Home > Trip Reports > July 12-14, 2013, Glacier Peak Solo Weekend

July 12-14, 2013, Glacier Peak Solo Weekend

7/12/13
WA Cascades West Slopes Central
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Posted by skier8484 on 7/16/13 3:54pm
After a seriously debaucherous holiday weekend rafting the Wenatchee and Skykomish Rivers, I was eager to hit the reset button via a long weekend trip in the mountains.  A solo trip out to Glacier Peak seemed to be a logical choice given the distance and the fact I'd never been out that way.  The approach to White Pass is long, unless you enjoy hiking through lush, old growth forest:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G44I1a2zuHE/UeTEzW_D4-I/AAAAAAAAFkE/NcKPsajvA2s/w639-h961-no/Glacier+Peak-2.jpg" />

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OiyXH0-ZOzM/UeTHNaz-1xI/AAAAAAAAFlc/l4oMipcClDQ/w639-h961-no/Glacier+Peak-3.jpg" />



It poured rain hiking up the switchbacks to White Pass:





But the weather forecast held, and the predicted sun was out in full force Saturday morning.  Sloan Peak:



First view of Glacier Peak, still a long ways to go!



Scenics from the approach:





Ski lines:




Summit shots:




Time to ski!  Figured I'd go check out the Scimitar Glacier:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-djDw3qvJt6E/UeTF7svO-rI/AAAAAAAAFks/QJ65gpTa6Wg/w639-h961-no/Glacier+Peak-26.jpg" />

It was a little late in the season to make skiing the Scimitar make sense:


Damn near had a close encounter with some glacial ice:


I ended up skiing a mellow west facing line in nearly perfect corn until it flattened out.  Skinning was easy in the soft afternoon snow, and I was able to skin all the way back to the summit.  Looking down the Cool Glacier:


The Cool Glacier Headwall/Couloir was a little thin, so I opted for a chute skiers right for my second line of the day.  Great skiing on slightly over ripe corn:




I decided to spend my second night perched atop Disappointment Peak; a helluva place to camp in fair weather:


The evening was incredibly pleasant, with a sunset and view that spanned every major peak between Glacier and Rainier:




https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uJXu8zkoiF8/UeTJT5Tg-pI/AAAAAAAAFm4/soDjCGTa1GI/w638-h961-no/Glacier+Peak-43.jpg" />







7 hours later, sunrise on the Cool Glacier:


Tagged the summit a third time Sunday morning.  Rainier to the South:


Baker to the North:


Skied a fun line down to the Cool Glacier:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jP8DTu-2v98/UeTKsSGoCUI/AAAAAAAAFos/_cAndqOWDHc/w639-h961-no/Glacier+Peak-55.jpg" />

Parting shots:




Old growth gate:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JR1zuF1abII/UeTLk3O4x9I/AAAAAAAAFpQ/pmlSsy5leUg/w639-h961-no/Glacier+Peak-59.jpg" />

The hike back down the Sauk wasn't too painful, especially once back in the old growth where tall trees and rushing water made for a great ending to an awesome long weekend.
Wow what a weekend!  I went there solo once, but all I did was go up and back.  Nice work skiing multiple lines and spending an extra night near the top.  Great pictures.  Thanks for the report.

Nice work!  Great pictures.  I hiked into Mackinaw yesterday to meet some friends coming out from their ski - that old growth is really incredible.

Awesome photos and nice ski lines. I camped up on Disappointment earlier this season as well and it did not disappoint.

author=Kyle Miller link=topic=28995.msg122032#msg122032 date=1374077051]
Awesome photos and nice ski lines. I camped up on Disappointment earlier this season as well and it did not disappoint.


Thanks Kyle - some of your previous TRs from the Glacier Peak area were inspiration for both the camp spot and ski lines!

When we hiked out of our five day summit trip in via the PCT and the Sitkum Glacier on Saturday, we saw your solo ski registered in the trail head log. We indeed were a wee bit jealous you brought the skis.  Cheers to your success!

Great trip, TR, & pics. Thanks.

What a great trip, fantastic pictures to go with a wonderful collection of skied lines!

Hey there.  I was with a group of Women climbing last weekend too.  I was in the team of 3 who saw you on the way up, and there was a group of 5 that saw you on the way down.  You left your helmet up on the mountain, and one of them grabbed it for you.  I live in Bham too, so the plan was for me to bring it back.  Message me, and we can coordinate.  -Robin

very cool.  inspiring and will definitely serve to inform me when my turn comes! 

I like this TR! No hype and just some beautiful pics from a few days in the mountains.

Excellent photos and TR! Nice work

author=String link=topic=28995.msg122124#msg122124 date=1374686840]
I like this TR! No hype and just some beautiful pics from a few days in the mountains.
agreed on the style!


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july-12-14-2013-glacier-peak-solo-weekend
skier8484
2013-07-16 22:54:58