Mt. Washington 09/16/2012

The Pole Creek fire had been going on a least a week near the Sisters, but Bruce decided we should at least go down to Mt. Washington before calling the climb off.  When we met up with him Saturday we decided to make the call Sunday morning.  We met at 5 am off the campsite near the PCT in Big Lake.

We decided to go for it, and the climb was on.  I was a little worn out as we climbed in the dark, I've been doing like a climb a month but I felt a little out of shape.  Here is the shadow of Mt. Washington.

Here's is the smoke from the fire, it is ecompassing Black Butte.  It king of followed us up the mountain before the winds changed in the afternoon.

Here is Joe on a protected part of the rock climb.  We had protection for over three pitches, which was I think the longest protected climb I've done.  The rock on Mt. Washington left something to be desired, it was like pummace, and lots of portable handholds.

Here is me on the summit, Ann made a sign as she does for every mountain which is a cool idea. 

Here's a group shot in the summit of Mt. Washington  elevation 7,795 ft.

Broken Top 08/05/2012

I got a ride with Doug who climbed the Tatoosh with me and he brought along his wife who didn't make the climb but spent her time taking pictures around the campsite.  Also is our car was Celerina who was with me volunteering on Salmon River and Brinda who just graduated ICS and was the assistant. 

It was a nice approach, with three log bridges over Fall Creek.  We camped at Green Lakes to get up early and beat the heat.

Here is Broken Top and the Green Lakes in the foreground.

I did a little swimming in Green Lakes, but I was careful not to get my head wet.  The water was pretty cold.

A great view of the sisters.  Broken Top has some of the best views for seeing all the Cascades mountains.

Here's is Brinda setting up the fixed line.

Here's me on the summit, Middle and North Sister in the background.

Here's a group shot on the summit of Broken Top elevation 9,175 ft.

The red mark is the scree decent that we took.  It was a little like skiing on tiny rocks, but it was faster than going down the way we came up.