Levi, Kyle Erickson and I set out to do the Tatoosh traverse (Pinnacle, Plummer, Denman, Lane, Wahpenayo, Chutla, Eagle) on Sunday and Monday. This was an undertaking that I would find out was quite a bit beyond our capability and preparation. The Park Ranger told us that no one had completed the traverse this year, as far as he knew. Still, the snow has been melting off quickly and he gave us the “thumbs up” with our plans. The hike up to the Pinnacle Saddle was uneventful under bright skies. We ditched our packs at the saddle and began our scramble of Pinnacle Peak. The route to the summit was very elusive to us – after 4 attempts to find the summit (all of which were very close), we decided to move on.
Plummer Peak was a fun, easy hike with rewarding views. Returning to the saddle we then headed for Denman. This is when we went the wrong way. According to “75 Scrambles in Washington” you are to “find a boot path traverse on the southern side of the ridge heading west past tarns. Descend 200 feet to pick up the ridge and head Northwest to the wooded summit of Denman.” We traversed the southern side of the ridge which comprised Plummer Peak. I guess our emphasis should have been on “heading west”. The ridge in reference is insignificant. Anyhow, we ended up on the southern side of Plummer bush-wacking our way towards nowhere before returning to the saddle, realizing our error. From there we made quick(er) progress to Denman where we arrived pretty well spent (Kyle Erickson also had some really BAD blisters). At that point I had a good view of what was ahead and knew Lane and Wahpenayo were beyond reach as well as my party’s ability. We spent the night on Denman before heading back to Reflection Lake. The surise was colorful as the clouds poured in. My son and I will return to make a faster traverse (with as few peaks as possible) later in the season. Our thought is to go light and fast (no overnight), skipping the first 4 peaks, and trying to summit Wahpenayo, Chutla and Eagle. Hopefully we will do this in September. The views were awesome, the terrain is formidable and wild, and the adventure still beckons us to come back.
View all my photos of the trip here:
http://flickr.com/photos/matt_messner/sets/72157606453192390/
Plummer Peak was a fun, easy hike with rewarding views. Returning to the saddle we then headed for Denman. This is when we went the wrong way. According to “75 Scrambles in Washington” you are to “find a boot path traverse on the southern side of the ridge heading west past tarns. Descend 200 feet to pick up the ridge and head Northwest to the wooded summit of Denman.” We traversed the southern side of the ridge which comprised Plummer Peak. I guess our emphasis should have been on “heading west”. The ridge in reference is insignificant. Anyhow, we ended up on the southern side of Plummer bush-wacking our way towards nowhere before returning to the saddle, realizing our error. From there we made quick(er) progress to Denman where we arrived pretty well spent (Kyle Erickson also had some really BAD blisters). At that point I had a good view of what was ahead and knew Lane and Wahpenayo were beyond reach as well as my party’s ability. We spent the night on Denman before heading back to Reflection Lake. The surise was colorful as the clouds poured in. My son and I will return to make a faster traverse (with as few peaks as possible) later in the season. Our thought is to go light and fast (no overnight), skipping the first 4 peaks, and trying to summit Wahpenayo, Chutla and Eagle. Hopefully we will do this in September. The views were awesome, the terrain is formidable and wild, and the adventure still beckons us to come back.
View all my photos of the trip here:
http://flickr.com/photos/matt_messner/sets/72157606453192390/
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