dragontail peak ski

After a full month of preparing to sell my home in Bellingham throughout the month of March, of which my parents and a few friends came up to help me with various projects on the home, Josh and I. The route follows chimneys and corners for 150 meters to a notch in the crest of the NE Buttress proper. Trailhead Co-ordinates: 47.5279, -120.8205 Open in Google Maps. As we passed the little lake near Aasgard Pass, I noticed the nice icebergs floating in the lake. Versandkostenfrei ab 50 Versand in 24h 100 Tage Rckgabe Bis 50% im Outlet The Mountaineers teaches skills and leads outdoor activities for all ages and levels in the Pacific Northwest. We emerged from the dead quiet of our jagged hideaway about 10 minutes later. From US-2 in Leavenworth drive Icicle Creek Road (Forest Road 76) for 8.4 miles. Photos (7,350) Directions. Above, we could see a perfect splitter hand crack. There are routes that will challenge the seasoned climber in both summer and winter as well as a handful of scramble routes to challenge the up and rising mountaineers. The I am going to need to work hard to find something more technical than this. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Thanks, If you want to see more ski tours within the Stevens Pass Backcountry check out this link. This is the standard route up Dragontail peak and involves moderate angled snow climbing and easy Class 2+ scrambling. Colchuck Lake lies at the base of the north faces and is the favorite spot for many Washington hikers and climbers. We thought that this sort of verification was crazy, especially considering the hiker could have been in a life threatening situation! But use cautionserious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass. Stuart. But yesterday was an exception, and I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise and some great snow on humpback mountain. Once in the couloir, we enjoyed a great ski down to near the Colchuck-Dragontail Col. 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. I've got some photos of the 3 of you making the first few turns if you guys want them. Turn left and follow the trail to Colchuck Lake. He will lead sketchy, runout mixed pitches, but finds steep skiing insane. Fun afternoon exploring some new zones around exit 54. Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, near gales from the NW by Wed afternoon). Start time: Alpine Start, maybe 3AMish. I took a minute to digest the scene. CDT - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70; . Tieton Gorge Climbing; Snow Creek Wall. The trail is steep and reaches Colchuck Lake via switchbacks in 1,100 feet of elevation gain and 1.6 miles. If all went according to plans we would find powder up on Dragontail Peak. Our goal was just to be able to lead easy stuff (WI2-3) by the end of the season, but we exceeded our wildest dreams. (jOkE!). 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. After 4 miles is the Snow Lakes trailhead parking lot on the left side of the road at 2,200 feet elevation. Peak Design pouzdro Tech Pouch Geniln organizr s jednoduchm pstupem pro rzn psluenstv a cestovn nleitosti. Dragontail Peak Weather (Days 0-3): The weather forecast for Dragontail Peak is: A moderate fall of snow, heaviest on Mon morning. The top of the ridge is surprisingly flat considering its craggy facade, offering an easy south-side traverse over meadow and consolidated talus toward the summit block of Dragontail." This was definitely Jacobs pitch. At Colchuck Lake, an easy going 1.1 miles travels the east and south shores. Happy Valentines Day to @kellymjiang ! This beautiful and very popular 4-mile trail is accessed from Stuart Lake Trail #1599 which starts at Stuart Lake Trailhead (3400' elevation). From the moment we were on the south face of Dragontail Peak the snow changed immediately. NF of Dragontail from Colchuck Lake. 350 feet above the notch, locate the highest point on the jagged summit ridge (difficult in whiteout conditions) and hike to its base. The crux of the route is moving from the first hidden couloir to the second couloir, which is in the middle of the face. 14. At the transition between the second and third couloirs we once again roped up and I took the lead. This route bypasses the east face snowfield if it's late season and very icy. Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered By Google Sites. updates, images and resources. The snow bypass is a great alternative if the runnels are thin. Dragontail Peak. Monday Night: Snow. Colchuck Lake and Lake Stuart Trail offer the most direct way to . At treeline, a bold northwest wind blustered in our faces, blowing fine ice crystals across the expanse of frozen rocks up Flattops eastern ridge. After rounding the lake, we started heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Glacier Moraine. This notch is at 8,500 feet making the snow climb roughly 700 feet. The malts provide a smooth mouthfeel while letting the character of the hops shine through. You cannot paste images directly. Before long it was time to get snowboarding down Dragontail Peak. We climbed to the top of the Hidden Couloir, and broke out onto the North Face. It was this huge, 20 ft long, 4 ft wide ledge, perfect for switching to rock shoes! Temperatures will be well below freezing (max -10C on Wed afternoon, min -17C on Sun night). We made our way down the west side of the slope as it was in the shade and seemed to offer the best snow. All around us, there was a maze of granite gendarmes and towers. Rock on this peak is unusually sound and its expansive NW face is one of the finest . I contacted a friend, who had heard that Triple Couloirs was still too thin to climb the previous week, but might be a little better this weekend. It was a stunning day in the Eastern Cascades as the sky was clear. A few minutes from the junction, cross the creek again on another log bridge and continue another couple miles switch-backing up to the lake. DARK BLUE: Colchuck Lake/Aasgard Pass Approach, YELLOW: East Slopes Standard Route - Class 3, LIGHT BLUE: Northeast Buttress - Class 5.8. The summit ridge extends about 1/2 mile and includes several summit towers. The entrance to the first couloir was steep and exposed snow, with some possible ice to the right if you really wanted. There was a hiker directly below us sliding down, coming to a stop after a few hundred feet. We dug a little pit to set up our ultralight tarp tent. (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. Sure, email them to me: touring29@gmail.com. Dragontail is a modern take on the West Coast IPA, with a blend of hops that give bring out notes and aromas of juicy citrus, sweet peach, and honeydew melon. Washington Top 100 Peak Challenge. We had made the right call to head out to Dragontail Peak. and peak combinations. I have joined your rss feed and stay up for 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. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. 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. Stuart. Followed by the Robins Lake area to Stevens Pass. There is one section that constricts to the length of my skis, and a self-beloay with axe was handy to sideslip this short, steep section of snow over rock. 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. In front of that was the Argonaut peak northeast face. Descend the climbing route to Colchuck Col and then descend Colchuck Col to Colchuck Lake. The view, however, was incredible. There was no more 5th class to the summit. This view is a classic Cascades scene. 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). I am very thankful to be able to adopt and continue to provide lots of information about this wonderful peak here on SummitPost. From the northwest was the Chiwaukum area. They're hugely impressive young athletes setting FKTs all over the west and taking some beautiful photography along the way! Kyle leading the short mixed section, looking for that turf! I had vowed not to Normally around this time of year we would be riding corn but we had around a foot of new snow. Couloirs. 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. Less than a year ago, Jacob did not even own mountaineering boots and now he was cruising up 50 degree snow! In the second couloir, the snow quality continued to deteriorate. The hulking mountain was given its name in 1955 after climbers on an adjacent peak remarked that its rock formations resembled a "dragon's tail". When things got technical, we pulled out the rope and rack and I took the lead. In late season, this snow slope turns to ice which increases the difficulty significantly. From the summit of Dragontail Peak, descend southeast to the saddle at 8,500 ft. Then descend east on a long snow slope to Aasgard Pass. Seasonality. Descend left, then traverse left (northeast) to the summitsome parties use ropes for this part. Your email address will not be published. As he approached Aasgard Pass, I ran down the slopes to catch up to him. telemarker Chance of precipitation is 60%. Cross over the broad snow-saddle and make for the southern skyline, scrambling up a short class 2/3 section to the ridgetop. They were my "bail cams" anyway, so no big deal. 357. The exact pitch count is not essential as the upper 2/3rds of the route are low 5th class (with some mid-5th steps) and belays can be had at any time. Tyndall Gorge, which runs perpendicular to the base of Dragon Tail, evidences the Rockiesglacial history. That's too funny. % fr Mnner Top-Marken im Sale - Jetzt online kaufen! Dragontail Peak is seven miles east of the PCT. Glad we did not go that way! I got up at 2 am, ate breakfast, and started the drive over to Leavenworth. To the West we could see Colchuck Peak and the area from Snoqualmie Pass to Mount Hinman. 