Had a great trip yesterday w/ the little lady up on Mt. Washington (Oregon version that is...). I was interested to see how Mel would handle the climbing and exposure (we haven't been out too much lately) but I shouldn't have worried, she jumped right back into it! We made pretty good time on the approach and roped up for the summit pitches. The climbing on this route (N. Ridge) isn't particularly difficult, but the rock quality is generally poor, which means it's worth taking your time and finding the holds that don't move (or pull out). We enjoyed the beautiful summit for a few minutes, but the siren call of Big Lake was enough to make us not want to linger too much! Unfortunatly the mosquitos had laid a trap for us and we were pretty much swarmed most of the way down the trail. We still managed a quick swim on the way out, but pretty much had to run barefoot and soaking from the lake cause of the little bastards. It was still worth it though: another great trip for me and a new cascade summit for Mel! :)
Hiking up the ridge w/ Big Lake, Hayrick Butte (flat top), Hoodoo (ski hill), Three Finger Jack and Jefferson in the distance.
Waltzing past one of the ridge-crest towers.
Same tower, different perspective...
I don't think Mel was particularly impressed with the steep, loose, gravely crap on the approach!
Summit corndog (sidenote: if you only eat corndogs for a month your skin turns yellow and your hair falls out)
Found evidence of some of our friends... Couldn't find Aaron and I from last year though...
Mel enjoying the hazy view back towards the valley
Sister's were looking surprisingly clean for this time of year
Window on the ridge during the downclimb/butt-slide
Mel traversing some crappy/shattered rock on the way out
Parting shot: She sure is a beautiful mountain if you don't look too close at the rock! :)
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