The last climb I needed to graduate from the Mountaineers Basic Alpine Climbing Course was a glacier climb, and after many cancellations due to bad weather, I finally got the chance this past weekend.
We headed up Torment Creek, then followed the ridge line above Moraine Lake to the west. Early in the afternoon, we camped near Point 7252, surrounded by clouds. The visibility on Saturday was only a few hundred feet, and that was definitely a bit of a downer. We were surrounded by amazing mountain beauty, we just couldn’t see it.
In the morning, we headed out at 7 AM and followed the ridge west. We jumped across a moat onto the Inspiration Glacier near Point 7292. There were only very few crevasses. Some of us summited the Eggplant (Point 7733), but I decided to rest my legs. I had felt a twinge in my right thigh since the morning, and I wanted to make sure I make it to the summit of Eldorado Peak. We dropped some gear and joined the standard ascent route. About an hour later, we summited Eldorado Peak at 1 PM. I was standing on top of Washington’s 25th tallest mountain. The Knife Edge leading up to it fortunately was not very edgy. We then took the standard route down Eldorado Creek back to the trailhead. I was at home past midnight, tired and dirty, but very happy.
Now I’m a Mountaineers basic climbing graduate. Out of 160 students this year, I was the 10th to finish. Jenny was 9th, but only because we didn’t fill out her application form for ten days, otherwise she might have been 3rd or so.
Below Mount Torment, heading towards the ridge above Moraine Lake.
First glimpse of Eldorado Peak from our camp site.
At our camp site near Point 7252.
Eldorado Peak in full morning glory.
Left camp at 7 AM to head towards the Inspiration Glacier.
Following the ridge above Moraine Lake.
Jumping onto the Inspiration Glacier near Point 7292.
On the Inspiration Glacier, with Eldorado Peak in the background.
Happy on the summit of Eldorado Peak, the 25th highest mountain in Washington.
Looking back up at the Knife Edge.
Descending below the Knife Edge.
Streams and waterfall galore on the standard descent along Eldorado Creek.
Log crossing over the North Fork Cascade River.
Unfortunately, I forgot to turn on tracking on the second day, so only my messages are marked in important spots — like the summit!
Track to Eldorado Peak.
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