Kyle leading the short mixed section, looking for that turf! Located in one of the most popular areas in the state, solitude is hard to come by but the area is so beautiful it just has to be climbed. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. We efficiently switched between simuling and brief short pitching to protect the more challenging sections. Instead, when they arrived at the hikers, they just asked us if we had an ability to call for an evacuation. As the weekend approached, we zeroed in on the Colchuck Lake area for possible climbs. We were in. But eventually, they landed on the flat part of the Colchuck Moraine, so we are guessing they found someone to rescue and were just figuring out how to pick them up. We got back to the car in the evening, logging a total time of about 13:45, pretty solid considering we were moving casually, dealt with the rescue, had to route find a lot, and I even went swimming! Stuart. Although three straight days of sun at this time of year might be an anomaly . However I believe that the dates where overnight permits are required are incorrect. Colchuck Lake lies at the base of the north faces and is the favorite spot for many Washington hikers and climbers. For a more challenging outing, combine climbs or scrambles of Colchuck and Dragontail Peaks. Who skied it better? Great! Excellent page - very helpful. Fun afternoon exploring some new zones around exit 54. Now the weekend, there were more campers arriving. Your previous content has been restored. | Download for iOS | Download for Android, A lengthy and difficult hike up an iconic peak inside the Enchantments. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Unfortunately none of them had satellite messenger capabilities. Once making our way across the lake we could see both Jeff and Scott breaking the skin track. See above for approach descriptions. The snow was a little funky down the Snow Creek Glacier, but we got some decent boot skiing in. From the Snow Lakes trailhead, hike the long Snow Lakes trail passing the Snow Creek Wall, on the left, continuing around the north side of Nada Lake and reaching lower Snow Lake after about 6 miles at 5,430 feet. In the upper half of the pitch, I kept wandering upwards, eventually running out of rope and needing Jacob to simul a few feet to make a belay. It was strange to see others with the same intent on the same day, conincidentally. Thank you! Permit season ends on October 15th and you will always find many people camping in the Enchantments Basin the weekend after October 15th hoping to catch the larches on their waning stages. Both approaches are reached via the Icicle Creek road south of Leavenworth. 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. Selected Winter/Spring routes (approximate) above Colchuck Lake. Beautiful 2000 square foot, 4-bedroom single-story home with a 3-car garage, granite kitchen counters, and tile throughout the wet areas. It started with an easy slab traverse and then a super fun 5.8 dihedral! I've got some photos of the 3 of you making the first few turns if you guys want them. In the style of the first descentist, we rapped with skis on, and proceeded down the wind-scoured snow of the N. Face to the top of the Hidden Couloir. The couloirsfeatures makekeeping all members of your group within sight at all times tricky. Once at the notch, continue across a short ways and turn right. But whatever, it's not like waiting in line on Outer Space. App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead. From Aasgard Pass descend to Colchuck Lake. We crossed to a rock island and followed fourth class ledges up to a higher snow finger. Thanks to @brigettetakeuchi for allowing me to be the ski subject for once and getting this sick capture. Some of the text below was written by Bob. At least the endless windboard is par for the course! Camping is permitted in the Snow Lakes, Enchantment Lakes, and Colchuck Lake area only if you possess the required overnight permit. and extended the rescue for so much longer. Seattle, WA 98104. An afternoon of mellow touring in low visibility and soft snow gave way to high bluebird skies on the morning of ourDragon Tail lap. From here, the three couloirs were plainly visible. Dragontail Peak. Be sure tostart early. Its just chossy scrambling from there. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/dragontail-peak, https://www.wta.org/@@site-logo/wta-logo.png, Summer Trail Work: Be Ready for WTA's Backcountry Trips. 14. Incredibly enough, there were yet another two climber/skiers intending to ski the TC's too, but later bailed down the backside. Our route out was brutal as we battled the thick forests. This route is done using the Colchuck Lake approach. Just outside of Leavenworth we set up our tents at 8 mile campground and planned the next day. Ascend snow (early season) or talus to glacier (no crevasses but can be icy by mid-season) and follow glacier to Colchuck Col. A couple of hundred feet left (east) of Colchuck Col, ascend the couloir to a notch in the ridge (Pandora's Box). 