Cowlitz Chimneys in Mount Rainier National Park is one of those lines that stands out from Crystal Mountain. There have been multiple occasions where I’ve had discussion with patrollers about accessing the Giant. The Cowlitz Chimneys have a unique formation as well as a massive East Facing gully. With the opening of Cayuse Pass it seemed this would be the most direct way to get there. Once there I would attempt to link it with Tamanos Mountain.
Ski Traverses
The Suiattle Traverse of the American Alps Part 3
Menu
Menu
The Suiattle Traverse is a high route from Holden Village near Glacier Peak Wilderness to the White Chuck Road. Over 4 days this was the third part of a continuous traverse of the North Cascades from Highway 20 to Glacier Peak. Being the 11th day of our trip we had just finished both the Isolation Traverse and the Extended Ptarmagin Traverse. By now we were exhausted and racing against a forecast that promised rain for the foreseeable future. We had four solid days to complete the Suiattle Traverse and in the end finish off the American Alps Traverse. This section would link up Stevens Pass to the Sauk River to the South and the Pickets Traverse to the North. In the large scale this trip would tick off a huge chunk of our goal to traverse from Mount Rainier to Mount Baker.
Extended Ptarmagin Traverse American Alps Part 2
Menu
Menu
The Extended Ptarmagin Traverse is a ski tour from Cascade Pass through Glacier Peak Wilderness to Holden Village over 7 days in Washington State. Traveling through the Cascade Crest it passes through some of the more isolated Mountains within the Cascades. While the standard Ptarmagin Traverse ends at Downey Creek this is an extension that reaches Railroad Creek. Roughly the route is around 45 miles with numerous climbs along the way. This was the second section of the American Alps Traverse and linked both the Isolation Traverse to the north and the Suiattle Traverse to the south. This route was pioneered by Lowell Skoog via Miners Ridge but we decided to make a different route heading through Bannock Lakes.
The Isolation Traverse American Alps Part 1
Menu
Menu
The Isolation Traverse is a ski tour from Highway 20 in the North Cascades National Park to the Cascade River Road over 4 days in Washington State. Usually the trip starts at the Eldorado Trail Head we started at the Pyramid Lake Trail head as this was part 1 of the American Alps Traverse.
The Concept of the American Alps Traverse
The American Alps Traverse was something Jason Hummel had talked about over the years. Season after season we had gained experience doing ski traverses but this was something I would just laugh it off. It seemed like a mission beyond what I could/wanted to do as it entailed endless sidehilling, massive backpacks and bushwhacking. The stars would align in the Spring of 2014 with an email we both received from Forrest Mcbrian. With a subject stating “Let’s go for it guys” Jason was already hook in and kept trying to persuade me to join.
Soon enough I gave in and we set plans to head out in May. It wasn’t until 2 weeks before the trip that Forest bailed for a Ranger job on Denali and it was now just Hummel and I. The goal was to do a single push from Highway 20 to Glacier Peak following the Cascade Crest. The whole concept of it was created by Lowell Skoog many years before and attempted a few times but never done in its entirety.
The Nooksack Traverse over Mt. Shuksan
Menu
Menu
The Nooksack Traverse is one of those trips you can’t get wrong. With the route being one long exposed avalanche path it must be done in stable conditions. Going from the White Salmon Glacier on Mount Shuksan to Ruth Mountain it’s surrounded in stunning scenery. Out of all the traverses I’ve done in the Cascades this is with direct ascents and fun descents. Though I had planned on doing the Nooksack Traverse for years I had to wait for the right conditions.
It would have to have soft snow yet be stable as the Nooksack Cirque is a long traverse. With that in mind we would also need 2 days of good weather as most of the route is in alpine. Patience was the game for ticking this traverse off but soon enough the stars aligned. It was time to drive up to Mount Baker Ski Resort and do this tour bordering North Cascades National Park.
The Watson Traverse from Mt. Baker to the resort
The Watson Traverse is a high alpine route from Mount Baker to the the Ski Resort. Starting at Glacier Creek it travels over 17 miles and 10,000 feet before ending at the Heather Meadows Parking lot. The high point of the route is Mount Baker with an ascent of the Coleman Glacier route before descending … Read more
Sauk River to Highway 2 in Glacier Peak Wilderness
Menu
Menu
Sauk River to Highway 2 was connecting the lines in the Washington Cascades between the 14 Lakes Traverse to the Suiattle Traverse. Starting on the Mountain Loop Highway we would loosely follow the Pacific Crest Trail for 6 days and over 50 miles. After starting on the North Fork of the Sauk River we would head southeast through the Poet Range. Then halfway through the trip we would descend west to the Little Wenatchee River before following the Pacific Crest Trail to Stevens Pass. With the traverses being almost a week long it was all about the right weather window. Fortunately that came in early May and it was time to attempt it.
Hyas Lake to Stevens Pass the 14 Lakes Traverse
Menu
Menu
The 14 Lakes Traverse was one of those trips that came together after consistently looking at maps. I needed to link together Hyas Lake to Stevens Pass and kept wondering what would be the best route for a snowboarder. Looking at previous routes that had the trip they had taken a low route following the Pacific Crest Trail. While possible, I found this way to be out of the question. If I was taking the energy I wanted to ride as much as possible. In the end this trip came together with the thought of “well if I want to ride this line I need to go there” mindset. In late March 2016 the weather window finally came together and we were on our way for a 4 day trip in Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Heading from Mount Rainier north with section Links up the Alpine Lakes Traverse and the Poets Traverse
Crystal Mountain to Stampede Pass Ski
Menu
Menu
Over the years I have fallen in love with self supported long distant travels. There is something special about traveling long distances through the snow covered mountains. With all the silence you become in tune with your surroundings. Over a decade I’ve been piecing together a traverse through the Washington Cascades. The Crystal Mountain to Stampede Pass section was a trip I had been putting off for years. The area consisted almost entirely of tree covered peaks, clear cuts and logging roads. This is one of the only areas in the crest of the cascades that’s not in Wilderness or National Park.
Rock Howard Mastiff Traverse
Menu
Menu
The Rock, Howard and Mastiff Traverse is a tour near Stevens Pass that links together some of the highest peaks. Starting from the Rock Mountain trailhead and ends at the Merritt Lake Trailhead. It’s a west to east ski traverse riding the southeast facing slopes of 3 of the biggest peaks on Nason Ridge. This was a tour both Scott and I had been thinking of doing for years. Finally the time came along when it was a early spring day with good snow. It was finally time to put together the topographical lines and see what the area had to offer.