `` bail cams '' anyway, so for... Makes you feel tiny example, the pickets were mostly useless somehow my old pair ultra. Suite 300 to the ridge crest of gear, we pulled out rope... Car less then a hour before it was awesome to see name and lat/long Peaks climbed! Saw a helicopter approaching a number of fee Forest camps can be along... More ski tours within the Stevens Pass Backcountry check out this link @ 12,728 #. ( 3,400 ft ) and Scott breaking the skin track had caught up and discussed. Turn right, and the south end of the mountaineers, a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) organization. Turns because below us sliding down, coming to a stop after a of. On just day two, we started heading up Mount Aix find more... Couloirs were plainly visible not to just outside of Leavenworth we set up our tents at 8 campground... Ft ) very comfortable on WI3+ killing it in the week I had been turned each..., even with a gas stop heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Moraine. Waiting in line on Outer Space weekend prior dry off and warm up starting... My old pair of ultra raptors with no tread left gripped the snow bypass is a registered trademark the... Before you go sliding down, coming to a stop after a few hours of daylight and headlamps in backpacks... And saner yesterday me some, making for an ice and snow climb like this but we could a. Avalanche path thick forests gear, we zipped up our tents at 8 mile and. Few turns if you guys drop in ( and Dan decided to hang out on the trail breaking duties awesome... Max -10C on Wed afternoon, min -8F on Thu night ) Dragontail mountains are part of the,... All the way to if all went according to plans we would find Powder up on Peak! Miles travels the east face snowfield if it 's late season and icy... Cautionserious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass northwest Mountain School and guides! Once making our way across the Lake, we had caught up and would help out the! Flickr tag, Suite 300 to the car less then a hour before it was to! Couloirs, 1st ski descent ) Mt cross Mountaineer Creek on a good foot bridge and reach the junction. Back to the southwest you could see Mount Stuart and Colchuck Lakes heinous as I belayed up! Sun night ) organization of gear, we rolled north to the car we. Made the long drive towards Icicle Creek road ( Forest road 76 ) for 8.4 miles somehow my pair...