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. Skiing steep terrain in soft snow feels electric. Park at the end of the road and begin hiking on the Mt. See Red Tape. Dragontail Peak via Stuart Lake Trail. I took a minute to digest the scene. Sure, email them to me: touring29@gmail.com. Note that routefinding to Colchuck Col can be trickylook back on the ascent and make notes for the descent. The surroundings mark one of the states most iconic places. If Dragon Tail ends up being your first foray into skiing big lines in the Bear Lake area, expect to be hooked by theaesthetics and the intricacies of the topography. If still snow covered, beware of avalanche danger and choose the best route to the pass. This ascent from Colchuck Lake gains 2,200 feet in 3/4 of a mile! Our plan was to climb Dragontail Peak by the Serpentine Arete car-to-car from the Colchuck Lake Trailhead on Thursday, August 31. Looks like fun. Remaining climb is easier to the summit" - Z-man, "This is probably the easiest route up Dragontail, although indirect. Not wanting to commit to the three 60m raps down the un-ice runnels between the 2nd and Hidden couloirs, I discovered the following option for the ascent and descent. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Shuksan (15 ascents via 3 routes) Slesse Mountain (Northeast Buttress) Eldorado Peak (NW Face Couloir, Northeast Face and East Ridge) Forbidden Peak (West Ridge, East Ridge, North Ridge, NW Face) Dragontail Peak (Triple Couloirs, Backbone Ridge, Serpentine Arete) Mount Rainier. From Aasgard Pass (7,800 ft), ascend southwest up the slope to the saddle at 8,500 ft. From the saddle, ascend northwest about 300 feet to the summit. I finally got this ski off my chest, having thought about it all season. Thanks for the support of Western Washington Honda Dealers and our other corporate sponsors. It was really unfortunate. We were able to make the best out of conditions finding both powder and corn. @heinelogan or @samchaneles ? We all made tentative turns as it was quite icy from the get-go. Anyone whos hiked the three and a half miles out and back to Emerald Lake knows the couloir looks impressive, even ominous. Your email address will not be published. To the west we had a good view of the Alpine Lake Wilderness. Notes. He will lead sketchy, runout mixed pitches, but finds steep skiing insane. This notch is at 8,500 feet making the snow climb roughly 700 feet. 4 Beds. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. Clear editor. To the West we could see Colchuck Peak and the area from Snoqualmie Pass to Mount Hinman. Past the arete a ledge system is gained trending Southwest, paralleling the buttress 100 meters or so below the crest. Fresh snow at the base of the summit block, Dragontail Peak from Aasgard Pass with the standard route heading up the large snowfield to the notch at center-right. P.O. Tieton Gorge Climbing; Snow Creek Wall. The postholing was annoying, but we chose not to bring traction. While the climbing is not exceptional (only two really good pitches out of like 15), the position and scenery on Serpentine Arete was fantastic. SOLD JUN 14, 2022. We had been told by the reporting party that the climbers were on the Serpentine Arete on Dragontail peak and that one was a competent 5.9 climber; the other climbed at 5.7. 2 talking about this. Way to make it happen! Your link has been automatically embedded. Who skied it better? The rest of the route was generally 3rd to mid 5th class, so we switched to a 30 m spacing and started simul climbing. I prefer getting my work done, heading up in no rush, catching the sunset, and skiing in the dark. Below us was going to be an adventure as the trail was hard to find. I stuck more to the face, trusting my picks in super thin ice. Some of us had to work this weekend, so thanks for the vicarious dose of alpine life. My calves were burning at this point but just continued up and eventually made it through. Print/PDF map. Washington Top 100 Peak Challenge. Its northwest face is almost a mile wide and 3000 feet high. Rope, Headlamp, Ski Poles, Tent Camp: Ascent Part of Trip: Dragontail Colchuck, Labor Day 2021 (2 nights total away from roads) Complete Trip Sequence: Order: Peak/Point: Date: Gain: 1: Dragontail Peak: 2021-09-04 : 1: Colchuck Peak: 2021-09-04 : GPS Data for Ascent/Trip. As we passed the little lake near Aasgard Pass, I noticed the nice icebergs floating in the lake. I led the next pitch, a 5.7 off width which did not really have any off width moves, and traversed the ledge that wraps around to the right side of the tower. I've had my eye on the N. Face of Dragontail all season as it relates to Triple Couloirs. I'm stoked to be back in Alaska! Trail steepens after the bridge and at 2.5 miles the junction with Colchuck Lake Trail is . You can post now and register later. CDT - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70; Grays Peak. We thought that this sort of verification was crazy, especially considering the hiker could have been in a life threatening situation! Ski all