Leader: Garry Stephenson (garry.stephenson@oregonstate.edu)
Assistant Leader: Shonee Langford (shoneelangford@gmail.com)
When: September 5-9, Thurs-Mon
Where: West McMillan Spire, Picket Range, WA
Difficulty: M3
Driving distance: 680 miles RT.
Hiking distance: 16 miles
Elevation gain: 9800 feet
Max group size: 4-6
Description:
West McMillan Spire, West Ridge (Summitpost Link)
A good introduction to the Southern Pickets, this is a strenuous climb with a North Cascades-style steep, groveling, off-trail approach with interesting climbing and a striking summit view. On Day 1, we will drive to Marblemount to secure permits, either before the ranger station closes or first thing the next morning. We will car camp for the night. On Day 2, we hike in and camp in the Terror Basin. Day 3 we summit, spend another night at our high camp in an extraordinary setting, hike out and drive home on Day 4. Climbers should be ready for the aforementioned off-trail groveling, steep snow, and sometimes exposed class 3 rock.
This is a four-day trip, including travel. To maximize our chances for a good weather window, we are setting aside two five-day windows (Thurs-Mon) on back to back weekends. This will allow for either a Thurs-Sun or Fri-Mon trip. Backup dates are Sept 12-16. Preference will be given to strong and experienced climbers who can set aside both weekends. Bryon Snapp led a successful club trip into the area in 2017 (see his 2017 trip report:
here). For more, here is a July 2018 trip report from the Mountaineers.
Contact assistant leader Shonee Langford (shoneelangford@gmail.com).
West Mac Spire (center) from camp