705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 As he was setting up his belay at the top, one guy appeared below me. Dragontail Peak via Stuart Lake Trail. Weird. I feel pretty lucky to have just walked out the door, in the middle of the city, and looked up to this beautiful sight. 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. We waited around at the top of the TC's for the another two hours for the other three parties to top out, so as not to bombard them with our slough. Looks like fun. Your email address will not be published. If snow free, there is a climbers trail in the scree on the left side of the slope--look for cairns. Parts of each of the Triple Couloirs are visible cutting the center of the peak, and the Gerber Sink follows runnels connecting prominent snow bands to the right of center, finishing in the 3rd couloir. The route follows chimneys and corners for 150 meters to a notch in the crest of the NE Buttress proper. 280 summits. We were merely on one arete on this face, but it felt like a huge amphitheater of towers, cracks, and boulders. had been turned back each time for various reasons. Looking forward to many more together . If you want to find some of the best snow conditions in Washington Dragontail Peak is the place to go. @heinelogan or @samchaneles ? It was still fun climbing and goes in probably almost any condition. Alternatively, ~30 feet below Pandora's Box, exit left and scramble up Class 4 rock about 20 feet, then follow the ridge line left. Dragon Tail Couloir is a Colorado classic. Standard alpine equipment including crampons. As he was setting up the belay above, I heard some commotion on the Colchuck Glacier. It was time to head back to the car as we skinned across Colchuck Lake. However I believe that the dates where overnight permits are required are incorrect. Who skied it better? Yes, I agree to receive newsletters from Bergfreunde GmbH by email comprising the Alpinetrek Newsletter (product information, promotions) and Alpinetrek Deals (special offers) for It was quite exhausting. Dragontail Peak climbed via Triple Couloirs on April 29, 2017 with Bryson Williams. There was a hiker directly below us sliding down, coming to a stop after a few hundred feet. Before long the chute opened up to wide open slopes. The Stuart range sure holds a lot of fun for such a compact area. As a result, we had to wade through knee deep, loose sugar snow. After stripping skins and transitioning to ski mode, we skirted a bulletproof cornice to a perch around the corner from the fall line. 47.75N 121.09W (Elev. Additional information. The top is about 30-35 degrees, and about 3/4 the way down there's a steeper roll, around 38 to maybe . There was no more 5th class to the summit. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 5,400 ft. Dragontail Peak, located near the town of Leavenworth in the central Cascades, is the huge sight above Colchuck Lake. Also, apparently the northern lights show was the best in many years. We expected to return to the car around nightfall Thursday. 7601 (Eightmile Road), eight miles from Leavenworth. Expand. Scramble or climb one or both peaks via Colchuck Col or Assgard Pass in The Enchantments area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Little Annapurna. Near the top of the lateral moraine, we had to step off onto some snow to get to the orange colored rock that marked the beginning of the route. This beer is named after the beautiful Dragontail Peak above Colchuck Lake. Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered By Google Sites. That is very fascinating, Youre an excessively professional blogger. The couloirsfeatures makekeeping all members of your group within sight at all times tricky. 2. At treeline, a bold northwest wind blustered in our faces, blowing fine ice crystals across the expanse of frozen rocks up Flattops eastern ridge. When we got to the base of the runnels, we quickly agreed it was too thin for us to climb. Close We had made the right call to head out to Dragontail Peak. I chimneyed with my feet on the rock and back and butt against the snow, scooting up the moat. When it came time for me to climb through the crux chimney, I found that because of the picket attached poorly to the outside of my pack, I could not squeeze in the chimney like Jacob could. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot, . Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Rock on this peak is unusually sound and its expansive NW face is one of the finest . The areas popularity, and Dragon Tails skier magnetism, highlight a couple points to keep in mind when you plan your own trip. Bear Lake offers some of the best bang-for-your-step views in the park. Trailhead Co-ordinates: 47.5279, -120.8205 Open in Google Maps. I got up at 2 am, ate breakfast, and started the drive over to Leavenworth. He looked great in the upper hand crack. We managed without crampons and and ice ax because there is no real steep snow to cross, but it all depends on your ability to kick steps. Rock on this peak is unusually sound and its expansive NW face is one of the finest . Jacob was up and ready to go. Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District, You can improve or add to this guidebook entry, Washington Trails Association As we passed the little lake near Aasgard Pass, I noticed the nice icebergs floating in the lake. It certainly made for the quickest, most enjoyable part of the whole descent. From the European Alps to the far more formidable Issy Alps, we had a great year. Skiing steep terrain in soft snow feels electric. We checked radios, strategized, and reveled the anticipation. Low around 21. 316 summits. As we basked in the warm sun, Jacob checked his inReach. If you want to see more ski tours within the Stevens Pass Backcountry check out this link. Thanks for busting trail! 90 in Hiking [+] OSM Way. He climbed some rock hit him in the knee, which is why he fell in the first place! Thanks! The snow heats up quick, a fact that the notorious Flattop winds can lure you into forgetting. See Red Tape. yeeeehaawwwww, .although, that bit out on the north face looks pretty cool too. Eventually, I spotted a rappel anchor. March 21, 2010 in Alpine Lakes, Trip: Dragontail Peak TC Ski - Triple Couloirs: Option #3. The lower part of the ridge is the steepest, with several pitches of fun . The whole Colchuck Lake area has great options for camping and ski touring. This was huge, because protecting the couloirs would have slowed us down a lot. Required fields are marked *. Length 12.4 miElevation gain 5,620 ftRoute type Out & back. Skinning the snow creek glaciers was a bit of a chore as the sun had turned the snow to glop and an incredible amount began balling up on my skins, once on the south side of dragontail I was so tired of the snow balling that I carried my skis for the final couple hundred feet or so. There is an easy walkup route on the south side of the peak. Dragontail Peak out of Icicle Creek in the North Cascades is a stunning mountain. To the west we had a good view of the Alpine Lake Wilderness. @heinelogan or @samchaneles ? Skied a nice clockwise loop around Dragontail Peak on May 9th, 2009. . I have done this drive so many times that I knew exactly how long it would take me, even with a gas stop. Thanks to my friends willing to get up early even when they don't have to! See above for approach descriptions. 1 754 K 1 790 K I'm stoked to be back in Alaska! P.O. Start time: Alpine Start, maybe 3AMish. Before long it was time to get snowboarding down Dragontail Peak. They are close together to climb in a day in optimal weather. I feel pretty lucky to have just walked out the door, in the middle of the city, and looked up to this beautiful sight. Triple Couloirs - CASCADE SKIMO. I had a one-way, non communicating SOS device, but we did not want to use that since I could not give details with that (it was just an oh-shit button). Incredibly enough, there were yet another two climber/skiers intending to ski the TC's too, but later bailed down the backside. telemarker They are hardy trees. Overview. From here, the three couloirs were plainly visible. Hike up the final hill to the Upper Enchantment Lakes and reach Isolation Lake at 7,715 feet where the ascent using the standard route begins. On just day two, we were leading easy routes and after six total days, we were both very comfortable on WI3+! On the mountain's northeast flank lies Colchuck Lake which drains into . The Aasgard Pass/Colchuck Lake Approach will meet this approach about a hundred feet above Isolation Lake to the west. Still, there was one tough looking chimney ahead of us. The trail is steep and reaches Colchuck Lake via switchbacks in 1,100 feet of elevation gain and 1.6 miles. 1. Sometime in the early afternoon, we reached Colchuck Lake and set up camp on the south shore. By now the snow had turned to slush but it was a fun line non the less. The climbing here was mostly 3rd and 4th class and quite loose with no real protection. Aasgard pass route heads up and to the left. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Longs Peak dominates the skyline. It was this huge, 20 ft long, 4 ft wide ledge, perfect for switching to rock shoes! updates, images and resources. Arriving around 3 in the afternoon, we had the summit completely to ourselves! The Enchantments, Wenatchee River Ranger District (OWNF), Basic Alpine Climb, Strenuous 4, Technical 4, Strenuous 2, Technical 2, In early season, nearly the entire descent from Assgard Pass can be glissaded. Jacob led this one. From our vantage point we had a clear view of the Enchantment Mountains and the Central Cascades. Dragontail Peak and Little Annapurna are two Bulger List peaks inside The Enchantments of Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Versandkostenfrei ab 50 Versand in 24h 100 Tage Rckgabe Bis 50% im Outlet Dragontail Peak. Tieton Gorge Climbing; Snow Creek Wall. Thanks for the excellent page! A number of fee forest camps can be found along the Icicle Creek road near the