the lines like this in Colorado, and the addiction would barely peak. Dragontail Peak and Little Annapurna are two Bulger List peaks inside The Enchantments of Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Pasted as rich text. Eventually, I had to try to find a slightly different way up because I could not fit in the chimney. We packed our gear and were on the trail by 7:00 AM. Tim and I were actually #1 and 2 ahead of Shannon and Yuri- they broke trail up to the TCs and up Couloir #1, then Tim and I took over from the bottom of #2 to the summit. It had went from powder snow to wet slush with the sun beating down on us. with all respect to Ross (and Dan), climbing and skiing the TC is THE aesthetic choice in my eyes. Great day and perfect conditions- sounds like ~10 people climbed it and three skied it? At this time, Dan Helmstadtler popped up on the summit with intentions to ski TC's as well. We waited around at the top of the TC's for the another two hours for the other three parties to top out, so as not to bombard them with our slough. Northwest Mountain School. Skinning the snow creek glaciers was a bit of a chore as the sun had turned the snow to glop and an incredible amount began balling up on my skins, once on the south side of dragontail I was so tired of the snow balling that I carried my skis for the final couple hundred feet or so. The top is about 30-35 degrees, and about 3/4 the way down there's a steeper roll, around 38 to maybe . Dragontail Peak is the second highest summit in the Stuart Range of the Cascade Range, a little over three miles east of the massive pyramid of Mount Stuart. They had attempted the route this morning, but turned around at the runnels due to thin ice conditions and poor visibility. It was not too cold, which is usually a bad sign for an ice and snow climb like this. Reach Leavenworth by driving US 2 east from Everett or west from Wenatchee. It actually had a very nice, thick WI2 step of ice, which we soloed easily. good to see more skiers being drawn to that classic route. The areas popularity, and Dragon Tails skier magnetism, highlight a couple points to keep in mind when you plan your own trip. However, the steep north face of Dragontail would keep the route out of the sun all day. Your email address will not be published. For Colorado adventure skiers, springtime means hunting season. He climbed some rock hit him in the knee, which is why he fell in the first place! Andy and Jeff had climbed it just the weekend prior. Thanks! If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. The Enchantments, Wenatchee River Ranger District (OWNF), Basic Alpine Climb, Strenuous 4, Technical 4, Strenuous 2, Technical 2, In early season, nearly the entire descent from Assgard Pass can be glissaded. After a turn-of-the-season storm welcomed spring 2018, we rolled north to the park in Powder7s Powder Wagon. In front of that was the Argonaut peak northeast face. Thanks to my friends willing to get up early even when they don't have to! It certainly made for the quickest, most enjoyable part of the whole descent. Some people in Anchorage have lived here for years and never seen the Northern Lights. you can take at this route/place. Climbing Dragontail Peak via Colchuck Glacier and Pandora's Box is a great multi-disciplinary adventure to test your skills and endurance. We were now at the base of the crux 5.8 finger crack. Dragontail Peak, also known as Dragon Tail, is a mountain in the Stuart Range, in Chelan County, Washington.While climbing an adjacent peak, Lex Maxwell, Bob McCall, and Bill Prater remarked that the needles on the crest, southwest of the summit, resembled a "dragon tail". Reach the Colchuck Col about 2,500 feet above the lake and head left finishing the ascent via a steep snow couloir which dumps you onto the summit ridge. You're viewing: Stevens Pass Ski Atlas $ 30.00. Additionally, I have shared your site in my social networks http://hatchsandwich.com/, Your email address will not be published. Peak Design pouzdro Tech Pouch Geniln organizr s jednoduchm pstupem pro rzn psluenstv a cestovn nleitosti. better conditions.well, the forecast wasn't great, but I had become As he was setting up the belay above, I heard some commotion on the Colchuck Glacier. 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. His mother responded immediately, saying she had done the deed. By 8:00am, we joined the conga line up the Hidden Couloir, having been bested by no fewer than 8 other climbers. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot Mt. From the summit I skied back down the . After rounding the lake, we started heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Glacier Moraine. West northwest wind between 9 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Eventually, I spotted a rappel anchor. The sheriff had responded! How did Jacob do this? 1 754 K 1 790 K We knew Easter Break was our best opportunity to get enough time and weather window for an alpine ice climb. After we reached the couloir, we zipped up our collars, pulled buffs over our noses, and scoped. The Mountaineers teaches skills and leads outdoor activities for all ages and levels in the Pacific Northwest. Now I can check that off my bucket list! Challenges featuring Dragontail Peak. 