Washington Olympics Prospectus 2009

CHEMEKETAN CLIMB PROSPECTUS

Mt. Washington – Olympic Range Climb Date: Route: Max. Elevation: Elevation Gain: Round Trip Distance:

July 23-24, 2009 Big Creek Gully 6,255’ 3,300’ Approx. 5 Miles

Leader:

John Petrie

Assistant(s):

TBD

Chemeketan Rating: Technical Difficulty:

M1 Grade I, non-technical 4th class rock scramble

Driving Directions: From Salem: Follow I-5 North for 153 miles towards Olympia, WA. Take exit #104 Aberdeen/Port Angeles and proceed 35 miles to Hoodsport. Turn west and follow the Lake Cushman Road 9 miles to a junction, or “T”. (Big Creek Campground is immediately to your left on FS 24 – remember this). Go right, traveling 1.6 miles on FS Road 24 to the intersection with Big Creek Road (FS Road 2419). Continue on FS Road 2419 for 6.3 miles to a spur road just before the road crosses one of the branches of Big Creek. Park at the established turnout on the side of the road. If you drive pass a waterfall, you’ve gone too far. For those meeting at the State Motor Pool Park & Ride, the address is: 1100 Airport Rd SE, Salem, Oregon 97301

Purpose of this Climb: Aside from Mt. Olympus, The Olympic Mountain Range doesn’t get the love it deserves. This climb is yet another step in discovering the “other” mountain range in Washington State. Scott Kelley and I started the year with Mt Ellinor, Mike Rudy and Scott Phillips opened up the Mt. Washington-Ellinor Traverse, and now it’s our job to investigate an alternative route up this alluring peak. Ok, ok. It’s really just an excuse to get out of work! Woo hoo!

Route Description:

This is my first time on the mountain, so the following route description is subject to change. The Big Creek Gully Route on Mt. Washington is an alpine rock scramble that is somewhat challenging, yet non-technical. This time of year we can expect favorable weather, which translates into magnificent views of the surrounding peaks including Mt. Olympus to the north, Glacier Peak to the east, and even the City of Seattle under the impressive backdrop of Mt. Rainier. With any luck at all, we’ll share the experience with local mountain goats! The climbers trail starts at 2,955’ and rises steadily up though trees, scree, and steep snow to a large open basin at 4,500’. We will continue up an obvious gully, bearing right through the headwall, and then directly up to the south ridge. Once we gain the ridge we’ll either head directly up towards the summit, or head east on exposed ledges, where we’ll finish with a short scramble to the top. We will descend the climbing route.

Itinerary: Date Thu, July 23 Fri, July 24

Time 4:00pm

Depart the State Motor Pool Park & Ride in Salem – we’ll make a quick dinner stop on the road

8:00pm

Arrive at Big Creek Campground and setup camp

5:00am

Rise and shine

6:00

Load up the vehicles and drive to trailhead (2,955’)

6:30

Start climbing

11:30 12:00pm

Arrive at summit (6,255’) Depart summit

3:30

Arrive back at trailhead

4:00

Depart trailhead, stop for dinner, and award summit certificates

8:30

Return to State Motor Pool Park & Ride in Salem

Washington Olympics Prospectus 2009 - Page 1 of 3

Required Equipment Checklist: Unless otherwise noted, the following equipment is required for participation on this climb. The checklist below lists the minimum items you will need and should be used as a guide only. Each climber is responsible for their own gear. Ten Essentials:

Additional Items:

Team Gear:

Navigation – Map & Compass (GPS if available) Sun Protection – Sunscreen, Lip Balm, and Sunglasses Insulation – Extra Clothing Illumination - Headlamp w/ Extra Batteries First-Aid Supplies Fire - Fire Starter/Waterproof Matches/Lighter Repair Kit & Tools – incl. Knife, Whistle Nutrition - Extra Food Hydration – Extra Water Emergency Shelter - Emergency Tarp/Space Blanket/Bivouac Gear Wool Cap/Hat Sun Hat/Bandana Layered Clothing Light Gloves Waterproof Jacket/Pants Hiking/Light Mountaineering Boots + Gaiters Ice Axe Helmet Crampons pre-fit to boots. We won’t likely need them but bring them if you have them Bug Juice Trekking Poles (optional) Emergency Tarp/Space Blanket 2-3 Liters of Water for the climb+ extra for camping Camera Car Camping Gear – Tent, Sleeping Bag/Pad, etc Other Personal Items as Necessary Northwest Forest Pass – required if you are driving to the trailhead Radios, 30M Rope (for hand line, if necessary)

Reference/Maps: Smoot, Jeff, Climbing Washington’s Mountains, (The Globe Pequot Press, 2002), pp. 362-365 Olympic Mountain Rescue, Olympic Mountains: A Climbing Guide, (The Mountaineers Books, 2006), pp. 65-67 Mazamas.org, SummitPost.org MAP: Olympic Custom Correct: Mt. Skokomish-Lake Cushman or USGS/Green Trails: The Brothers

Emergency Contacts: Olympic NF Headquarters, 360-956-2402; Quilcene Office, Hood Canal Ranger District 360-765-2200; 911

CHEMEKETAN CLIMB REGULATIONS 1. The climber agrees to pay for the climber's own medical and/or rescue expenses, whether or not authorized by the climber in the event of accident or illness. 2. Guests must provide to the trip leader a signed RELEASE FROM LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK, available at the meeting location. 3. The climb leader reserves the right to refuse to allow anyone to participate in the climb if the leader believes that the person is not adequately prepared for the climb.

Additional Comments: Please notify the leader if you are NOT meeting the group at the State Motor Pool Park & Ride. We will be leaving at 4:00pm sharp. In case of inclement weather, the final decision to cancel the climb will be made by Wednesday evening, July 22, before 6pm. Our backup climb date TBD. Contact leader for further information. John Petrie 503-910-9041 (m) Washington Olympics Prospectus 2009 - Page 2 of 3

View from near the trailhead

View from the basin

View from the summit Washington Olympics Prospectus 2009 - Page 3 of 3