13.5 miles of hiking • 3000' elevation gain •
Easy five mile approach from Santiam Pass on the PCT. Then it is all up. Saw a few goats. Perfect weather with a kind breeze to beat off the heat. Moved efficiently with a party of four, but it somehow still took us 14 hrs. The climbing section was great, with three protected traverses(including "the crawl") and then a vertical climb to the summit block. Very little space on the airy summit. Fun rappel down. The sketchy approach to the summit ridge was intense requiring laser focus. I knew a young person who died coming down from the summit here in 2005, but I mostly kept it out of my mind while I was on that section.
Comments
Jen
July 20, 2020
I've been on a lot of sketchy stuff, but this one was particularly challenging for me. It was a daytrip, but because of the small group, I had to carry the alpine 70m rope the whole time in both directions, so it felt like an overnight pack and changed my center of gravity. Nothing like big nature danger to make you feel more alive.
Yes you will get there someday Sarah!.
Sarah Johnson
July 19, 2020
I applied for a climb of 3FJ/Mt. Washington after the climb leader e-mailed me suggesting I apply... then I canceled my application when I started watching videos of the exposure. The climb was ultimately canceled anyway due to covid concerns. Maybe I'll get there someday.