Somehow we managed to never see anyone up on the passes themselves, but it was great to catch up at the Portal! Shootin' the breeze (and the ginormous mozzies!!) on Saturday afternoon was really special.
Bob Huey and I had planned originally to cross the Crest and head for Soldier Lake, but weather on Friday and a few other issues pushed us to camp at one of the lakes below Army Pass. Reaching there by 1pm, we opted to recon (Old) Army Pass and determine its feasibility for an approach to Langley.
Bear with the
photos , folks. The light shifting around with the clouds made for a photogs paradise up there...
(Old) Army Pass:
We opted for the chute in the middle of the photo. Right side had a rim-to-rim cornice hanging over it. Chute starts at about 35 deg, increasing to 45 at the narrows and to the top.
It started to snow when we hit the top, just a squall, but breathtaking...
We headed over to the old trail to see if we could pick our way back down, but that was a no-go (at least for us) without pickets/ropes/etc. I tried to make sure this wasn't tilted for emphasis at all:
So, we opted to loop back to camp via NAP. There was about a 40-50ft drop down from the edge that wasn't corniced, soft/wet new snow over a firm base that was most safely done with crampons and axe. Not exactly a nice landing if the snow gave way.
[img]
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/8733200555_eef14831ac_z.jpg[/img]
[img]
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/8734324680_ced7fab331_z.jpg[/img]
[img]
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/8733209205_1288a02bf3_z.jpg[/img]
The dry conditions may lull you into a sense of not needing what someone called their "hard-core gear", ie: axe/crampons/knowledge of how to use both. <insert eye roll>
Just like last year, folks: those who equate "low" snow year to "NO" snow year will another thing coming. We ran into multiple parties on their way in who voiced intentions of ascending Army Pass and descending NAP on their way to Langley. To put it bluntly: spring conditions DO exist throughout the higher elevations and crampons/axe are not "hard-core" gear. Just stop and think for one moment before you get yourself into a situation from which you cannot back off.
Heading out early Saturday allowed for more gorgeous light, and at least one critter who had no fear:
[img]
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8734360966_f722706732_z.jpg[/img]
[img]
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/8734364508_4f42c83417_z.jpg[/img]
[img]
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/8734372652_cd5def536f_z.jpg[/img]
Happy belated Mother's Day to all!!
-L
