July 20, 2008, Coleman Pinnacle

Amar, Victor and I gathered at the Artist Point parking lot to check out Coleman Pinnacle and Sholes Glacier. 
Amar had hoped with the immense snow fall at Baker over the winter that we might be able to enjoy a continuous skin from the car.  We were not as fortunate since the flanks of Table Mountain had largely melted so a short bit of walking ensued.

From the first saddle after a mile or so, we were able to skin the traverse and made our way to another saddle where we stopped to have a snack and assess the route.
One can drop to the south or, the north from here to make way toward Coleman Pinnacle around Ptarmigan Ridge.
We discussed the options and Amar noted the least gain and drop would be on the south, but I opted to drop and gain on the north side where chances of snowmelt and walking might not exist and quite simply I wanted to make some turns. Victor just wanted to go up as usual.

We began our traverse north around the ridge and at one point there was an opportunity to link some turns.  I took off my skins and bounced along the sun cups for a few turns then made my way to a knoll where I could return my skins to the bases. 
Off in the distance I noticed a herd of goat assembled on a steep slope of snow while others perched above them on a ridge faintly discernable against the lustrous blue sky. 
As we neared, our voices carried and appeared to have startled the goats.  Quickly they descended to a rock outcropping where they gathered to watch us.
No sooner my dog caught wind of the goats and began running up the slope toward them although still very far away.  I called for her as did Victor.  She had succumb to selective hearing and pressed on, until realizing the jaunt was too far she returned to us again.

We continued climbing and gathered to rest beyond Coleman Pinnacle at a saddle beset with resplendent views of the looming glaciers beyond. 
While eating lunch we discussed our options of skiing laps or, further traversing.  At this point my dog was quite tired having traveled 4.7 miles already and I was concerned she still had to make it back to the car and the idea of more distance for her would not be fair.
I opted to wait while Amar and Victor continued toward Sholes glacier.  Shasta tried to follow them until Amar told her to go back as I hiked away from our spot to coax her and she returned. 

In lush alpine grass I enjoyed rest and solitude while a soft breeze soothed the blazing rays of sun and a lone Hummingbird sought pollen in the sparse Lupin. 
Trickles of snow melt gathered in small pools while Robins shared their song adding melody to my vistas. 
I took some photos and did some writing, then hiked up the ridge to where we had seen the goats, finding numerous clumps of goat hair along the way. 

Two and a half hours later they returned and I was more than ready to make some turns before the tedious traverse back to the car.  Instead of staying high on our return route we enjoyed linking turns before traversing and enjoying more turns before ascending.  Once at the car we slipped into some fresh cotton before heading to Maple Falls for some beef and brews.