May 29-01, Glacier Peak Wilderness

Skiing off the summit was our original intention, instead we got more the wholesome wildness experience: hiking through the old growth, camping on a high Alpine meadow, watching the sunsets and the full moon rise, etc.  Of course, some fantastic skiing from our high point of about 10k' down to the toe of Suiattle glacier at ~6000'.  Since it was a little cold and the clouds darker than we liked, we ended up attempting the summit too early and it was windy and icy above 10k'. None of us brought boot crampons (what's up with that!), it was an easy decision to turn around when skinning got too sketchy.  Anyway, Paul and I spend a nice extended weekend leaving a lot more to explore in the future.

-Wild flowers all around


-Sloan at sunset


-1st night at White Pass


We traveled over the White Mtn ridge and across White Chuck to camp at the Glacier Gap (7300')







-Some skiing down Suiattle Glacier




-After sunset from the camp


Sunday morning was a little cloudier.  Two skies passed by our camp around 5am, and motivated us to leave the camp before 7am.







-Fall line skiing down to Suiattle Glacier




-Interesting rock formation


-Up on Suiattle Gl back to the Gap


We then packed up, travel back to the White Pass.  The PM weather was clearer and warmer, i.e. maybe we could have skied off the summit if we had slept in for a late start?











It was really nice to spend enough days to enjoy the area.  More pics here (be warned of many greenery pics ;-).