N.Face Mt Shuksan

Joe and I climbed the N. Face of Mt Shuksan in May of 2006. Pretty sweet!!!

After checking the weather we weren’t sure what type of snow/ice conditions that we were going to get, but figured why not give it a try. Once we parked the car and headed in things looked better.

Of course as the approach progressed, the weather started to go fowl. By the time we reached the North shoulder we were hiking in thick fog and soupy snow….not a good sign.

But the 4am start time brought nothing but smiles..

And better weather

and cold temps

We found ideal conditions along almost the entire route

Soon reaching the upper portions of the hanging glacier

Took ourselves around the summit pyramid and headed up the central gulley

To reach the summit about 4 hrs after leaving camp

The descent was by far, worse than the climb. Taking us about 6hrs of non-stop snow slogging, but at least the scenery was amazing…

And we even got to watch the hanging glacier cleave off HUGE chunks of ice.

Finally reaching the alder fields and making poor route choices…ah, the joy of being totally drained

A little over 12 hrs, camp to car.

A pretty amazing climb!!!