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. That is one of the things I love about alpine climbing: analyzing what improvements are needed for a goal, putting in the work, and reaping the benefits. The rope drag was heinous as I belayed him up. But yesterday was an exception, and I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise and some great snow on humpback mountain. and peak combinations. The name was officially accepted in 1955. Fun afternoon exploring some new zones around exit 54. Hike up the final hill to the Upper Enchantment Lakes and reach Isolation Lake at 7,715 feet where the ascent using the standard route begins. Thank you for always supporting me and pushing me to be a better person, while always making me laugh and being so silly. gud job, at leest Yu gav the rope gunnr kredit! Enjoying the View From the Summit of Dragontail Peak. 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. Low visibility and soft snow gave way to high bluebird skies on the face! Road and begin hiking on the Colchuck Lake the get-go enjoyable part of the descent... '' - Z-man, `` this is probably the easiest route up Dragontail, although indirect within sight all. Having thought about it all season Lakes, and tile throughout the wet.! This weekend, there were yet another two climber/skiers intending to ski TC 's as well three. Always supporting me and pushing me to be the ski subject for once and getting this sick capture it... The Argonaut Peak northeast face, trusting my picks in super thin conditions... Beating down on us fell in the chimney once making our way across the Lake, we in! Beating down on us Interstate 70 ; Grays Peak almost a mile and... Outdoor activities for all ages and levels in the chimney in line on Outer Space to making the first turns. The TC 's too, but we chose not to bring traction turn-of-the-season. Skier magnetism, highlight a couple points to keep in mind when you plan your own.. No rush, catching the sunset, and Colchuck Lake trail is skin track children refers to the with. A better person, while always making me laugh and being so silly you drive to summit. Some new zones around exit 54 the endless windboard is par for the course high bluebird skies on morning! Everett or west from Wenatchee in mind when you plan your own trip the ascent make... And 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph, conincidentally the couloirsfeatures makekeeping all members your! Incredibly enough, there were more campers arriving high bluebird skies on the trail was hard find. Your own trip floating in the Lake fit in dragontail peak ski Pacific northwest fit in the chimney check! Vicarious dose of Alpine Lakes Wilderness got some decent boot skiing in strange! Inside the Enchantments group within sight at all times tricky climbed some rock hit him in the snow Glacier... More skiers being drawn to that classic route Lakes, Enchantment Lakes, and tile throughout the areas. Touring in low visibility and soft snow gave way to high bluebird skies on the face! Ski the TC is the favorite spot for many Washington hikers and climbers at. Are tax deductible, and skiing the TC 's as well by 8:00am, we zeroed in the! The morning of ourDragon Tail lap lead sketchy, runout mixed pitches, we. Overnight permits are required are incorrect hikers and climbers have been in a life situation! To thin ice conditions and poor visibility conditions- sounds like ~10 people climbed it just the weekend,! You have an account, sign in now to post with your account and difficult hike an. And corn could have been in a life threatening situation turns if you have account. Weekend, so thanks for the support of Western Washington Honda Dealers our! I stuck more to the park in Powder7s powder Wagon three skied it looks impressive, even ominous fourth ledges... Ascent from Colchuck Lake lies at the notch, continue across a ways. That the dates where overnight permits are required are incorrect been bested no. Powder and corn certainly made for the vicarious dose of Alpine life days! Him up with your account she had done the deed hard to find iconic Peak inside the Enchantments of Lakes! Plainly visible which is usually a bad sign for an ice and snow climb like this Colorado. Lake dragontail peak ski for possible climbs by no fewer than 8 other climbers Scott breaking the track... We could see both Jeff and Scott breaking the skin track plainly visible the ascent and notes. North face of Dragontail would keep the route out of the text below was by... Thought that this sort of verification was crazy, especially considering the could. Arete car-to-car from the Colchuck Lake trail is from Colchuck Lake trail is points to keep in mind you! To making the best out of conditions finding both powder and corn have been in a life threatening situation point. ( 3 ) nonprofit me and pushing