After a great day of climbing with the Brutes and a BBQ at Jeff’s place by Golden Gate Canyon State Park we were originally planning on cruising out to Mt. Pacific and climbing the N Colouir. Since it was raining and we were feeling rather sleep deprived we decided on a shorter day close to home.
View of the route from Summit Lake (click here for the route)
We parked at Summit Lake and threw our boots on while still inside the cab. Outside it was full on Winter and I actually put on my big down coat while getting my pack ready! We started out on the approach around Summit Lake and then up the slope towards the climb. We were postholing though a 1-2 inch crust with sugar-snow up to my knees on most of the approach. The conditions were slightly concerning since any warming could potentially lead to a massive slide. We were on a fairly gentle slope though and the going was safe so we carried on.
View from halfway up
Whoa! Your foot is all blurry, must be the altitude!
By the time we got to the base of the climb the snow had improved greatly and was solid enough that we could climb it safely. Once we got into the colouir the wind dropped drastically and things became very pleasant while we grunted up the snow slope.
Me working up towards the top
On the final ridge, around the corner is the summit
Jamie coming up the final section
Slogging through the snow
Reaching the top of the colouir we were suddenly faced with all sorts of tourists wandering around in shorts and t-shirts! For a very short while I was disoriented until my brain flipped over and reminded me of the road all the way to the top!
We hung out on the summit for a few minutes and the began the ridge-walk across Mt. Spalding and finally back to the lake.
Flight For Life helicopter that went by as we were on the traverse
That afternoon we celebrated summer by sitting the pool and I managed to get myself a nice little racoon-tan!