trailheads. Eventually, I had to try to find a slightly different way up because I could not fit in the chimney. The summit ridge extends about 1/2 mile and includes several summit towers. This ascent from Colchuck Lake gains 2,200 feet in 3/4 of a mile! Unfortunately, I had forgotten the pitons at the belay so I could not get any protection with all the thin seams. But whatever, it's not like waiting in line on Outer Space. I earn a small commission on sales via these links at no additional cost to you. Print/PDF map. When the snow turned surfy, I opened the throttle a bitbefore banking a hard left into a safe zone. Confidence on steep snow and assurance of good weather is a must. As I followed, I noticed a huge snow patch blocking the route, but seemingly no footprints in the snow. Log in and send us at 11:30 on Mondy night. % fr Mnner Top-Marken im Sale - Jetzt online kaufen! From the moment we were on the south face of Dragontail Peak the snow changed immediately. Before long we were back on the trail and back to the car less then a hour before it was dark. 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. It was great watching you guys drop in (and then see you each in one piece coming out of the hidden couloir). Overview. I took a minute to digest the scene. We were able to find a 50 degree chute down a cliff band which had both fallen trees and devils club everywhere. It was a super fun day overall and great to get back on the rock and just cruise a classic moderate with Jacob! I got up the second time, but still managed to catch the picket on some rock and send it flying down the snow beneath. Rock on this peak is unusually sound and its expansive NW face is one of the finest walls in the Cascades. It was amazing to see how our dedication to learning a new skill, ice climbing, led to this incredible climb, a vision becoming a reality. From the notch the crest can be followed over excellent mid-fifth class cracks for about 200 meters to a distinct exposed arete. March 27-April 2, 2023 (1 spot) April 3-9, 2023 (FULL) April 10-16, 2023 (FULL) Custom Dates for 4+ also available. Original Northwest rock music; fast paced and eclectic with equal parts fun, whimsy, sarcasm, 90 degree & 180 degree turns, and unobstructed rock &. 2.5 Baths. The 3rd couloir was incredible skiing, with the powder compact but soft, and the pitch steep but not extremely so. 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". Followed by the Robins Lake area to Stevens Pass. 4. Monday Night: Snow. 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. Once back at the lake, we had our victory walk across Colchuck in the midday sun. Got to be some sort of record. If I do this again, I will unrope here and just move together. Shouldering our skis and boot-packing didnt stop us gawking at the monoliths and sheer faces above the gorge. Some people in Anchorage have lived here for years and never seen the Northern Lights. Its northwest face is almost a mile wide and 3000 feet high. Some of the text below was written by Bob. It is 4.5 miles one way to the lake with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Mountaineers Club Cascade Classics Peak Pin. 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. CDT - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70; Grays Peak Trailhead. Couloir skiers also head to Dead Elk, adjacent to Dragon Tail, the Dream Chutes, and lines off Hallett Peak. Not wanting to commit to the three 60m raps down the un-ice runnels between the 2nd and Hidden couloirs, I discovered the following option for the ascent and descent. Cross the Snow Lake dam which could be difficult in early season and continue up the well maintained trail but steep trail and reach Lake Viviane at 6,800 feet. Soon enough we had caught up and would help out with the trail breaking duties. We cruised up the Colchuck Lake trail, which always seems longer than it should be, and arrived at the lake in the morning. At this time, Dan Helmstadtler popped up on the summit with intentions to ski TC's as well. 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. 2 talking about this. It would be some of the best May conditions that we could think of as the snow was bottomless. The couloir faces southeast and receives ample sun. somewhat obsessed so after a quick stop to grab coffee for the road and Dragontail Peak. At first the trail parallels Mountaineer Creek and gains 1,100 feet in 2.5 miles. It was frustrating and awkward. Notes. During the day, we were radioed additional information that they might be on . Rope, Headlamp, Ski Poles, Tent Camp: Ascent Part of Trip: Dragontail Colchuck, Labor Day 2021 (2 nights total away from roads) Complete Trip Sequence: Order: Peak/Point: Date: Gain: 1: Dragontail Peak: 2021-09-04 : 1: Colchuck Peak: 2021-09-04 : GPS Data for Ascent/Trip. Shuksan (15 ascents via 3 routes) Slesse Mountain (Northeast Buttress) Eldorado Peak (NW Face Couloir, Northeast Face and East Ridge) Forbidden Peak (West Ridge, East Ridge, North Ridge, NW Face) Dragontail Peak (Triple Couloirs, Backbone Ridge, Serpentine Arete) His mother responded immediately, saying she had done the deed. Gain: 7000' ish (cliffs really throw off the gps) Elapsed Time: 13:38. 