CASCADE RIVER ROAD IS OPEN!! The access road to Eldorado Peak, Boston Basin, and the Ptarmigan Traverse opened earlier this week. There is still a huge blanket of winter snow at the upper elevations, making travel above tree-line and on the glaciers really straight forward. The classic steep snow lines in Boston Basin will be gone in a month. Right now is the time to grab them!
For the climbers:
Mt Buckner North Face, 40-45 degree snow. 3 days.
Mt Torment Northwest Glacier, 40 degree snow. 3 days.
Johannesberg Mountain, CJ Couloir and East Ridge, 3500' of 35-40 degree snow and 1500' of 4th class rock. This is an advanced climb! 3 days.
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| The Massive Johannesberg Mountain, June 2012. 30 minutes from the car, the CJ Couloir is the long left-leaning snow line to the deep notch in photo center. The East Ridge climbs up photo right to the summit. That is a long 4000' climb! |
Sahale Peak Express. 1 big day.
Sahale Peak, Quien Sabe Glacier, Intermediate. 2 days.
Sahale Peak, West Face, Advanced. 2 days.
Ptarmigan Traverse. Demands a full skill set, and be prepared for the hike out at the end! 5-7 days, depending on variations.
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| Sahale Peak, June 2012. The Quien Sabe Glacier runs down the broad slopes on the photo left. The West Face is the headwall in the center. Look close, and you can see the ski tracks down the West Face. |
Hope to see you in the mountains soon! - Chris
