Exploring the Cascade Ranges

During the 2009-2010 season, I focused my attention on the exploration of Washington’s North Cascades.

This area is considered by many to be among the wildest, most remote, and most rugged of those in the contiguous U.S., and certainly the wildest of the Cascades. Situated North of Stevens Pass and stretching to the American border, I subdivided the area into ten unique subranges, as consistent with Peak Bagger’s subdivision system.

The map below indicates which areas are encompassed by each range subdivision, or subrange:


Skagit Range

Checking out the terrain around the Twin Sister Range from the Middle Fork Nooksack River.

1 Day

Partner: John Cocci

Wanting to climb Mount Shuksan via the South side in late Spring.

1 Day

Partners: Scott Mcallister, Scott Stugelmeyer and Brad Kwasnowski

August turns off the summit of Mount Baker for one of the longest fall line runs around.

1 Day

Partner: Amar Andalkar


The Picket Range

What was planned to be a mid Winter Traverse of the Picket Range was a learning experience for me.

1 Day

Partners: Jason Hummel and Forrest McBrain


The Hozameen Range

With it being late in the season I decided to head out to Crater Mountain and get an up close view of Jack Mountain.

1 Day

Partner: Solo


The Okanogan Range

Wanting to check out a new zone I made my way into Pasayten Wilderness.

1 Day

Partner: Solo


The Methow Mountains

Heading out to the Methow area I was interested in riding the mountains on the East side of the crest.

2 Days

Partner: Jessie Rowe


The Central North Cascades

Heading out to Buckner Mountain via the Boston Glacier to ride one of the more aesthetic lines in the Cascades.

2 Days

Partners: Jason Hummel and Steph Aberg

Forgetting my skins at home we decided to do a tour directly from the Cascade River Road.

1 Day

Partner: Scott Stugelmeyer

Being solo I wanted to do a ski tour that would be safe from avalanches and offer great views.

1 Day

Partner: Solo

Having hopes to ride Dome Peak we went up the Suiattle River road but had to turn back because of avalanche conditions.

2 Days

Partners: The Hummel Brothers and Dan Erickson


The Entiat Range

With the road melted out all the way to Trinity we decided to do a ski tour in Leroy Basin.

1 Day

Partner: Scott Mcallister


The Chelan Range

Wanting to explore the Chelan Range we made our way up the Entiat River and focused our attention on Cardinal Peak.

2 Days

Partner: Dan Erickson


The Glacier Peak Area

With it being a drought season we decided to head up the Mountain Loop Highway to go for Mount Pugh.

1 Day

Partners: Jason Hummel and Conor Miller

Heading out to the Monte Cristo Range via Jack Pass and Goblin Creek.

1 Day

Partner: Scott Mcallister


The Glacier Peak Area north of Stevens Pass

Linking together Skyline Ridge, Lichenberg, Union and Jove in a single day.

1 Day

Partner: Scott Mcallister

With a storm dropping snow in early May we decided to make our way up Nason Ridge.

1 Day

Partner: Scott Mcallister


Nearby Ranges Visited

Wanting to camp under a full moon we made our way up to the high alpine of the Chiwaukum Range.

2 Days

Partner: Jason Hummel

Heading out into the Dakobed Range via the White River before riding Glacier Peak via the Cool Glacier Headwall.

7 Days

Partner: Jason Hummel

Being late May a storm hit the east side of the Cascades so we made our way out up Mountaineers Creek.

1 Day

Partner: Scott Mcallister

A 7 day ski traverse of the Bailey range finishing it with a descent of Mount Olympus

7 Days

Partner: Jason Hummel