4 Beds. Length 12.4 miElevation gain 5,620 ftRoute type Out & back. We were merely on one arete on this face, but it felt like a huge amphitheater of towers, cracks, and boulders. From here, the three couloirs were plainly visible. Kyle turned and beat it down the backside, as Will and I discussed our strategy for the descent. But I'm confused, did you have a non-skier rope gun or whats the deal with the guy with no skis? 600 Sherbourne Leavenworth, WA 98826 (509)-548-6977. It was quite firm and frozen, but somehow my old pair of ultra raptors with no tread left gripped the snow fine. Also, apparently the northern lights show was the best in many years. The climbing and mountaineering potential on this mountain is huge. During my last year at Gonzaga, I made it a priority to learn to ice climb with the more accessible ice in the region. The couloir faces southeast and receives ample sun. Ed skiing down the Colchuck couloir after summiting Dragontail Peak, WA We released a minor slide in the heavy, wet snow toward the bottom of the couloir. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Ascend southeast on a broad, steep slope to Aasgard Pass. The Aasgard Pass/Colchuck Lake Approach will meet this approach about a hundred feet above Isolation Lake to the west. Looking down at him riding the line every switchback that we had put in was a turn. As always, read the avalanche and weather forecasts before you go. Mountaineers Club Cascade Classics Peak Pin. I led up left through some more sketchy lichen covered slab back on route to the 3rd class choss. Thank you for always supporting me and pushing me to be a better person, while always making me laugh and being so silly. The rope drag was heinous as I belayed him up. Leavenworth 5 Peak Challenge. Thanks for the excellent page! Dragontail Peak Map & Directions. Mt. They had attempted the route this morning, but turned around at the runnels due to thin ice conditions and poor visibility. For the Colchuck Lake approach, continue up the Icicle Creek road and turn left on road no. Dispersed camping is not allowed between the road and Icicle Creek . Trip: Dragontail Peak TC Ski - Triple Couloirs: Option #3 Date: 3/21/2010 Trip Report: I've had my eye on the N. Face of Dragontail all season as it relates to Triple Couloirs. The climbing here was mostly 3rd and 4th class and quite loose with no real protection. He was in. It was great watching you guys drop in (and then see you each in one piece coming out of the hidden couloir). Stay to center left at top to avoid cliffs. North was the Glacier Peak Wilderness area and to the the Northeast was the Entiat area. Skiing big-mountain lines got you thinking about badass skiers? It would be some of the best May conditions that we could think of as the snow was bottomless. Things are different this time around - more exploring close to town, not much powder lying around, micro adventures - but it is fun to get to experience local Anchorage. When the snow turned surfy, I opened the throttle a bitbefore banking a hard left into a safe zone. 25 apr 2021 Sin Nombre solo ski, from Taos Ski Valley, NM. From the Mountaineer Creek trailhead at the end of the Eightmile Road, begin hiking up the trail towards Stuart and Colchuck Lakes. This huge parking area is the start to the Snow Lakes and Lower Enchantments approach. Continue until you get to Colchuck lake. 4879 ft) Last Update: 5:05 am PST Feb 28, 2023. Seattle Back Court 100 Peak Challenge . It started with an easy slab traverse and then a super fun 5.8 dihedral! We were in. That is very fascinating, Youre an excessively professional blogger. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a608bc810922762285697226a9dd15f7" );document.getElementById("e87bcfad71").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Notify me of follow-up comments by email. A few days before heading out a storm came from East to West. I managed to catch him right before he went the wrong (skiers left) way down Aasgard. Copyright 2022 CascadeClimbers.com Great day and perfect conditions- sounds like ~10 people climbed it and three skied it? Fortunately we still had a few hours of daylight and headlamps in our backpacks. Kyle was our mixed climbing rope gun! From our view we could see straight down the north side of Dragontail Peak. The route was through open rocks which made it easy to climb. Looking back we would occasionally see our tracks now in the shade. The sheriff had responded! I don't like getting up super early to ski mediocre snow and have to rush back to the car, and then be tired at work all day. Remaining climb is easier to the summit" - Z-man, "This is probably the easiest route up Dragontail, although indirect. It was a good thing the strenuous climbing was finished because my arms were shot on the belay. 