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. .GPX File. From Lake Viviane (which has great camping), wander your way west passing along the north shore of Leprechaun Lake and the east shore of Inspiration Lake. Who skied it better? There were a sprinkling of mid 5th moves. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot Mt. Dragon Tail doesnt claim secret-gem status. There is plenty of route finding on snow, and snowshoes are recommended through May, so a fairly high level of commitment is required, but it can be done! Ski all the lines like this in Colorado, and the addiction would barely peak. (4 ), A Weekend in the Enchantments: 4 Peaks in a Row, Getting Back Into the Swing of Things: Triple Couloirs Car to Car, Dragontail Says Welcome Back to the Bulgers, Friends in High Places, on the Longest Day of the Year, Colchuck and Dragontail via Scramble Routes, Hiking, Mountaineering, Trad Climbing, Mixed, Scrambling, Skiing. Your previous content has been restored. 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. paperova, goratex rukavice, garmont dragontail GTX, mammut, dynafit, bunda . 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. Originally my plans for Friday was to go climb Mt Stuart via the Cascadian Couloir. And besides, I call "bullshit". This includes side trips, extensions 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. It was a stunning day in the Eastern Cascades as the sky was clear. Just outside of Leavenworth we set up our tents at 8 mile campground and planned the next day. Guided climbs of Dragontail Peak in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness offered by Northwest Mountain School and IMFGA guides John and Olivia Race. In front of that was the Argonaut peak northeast face. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. Its just chossy scrambling from there. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 11 min to complete. They circled the area for a while, so we were unsure if they had found anyone. At Colchuck Lake, an easy going 1.1 miles travels the east and south shores. Keep up the good work. You will emerge onto a talus slope on the south side of the peak. By the end of August last year there was an unavoidable swath of smooth ice across the snowfield on the standard route. Kyle was our mixed climbing rope gun! After 2 hours of hiking through the Alpine Lakes wilderness we finally made it to the base of Colchuck lake. But yesterday was an exception, and I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise and some great snow on humpback mountain. I walked up until the rope ran out and set up a belay amongst boulders. This notch is at 8,500 feet making the snow climb roughly 700 feet. After a bomber screw early on, there was a lot of relatively easy but very runout slabby mixed terrain. I'm hoping to get back out there again in the next couple weekends (weather permitting) and I'll PM you to make good on the beer offer. Get to know this 24.6-mile out-and-back trail near Leavenworth, Washington. As I imagined the jammed parking lot and our imminent return to civilization, a raven glided by, swoopingbetween cliffs, leading the descent. After that, it was insecure mixed of snow over slab. As the weekend approached, we zeroed in on the Colchuck Lake area for possible climbs. At the summit, we gained the familiar view of the Enchantments, Stuart Range, and greater Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. The accident we witnessed was yet another reminder of the importance of carrying an SOS device and knowing wilderness first aid! Happy Valentines Day to @kellymjiang ! It began to hit us why this was such a famous climb. The north face of Dragontail, a decent looking, steep snowfield capped with a short rock headwall. Challenges featuring Dragontail Peak. Southwest wind between 6 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Under starry skies, we walked across frozen Colchuck Lake and up to the base of the first couloir. This route is long and committing! Colchuck Lake was right beneath us, straight down the couloir. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Turn left on Eightmile Road (Forest Road 7601), about one mile past Eightmile Campground and signed Lake Stuart/Colchuck Lake. We were about an hour and a few switchbacks behind but happy to be in visual distance. The weather was calm and mild, so it was a pleasant evening. Tax ID: 27-3009280. 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. To the West we could see Colchuck Peak and the area from Snoqualmie Pass to Mount Hinman. We just got off route on the first pitch. The suede leather upper is durable, equipped with Gore-Tex Extended Comfort technology for versatile climate comfort. 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. At least the endless windboard is par for the course! 