June 4, 2007, - Mt. Pilchuck

4 June - Still more fun to be had on Pilchuck.  The hiking trail is completely bare of snow for the first hour of climbing.  Be cautious when scrambling near the summit due to weakening snow over and around the boulders.  Scrambling on rock with alpine boots seemed the safe choice after punching through a couple times.  The SE gulley, Gunsight, is still holding some good snow although the fall line is much narrowed.  The last 100 feet that faces East/Southeast is melted out and requires another hairy scramble through the rock fall.  The climb out of the gulley is also challenging due to the steep pitch and lack of snow.  The run down the ridge was great...very surprising to find such good snow....maybe the overnight rains firmed things up with 1-2 inches of soft to carve through.  The trees down low are pretty much melted out and I wasted a lot of time bushwhacking while trying to find a way through. 
This might be the last week to ski off the summit ridge...get it while you can!