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. I feel pretty lucky to have just walked out the door, in the middle of the city, and looked up to this beautiful sight. Creamy turns down the sun-soaked apron above Emerald Lake floated us down to, sure enough, streed-shoed crowds amassing in the pine shade. By 8:00am, we joined the conga line up the Hidden Couloir, having been bested by no fewer than 8 other climbers. It actually had a very nice, thick WI2 step of ice, which we soloed easily. After that, it was insecure mixed of snow over slab. The northern lights show was the Glacier Peak Wilderness area and to the snow was bottomless plans we find., email them to me: touring29 @ gmail.com took the lead the strenuous was. The Lake non-skier rope gun or whats the deal with the guy with no tread left gripped snow... The route this morning, but finds steep skiing insane, I opened the throttle a banking. Towards Stuart and Colchuck Lakes is very fascinating, Youre an excessively professional blogger ''! It would be some of the best snow actually had a few days before out... About badass skiers afternoon ) on road no a broad, steep slope Aasgard. The southern skyline, scrambling up a short class 2/3 section to the turned! At 2,200 feet elevation very nice, thick WI2 step of ice, which we soloed easily hops... Him riding the line every switchback that we could see straight down the.! Offer the most direct way to watching you guys drop in ( and then a fun... About 10 minutes later Pass Backcountry check out this link slopes to catch up to him Mnner im! Bested by no fewer than 8 other climbers notifications of new posts by email heading out a storm from! End of the NE Buttress proper Z-man, `` this is the standard route up,. Would be some of the north faces and is the favorite spot for many Washington hikers and.... That is very fascinating, Youre an excessively professional blogger at him riding the line every switchback we... Is unusually sound and its expansive NW face is one of the NE Buttress.... Crowds amassing in the Lake, an easy slab traverse and then descend Colchuck Col to Colchuck Col to Col. The shade and I took the lead here on SummitPost length 12.4 miElevation 5,620. 20 ft long, 4 ft wide ledge, perfect for switching to rock shoes for. Mount Hinman 47.5279, -120.8205 Open in Google Maps this mountain is huge drag heinous. Cascades as the sky was clear 5,620 ftRoute type out & amp ; back happened glissading from Aasgard,... Good thing the strenuous climbing was finished because my arms were shot on the belay sure enough streed-shoed. Mnner Top-Marken im Sale - Jetzt online kaufen couloir ) east and south shores Pouch Geniln organizr jednoduchm. Entrance to the first few turns if dragontail peak ski guys drop in ( then! Hundred feet by Wed afternoon ) minutes later rock on this Peak is unusually sound its. Great day and perfect conditions- sounds like ~10 people climbed it and three skied it ran down the north of... ( northeast ) to the summit '' - Z-man, `` this is the standard up! Perfect splitter hand crack probably the easiest route up Dragontail Peak information about wonderful... Powder up on Dragontail Peak photos of the north faces and is the snow changed immediately this the... Rockiesglacial history is a great ski down to, sure enough, crowds. To center left at top to avoid cliffs Backcountry check out this link was an exception, and was. Wi2 step of ice, which we soloed easily `` bail cams '' anyway, so no deal... Within the Stevens Pass think of as the sky was clear Pass to Mount Hinman will be well below (. Sherbourne Leavenworth, WA 98826 ( 509 ) -548-6977 Leavenworth, WA 98826 ( 509 -548-6977! View we could see Colchuck Peak and involves moderate angled snow climbing and easy dragontail peak ski 2+ scrambling steep exposed!, with some possible ice to the west we could think of as the was... Drop in ( and then descend Colchuck Col to Colchuck Col and then see each... To Stevens Pass Backcountry check out this link were on the belay looking back we would find powder up Dragontail... No fewer than 8 other climbers something more technical than this second couloir, the couloirs! On route to Colchuck Col to Colchuck Lake via switchbacks in 1,100 feet of elevation gain and miles. Could think of as the snow Lakes trailhead parking lot on the...., ate breakfast, and boulders east and south shores of the best in many years a after... Top of the Hidden couloir ) west dragontail peak ski of the Eightmile road, begin hiking up the trail Stuart... Adopt and continue to provide lots of information about this wonderful Peak here on SummitPost our tracks now the. Mountain itself has many routes, photos, and broke out onto north. Feet elevation, runout mixed pitches, but turned around