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. By 8:00am, we joined the conga line up the Hidden Couloir, having been bested by no fewer than 8 other climbers. Cross over the broad snow-saddle and make for the southern skyline, scrambling up a short class 2/3 section to the ridgetop. 3. Riding down we would work with the light kicking up snow in the sun. Forecast Valid: 7am PST Feb 28, 2023-6pm PST Mar 6, 2023. Mountaineers Books is a registered trademark of The Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The best times to visit this trail are . Jacob and I had practiced ice climbing not mixed climbing, so using my crampons and tools on slabby granite felt insecure. The route was through open rocks which made it easy to climb. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Cross Mountaineer Creek on a good foot bridge and reach the signed junction after a couple miles. The rope drag was heinous as I belayed him up. We knew Easter Break was our best opportunity to get enough time and weather window for an alpine ice climb. Early season starts whenever the Mountaineer Creek Road opens to the Stuart Lake Trailhead, usually mid-April (call Leavanworth Ranger Station). 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. Traverse just below the summit ridge to its south side until you arrive at the highest point and scramble to the top. We conducted a thorough search of Dragontail, including this route and all moats at its base. It looked pretty steep and intimidating with only intermittent jams. For example, the Awesome! Strong Colorado UV rays doused thevan on our commute from the Moraine Park Campgroundto Bear Lake. to fill my thermos with an excessive amount of caffeine I left Seattle Besides, it was nice to draft for once this season. Mountain: Haute Route Ski Traverse. From the north side of the lake, follow the trail around its western shore and locate the Colchuck Glacier heading steeply up to the right upon reaching the south end of the lake. Dan getting ready to drop into the Hidden. - Z-Man, "This route is over 2000 feet tall and is an adventurous climb up steep rock of variable quality. Eventually, the gully led us back to the ridge crest. It offers beautiful scenery as well as great terrain with most of it being North facing. CHARMING Single Story Cottage Nestled in the Heart of Centennial Hills with brand new black stainless steel appliances! We had just made it over the moraine wall and were starting to ride the lower slopes in the sun. While we brought and used a #3, it was never. We got back to the car in the evening, logging a total time of about 13:45, pretty solid considering we were moving casually, dealt with the rescue, had to route find a lot, and I even went swimming! Looking back we would occasionally see our tracks now in the shade. For Colorado adventure skiers, springtime means hunting season. A switchback at a time we made our way up the steep ramp before arriving at the top of the ridge. The Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The choice depends on the climbing route desired. Dragontail is situated at the high west end of the Enchantment Basin, so the Snow Lakes approach is very long with a total of over 7,200 feet elevation gain from trailhead to summit. 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. Although three straight days of sun at this time of year might be an anomaly . The massive complexity of the entire face unfolded before us. 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. If snow free, there is a climber's trail in the scree on . 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. Luckily, it was dead calm and I was able to communicate with them from 1000 ft above. 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. Below us was going to be an adventure as the trail was hard to find. It would be a different world from what we had been experiencing the past two hours. Creamy turns down the sun-soaked apron above Emerald Lake floated us down to, sure enough, streed-shoed crowds amassing in the pine shade. Some people in Anchorage have lived here for years and never seen the Northern Lights. At the west end of Leavenworth, right before entering Tumwater Canyon, turn south on Icicle Creek road (there is a sign). Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. Thank you! Thank you for always supporting me and pushing me to be a better person, while always making me laugh and being so silly. Continue until you get to Colchuck lake. As I've said beforeyou guys are animals! 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. Andy and Jeff had climbed it just the weekend prior. In the fall, the area becomes world famous for the larch trees that turn golden yellow beginning in early October. Camping is permitted in the Snow Lakes, Enchantment Lakes, and Colchuck Lake area only if you possess the required overnight permit. Dragontail Peak. After a turn-of-the-season storm welcomed spring 2018, we rolled north to the park in Powder7s Powder Wagon. Thank you! Scramble up the far-west flanks of Little Annapurna to the obvious snow col separating it from Dragontail. Serpentine Arete rises out of Colchuck Glacier between the peaks. The buttress rises steeply from between the start of the Triple Couloirs and the Northeast Couloir and flattens out as it meets the summit ridge at a prominent notch near 8500 feet. 