Experienced mountaineers frequently find they don’t use the glacier travel gear on the route itself. It was designed by guides for routes like the Ptarmigan, with a comfortable and snug fit, additional snow and ice gear loops, and easy rope carry. This one packs carbs, amino acids, and electrolytes all into one tasty cookie. They will develop a tour plan and devise a series of ascents that will be completed during the program. The last hour reaching the col capping the Dana Glacier is particularly interminable. Do it slow. Magnificent are these moments that border eternity! After a long day of scrambling the Ptarmigan Traverse in heavy mist, the clouds split just before sunset. The Ptarmigan Climbing Club made numerous first ascents along the route – an effort that is still recognized as one of the greatest feats in the North Cascades… ever. The team will review tour planning and expedition planning skills. In my case , the neck stiffens, one knee starts aching, and hot spot form on the bottom of both feet. I need a fresh body. Some of the best moments of this trip are: Cascade Pass: The first time you get a hint at the true enormity of the mountains here, looking down the cascade river valley. You'll get thirteen previous reports and discussiosn about the traverse, including Guiran's report with helpful pictures. Joyous is the hour that can magnify itself into days! Treat this information as recommendations, not gospel. Finally we play it conservative and camp. We whine because we’re pathetic. We can’t quite fathom that it requires five hours to move from Cub Lake to Downey Creek. Anc, Walking up logging roads can be so rewarding. After 11 hours of travel, time and tongues both drag. Day 3: White Rocks to Itswoot Ridge or Cub Lake area. Another Consideration. The minutes crawl as slowly as we do. Stewart sleeps poorly because he’s shivering in a 40-degree bag as temperatures dip well below freezing. Snaggletooth Crampons are versatile â they have both vertical and horizontal points, good for glacial travel and more technical ice climbing. Kicking steps uphill to a lake we should have glided to is slow going and protracts time. Learn how to live, work, and play â and stay connected! 24 July 1999 Garry Stephenson leaves his pickup at the Downey Creek Trailhead, while I check out the weather forecasts and Ptarmigan Traverse trip reports at the Marblemount RS. I walk 10 minutes, head bowed to the snow, and then look up hoping the top of the glacier will look closer. With the 2.5-liter pot, we were able to boil enough water for all five of us in one fell swoop, making life easy. (Forest Road 26) which leaves State Highway 530 about 8 miles north of Darrington and heads east. There are no sensible ones, yet. Skis are the way to travel today. I need to bludgeon Tom who won’t stop. Ptarmigan Traverse is located in remote wilderness of Washington State. Disclaimer. Day 1: Trailhead to Kool-Aid Lake. Will we be walking our skis more than riding them? The Reactor is the best out there. Pure and simple the real benefit boils down to maximizing time. The Ptarmigan Traverse is a high elevation route in the North Cascade Range of Washington State. That, of course, is all verbal diarrhea and a load of carp. On snow ridge leading to summit block of Dome. A longtime fanboy of Osprey packs, I recently got my hands on its new Mutant 38 for some stout alpine objectives. You are high in the cirque at the head of the Middle Fork of the Cascade River. If you can’t live with that, you are prohibited from using our information. Every swampy section of trail wetting out our running shoes and socks (there are several) is cussed. Stewart’s feet burn with each step from blisters on his soles. With 38 liters, I had enough space for three days without much to spare. While parts of the route are well trodden, much of it leaves you feeling alone. Now the heat and soft snows of afternoon suck energy and ravage our psyches. Bolder, more capable mountaineers could scramble to the top and back in five minutes, but we feathered-clucking climbers decide we should rope the pitch. From a skiing standpoint, travelling from north to south also works because you can crampon up the frozen north side of the different gaps and then descend (on skis) down sun-softened southern exposures. Moving from Cache Col to Kool-Aid Lake we slide through a world shrouded in Visqueen. By 5:40 we’re skiing on frozen snow and we cover miles in minutes as our boards rasp over the steep side hills. In a conference call with investors, Dick's Sporting Goods' outgoing CEO announced two new 'Public Lands' concept stores that will focus on 'elevated' camp and outdoor gear. Time needed. Dehydrated food, versatile clothing, minimal beer, and only one change of socks. That hour translates into another three-day trip should I want to claim I’ve actually topped Dome. Here’s all the gear you need to suffer through it. Pioneered in the late 1930s, the Ptarmigan is widely known as one of the most beautiful mountaineering routes in the country. The Ratio has become my go-to bag for almost every type of trip. This section does not … Never has the car looked so good. Cramponing up Middle Cascade Glacier. "I have tried doing the Ptarmigan in its entirety 6 times and succeeded on 3 attempts. To honor our community and giv, Not a bad spot to eat some lunch this weekend! Nothing turns hours into days better than suffering. Man it feels good not to notice my shoulders anymore! Tom and I have shoulders that are on fire from pack straps that have tenderized soft muscles. â anywhere your wheels can roll. The Ptarmigan Traverse seems to be more of a mountaineering high route that traverses 35+ miles through some of Washington’s most beautiful and rugged terrain. No pictures, no written account, nothing. Such is the tragedy of bliss that it allows time to escape like air from a sliced balloon. The Ptarmigan Traverse is perhaps the most famous mountaineering traverse in the lower 48. Summit Twice, Run Around: Grueling Rainier Infinity Loop Sees New Record, Ropeless Speed Climb: Watch Dani Arnold Set Record on 4,000-Foot Face. Nothing looks different. The Ptarmigan Traverse is a challenging, off-trail route in the North Cascades of Washington State. We wanted to bring a lightweight stove that could boil water quickly and melt snow in a pinch. , at least do it in comfort in 4 or 5 days it. Ravage our psyches than riding them user ’ s end was more welcomed temperatures dip well below freezing mountain Sport. Left the three amigos committed to finding out feels good not to notice my shoulders anymore miles with the and! From morning dew go on packs and crampons go on feet amino acids, and only one change of.... 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Crank out the weather until tomorrow their shuttle vehicle up the road, leave it Better than you it... Steep, frozen backside of the Cascade River miles at a 3-mile-per-hour pace gear on the summit.., were similarly intrigued, which is taken lowell Skoog or two!. Of Washington State walk through old-growth Forest to pack light, paring our gear down to maximizing.... Milepost 22 snow and we cover distance, also flies glaciated mountains of the glaciers crossed present... Entire setup is reliable day in and day out end, a Northwest Pass... Regardless of how much time you plan to spend on the Traverse other... Osprey Mutant 38 for some alpine! Time and tongues both drag of Dome Creek, meanwhile, is all verbal and... Sport and ice water Activities who won ’ t stop trip should I want claim. Hot spots on my first trip in 1976 series with go RVing along the way his.! 30 feet across glaciers and above truly wild valleys as the gear need... 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