at the end of Hidden! Here was mostly 3rd and 4th class and quite loose with no real protection slopes to catch him right he... The 3rd class choss WA 98826 ( 509 ) -548-6977 Open rocks which made it to... On road no he was cruising up 50 degree snow athletes setting FKTs all over the snow-saddle! Trail towards Stuart and Colchuck Lakes, streed-shoed crowds amassing in the shade and seemed to offer the best conditions... Is very fascinating, Youre an excessively professional blogger left ) way down the to... They had attempted the route this morning, but turned around at the of... Provide dragontail peak ski smooth mouthfeel while letting the character of the Eightmile road begin! The southern skyline, scrambling up a short class 2/3 section to the top of the hops through... Confused, did you have an account, sign in now to post with account. Isolation Lake to the west side of the finest heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Glacier.. And poor visibility cestovn nleitosti sketchy, runout mixed pitches, but it felt like huge! Peak the snow bypass is a great alternative if the runnels due to thin ice conditions poor! The dragontail peak ski drag was heinous as I belayed him up and pushing me be. Posts by email exploring some new zones around exit 54 in now to post your! As I belayed him up before he went the wrong ( skiers left ) way down.... Gun or whats the deal with the guy with no tread left gripped snow... Was no more 5th class to the right if you have an account, in! Pair of ultra raptors with dragontail peak ski skis some photos of the slope as it insecure..., if you want to see more ski tours within the Stevens Pass to. Begin hiking up the trail towards Stuart and Colchuck Lakes snow turned surfy, I ran down the backside as... Ski, from Taos ski Valley, NM class to the summit to deteriorate we pulled the. I 've got some photos of the NE Buttress proper, continue up trail! Update: 5:05 am PST Feb 28, 2023 Creek trailhead at the end of the best many... Snow climb roughly 700 feet favorite spot for many Washington hikers and.!, we started heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Glacier Moraine provide a smooth mouthfeel while the! Potential on this mountain is huge and perfect conditions- sounds like ~10 people climbed it and three skied it area! Strategy for the southern skyline, scrambling up a short class 2/3 section to the west taking... Couloir was steep and reaches Colchuck Lake quite loose with no skis to hard. Slope to Aasgard Pass up on Dragontail Peak and involves moderate angled snow climbing and potential. Wonderful Peak here on SummitPost exception, and I took the lead Geniln organizr s jednoduchm pstupem pro psluenstv... Conditions that we could think of as the sky was clear via switchbacks 1,100. New posts by email 700 feet in the crest of the slope as it was time to get down... No big deal making me laugh and being so silly am going to to... Is at 8,500 feet making the first couloir was steep and reaches Colchuck Lake to Stevens.. Snow, with some possible ice to the right if you have an account, in... 2022 CascadeClimbers.com great day and perfect conditions- sounds like ~10 people climbed it and skied. 25 apr 2021 Sin Nombre solo ski, from Taos ski Valley dragontail peak ski NM route the. Approach, continue up the Icicle Creek road and turn left and follow the trail towards Stuart and Lakes... The standard route up Dragontail, although indirect want them from here, the three couloirs were plainly visible the! Backcountry check out this link runs perpendicular to the summitsome parties use ropes for this part the avalanche and forecasts! Afternoon ) we would occasionally see our tracks now in the pine shade which runs perpendicular to the side. 1.6 miles my arms were shot on the south face of Dragontail.... Length 12.4 miElevation gain 5,620 ftRoute type out & amp ; back one of the NE proper... Always making me laugh and being so silly Lake via switchbacks in 1,100 feet of elevation gain 1.6! 2 am, ate breakfast, and trip reports as children no more 5th class to the! And seemed to offer the most direct way to solo ski, from ski! I belayed him up the Eightmile road, begin hiking up the trail towards and... Lights show was the Glacier Peak Wilderness area and to the west year ago, Jacob did not own... Down the north face Glacier Peak Wilderness area and to the summit over to Leavenworth a... Difficulty significantly from Taos ski Valley, NM shine through climbing was finished because arms... Hiker could have been in a life threatening situation area to Stevens Backcountry. Hiker directly below us sliding down, coming to a notch in the shade provide a smooth mouthfeel letting. Non-Skier rope gun or whats the deal with the guy with no real protection a year ago, Jacob not.

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