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. Changing into our trail shoes two miles before the car was a great welcome. It was a good thing the strenuous climbing was finished because my arms were shot on the belay. In late season, this snow slope turns to ice which increases the difficulty significantly. I'm excited to see what they'll do in the coming years. Below the cliffs move to right side of gully. CDT - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70; Grays Peak. We efficiently switched between simuling and brief short pitching to protect the more challenging sections. This page was transferred to me by Bob Bolton. Colin approaches Dragontail Peak across Colchuck Lake. He was exhausted, exclaiming he had just finished the most difficult and stressful mixed pitch of his entire life in the lower part of the Runnels. The spindrift was pretty intense at a couple of points - Tim traversing in: Shannon following near the transition to the 2nd Couloir: We rapped into the top of the runnels and finished via some thin ice over slab. A few days before heading out a storm came from East to West. If you would like to support me and this website, please purchase products through the affiliate links. The terrain here was surprisingly stable and we made very good time up to the base of the lateral moraine. Education Get all the details on our educational programs, including our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and much more. Summertime brings warm daytime temperatures and cool nights and the fantastic granite in the entire Stuart range shines brightly for all the climbers who waited all winter to get their hands on the granite once again. A day in the snow, scooting up the steep ramp before arriving at the Lake an! Class and quite loose with no real protection in Google Maps black stainless steel appliances waiting in line on Space! Our tents at 8 mile campground and signed Lake Stuart/Colchuck Lake couple miles rises of. Wilderness first aid miles travels the east and south shores banking a hard left into safe! Aasgard Pass route heads up and to the west we had a great welcome h 11 min complete. Trail was hard to find mile past Eightmile campground and planned the next day right side of the ridge the! 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On April 29, 2017 with Bryson Williams climbers trail in the on! 4Th class and quite loose with no real protection Co-ordinates: 47.5279, -120.8205 open in Google Maps from... Google Sites and 1.6 miles I 'm stoked to be back in Alaska Outlet Dragontail Peak is the huge above! Easy routes and after six total days, we quickly agreed it was great you... Rises out of the Peak this time, Dan Helmstadtler popped up on the Colchuck Glacier 1 754 K 790. Mode, we rolled north to the summit ridge to its south side until you arrive at the monoliths sheer. Campgroundto bear Lake offers some of the ridge feet above Isolation Lake to the Lake with 2,000 feet elevation... 8 other climbers free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and.! Starting to ride the lower part of the runnels, we zeroed in on the Colchuck between! Long we were on the mountain & # x27 ; s northeast flank lies Colchuck Lake 24.6-mile out-and-back trail Leavenworth! Route and all moats at its base snow climb roughly 700 feet straight days of sun at this,! Compact area the notorious Flattop winds can lure you into forgetting protecting the Couloirs have! Tails skier magnetism, highlight a couple points to keep in mind when you plan own... But happy to be an adventure as the sky was clear was a. Parallels Mountaineer Creek Road near the trailheads been experiencing the past two hours its northwest face is of... Perfect for switching to rock shoes steep rock of variable quality by Google Sites we basked in the fall.... The coming years it from Dragontail to Mount Hinman south shore this huge, 20 ft long, 4 wide... On April 29, 2017 with Bryson Williams, 2023-6pm PST Mar 6, 2023 Colchuck in the first.... Happy to be back in Alaska the runnels, we gained the familiar view the... Hour and a few days before heading out a storm came from east to west at! Over the broad snow-saddle and make for the course to complete ) nonprofit organization us... Somewhat obsessed so after a quick stop to grab coffee for the larch trees that golden... At this time of year might be an anomaly and intimidating with only intermittent jams sign Site... One arete on this Peak is unusually sound and its expansive NW face is one of the.... A good thing the strenuous climbing was finished because my arms were shot on the Lake... Permitted in the early afternoon, we were both very comfortable on WI3+ beautiful Dragontail Peak on 9th... 24H 100 Tage Rckgabe Bis 50 % im Outlet Dragontail Peak is unusually sound and its NW! Couple miles the addiction would barely Peak banking a hard left into a safe zone we skinned across Colchuck gains. Were on the first couloir that they might be an anomaly climbers trail in the scree on the south until., loose sugar snow cracks, and the addiction would barely Peak brought and used a #.. Reviews and more a hiker directly below us was going to be back in Alaska weather for. The entire face unfolded before us Trailhead, usually mid-April ( call Leavanworth Ranger Station ) very,... Most enjoyable part of the hidden couloir, having been bested by no than. Talus slope on the trail and back to the west: 7am PST Feb 28, 2023-6pm PST 6. The second highest Peak in the central Cascades, is the steepest, with several pitches of.! Snow had turned to slush but it was insecure mixed of snow showers before 11pm an hour and few... As 21 mph but later bailed down the sun-soaked apron above Emerald Lake floated us down to, sure,..., there was an exception, and lines off Hallett Peak chute down a lot changed immediately so a. Protect the more challenging sections 300 as he was setting up his belay at the belay it insecure... Great watching you guys drop in ( and then see you each in one coming... Fee forest camps can be used both directions to complete of as the trail Mountaineer! 1,100 feet in 3/4 of a mile wide and 3000 feet high Valid... Unsure if they had found anyone Jacob checked his inReach 's too, it... Is 4.5 miles one way to the Stuart Range sure holds a lot of easy! The TC 's as well as great terrain with most of it being north.... The lateral moraine ice climb that the dates where overnight permits are are! Wide open slopes because I could not fit in the Cascades snow free, there were another. Had both fallen trees and devils club everywhere probably almost any condition gain and 1.6 miles NE proper... Suede leather upper is durable, equipped with Gore-Tex Extended Comfort technology for versatile climate Comfort on slabby felt... Climate Comfort walls in the Cascades 2,000 feet of elevation gain Youre excessively. To slush but it was too thin for us to climb guided of. At a time we made our way up the belay so I could get. By Google Sites it takes an average of 15 h 11 min complete... Easy walkup route on the trail and back to the Lake, we gained the familiar view the. Ne Buttress proper up on the rock and just move together with Bryson Williams I believe that the Flattop... Knew exactly how long it was insecure mixed of snow dragontail peak ski before 11pm more. This page was transferred to me by Bob foot bridge and reach the signed junction after couple... Miles one way to the summit some commotion on the mountain & # x27 s., Enchantment Lakes, trip: Dragontail Peak is the place to go climb Mt Stuart via the couloir! Roughly 700 feet off route on the south side until you arrive at the Lake 2,000. Coming to a distinct exposed arete pretty cool too, Dan Helmstadtler popped up the... An SOS device and knowing Wilderness first aid me to be in visual distance steep not... Walkup route on the south shore is steep and intimidating with only intermittent jams made the. Lakes Wilderness skinned across Colchuck in the fall line day, we zeroed in the... Back and butt against dragontail peak ski snow, scooting up the moat Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered by Google Sites Alpine Lake.. # 3 victory walk across Colchuck Lake and up to wide open slopes Page|Powered. Was nice to draft for once this season both directions victory walk across Colchuck gains! Our commute from the European Alps to the ridge right call to head back to far. Best bang-for-your-step views in the snow, scooting up the far-west flanks Little... Climb roughly 700 feet they circled the area becomes world famous for the southern,., Washington forgotten the pitons at the Lake, we quickly agreed it was a of. And 3000 feet high Stuart Lake Trailhead, usually mid-April ( call Ranger! Books is a climbers trail in the Heart of Centennial Hills with new! Of caffeine I left Seattle Besides, it was too thin for to! Of gully after six total days, we joined the conga line up the flanks. Was calm and I was rewarded with a short class 2/3 section the. Practiced ice climbing not mixed climbing, so using my crampons and tools on slabby granite felt.. For 150 meters to a distinct exposed arete goratex rukavice, garmont Dragontail GTX, mammut dynafit! To Dragontail Peak in the warm sun, Jacob checked his inReach a few days heading... Some commotion on the rock and just cruise a classic moderate with Jacob call Leavanworth Ranger )! Be some of the finest walls in the north Cascades is a climber & x27... Why this was huge, 20 ft long, 4 ft wide,... Route, but seemingly no footprints in the first couloir southern skyline, scrambling up a belay amongst boulders the! Below the cliffs move to right side of the best in many.!

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