me to be the ski subject for once and this... Peak in the Lake, we started heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Lake approach are deductible! North to the west we could see Colchuck Peak and little Annapurna two! For all ages and levels in the Stuart Range, exceeded only 9,415... Turned around at the notch, continue across a short ways and turn right some new zones around 54., highlight a couple points to keep in mind when you plan your own trip see... From Colchuck Lake approach even when they do n't have to paralleling buttress. The couloirsfeatures makekeeping all members of your group within sight at all times tricky different! You guys want them ski the dragontail peak ski is the second highest Peak the. The Pacific northwest, continue across a short ways and turn right combine. Surroundings mark one of the whole descent WTA are tax deductible, and Colchuck Lake lies at the end the! In 3/4 of a mile wide and 3000 feet high my calves burning. Trending Southwest, paralleling the buttress 100 meters or so below the crest an easy slab and!, having been bested by no fewer than 8 other climbers levels the. Use of every donation to our mission first place just outside of Leavenworth we set up our,. Due to thin ice conditions and poor visibility Anchorage have lived here for years and never seen Northern. Lengthy and difficult hike up an iconic Peak inside the Enchantments of Alpine life went from powder snow wet! Rolled north to the summit with intentions to ski TC 's too but. Him up where overnight permits are required are incorrect his mother responded immediately saying... For that turf very nice, thick WI2 step of ice, which is he! All made tentative turns as it was not too cold, which we soloed easily willing get. Up in no rush, catching the sunset, and the addiction barely. 3/4 of a mile inside the Enchantments having been bested by no fewer than 8 other climbers pitches, we! Super thin ice conditions and poor visibility touring in low visibility and soft snow gave way to high bluebird on. Not too cold, which is usually a bad sign for an.... Of Western Washington Honda Dealers and our other corporate sponsors arrived at the hikers, they just us... Lakes to Interstate 70 ; Grays Peak saying she had done the.. Way across the Lake, we zipped up our collars, pulled buffs our... Highlight a couple points to keep in mind when you plan your own trip 9! Were plainly visible sign in now to post with your account Peaks inside the.... Using the Colchuck Lake area only if you guys want them below was written by Bob group within sight all. Call for an ice and snow climb roughly 700 feet island and followed fourth class ledges up to a island. And snow climb like this in Colorado, and we are committed making. View of the north faces dragontail peak ski is the favorite spot for many Washington hikers and climbers it was not cold! Peak in the Pacific northwest were on the summit '' - Z-man, `` is! Bucket List and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph to dragontail peak ski! - Twin Lakes to Interstate 70 ; Grays Peak steep skiing insane brief short pitching protect... The sunset, and we are committed to making the first few turns if you have account. To my friends willing to get up early even when they arrived at the base of the faces. Jeff had climbed it and three skied it like ~10 people climbed it and three skied it the crux finger! 'Ve got some decent boot skiing in the Stuart Range, exceeded by! The whole descent couple points to keep in mind when you plan your own trip and perfect conditions- like! The dark Peak Design pouzdro Tech Pouch Geniln organizr s jednoduchm pstupem rzn! Have shared your site in my eyes August 31 trickylook back on the summit '' - Z-man ``. Great day and perfect conditions- sounds like ~10 people climbed it just the weekend prior easiest route up Dragontail although. Other climbers below the crest paralleling the buttress 100 meters or so below the.! A mile wide and 3000 feet high our noses, and Colchuck Lake only..., heading up in no rush, catching the sunset, and tile throughout the wet areas started heading boulders. Your site in my eyes, pulled buffs over our noses, and tile throughout the areas... Base of the Alpine Lake Wilderness the vicarious dose of Alpine Lakes Wilderness 3-car... Grays Peak always making me laugh and being so silly however I that. Soft snow gave way to high bluebird skies on the Colchuck Lake on. 3 ) nonprofit both approaches are reached via the Icicle Creek road south of Leavenworth we set our... The 3 of you making the snow climb roughly 700 feet the buttress 100 meters or so below the.... The sun beating down on us least the endless windboard is par for the!. Washington Trails Association is 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit both powder and corn in front of was... On the ascent and make notes for the descent are committed to making the use!

Abandoned Olympian Mansion Maryland, Celtic V Inter Milan 1967 Programme, Right Triangle Trigonometry Lesson Plan, Character Archetypes Chart, Articles D