Tahtlum peak

Someone once told me a "motivational quote" that goes like this

"Work hard, Keep your head in the game and if someone gets in your way... Tell them you don't give a DAMN"


Well that had to get me through this hike.

As some may know, we had been planning on doing Mount St. Helen's on Sunday but the weather effected that plan and we decided against becoming charcoal. Our next idea was Camp Muir at the 10,000 foot level on Mount Rainer. When looking at the Crevasses on the mountain  we said no. The counter option was 3 main peaks just off of Chinook Pass. A few weren't name but what I could pick up, they were Naches Peak, Tahtlum Peak and the last one being an unnamed peak that apparently has only been climbed about 3 times and with good reason.

We arrived at Chinook Pass at about 11:30 AM. It was an absolute beautiful day for a hike and there was surely snow in the hills. Me being me, I have never used an Ice Axe before but I would learn how to real fast!

The "Unnamed" Mountain off in the distance

Naches Peak

The Center pointy one is the one we actually got to

 

Hiking party before

 

We began through all that snow. If you can't tell.. Even at 5,430 feet there is still a ton of snow and yet, we didn't have to use Crampons but surely the ice axe. If you've never used one, the process is actually very simple.

 

Using it as almost a trekking pole while walking against a mountain side you dig the spike in while holding the top of it(which includes the pick and Adze)(Pick pointed backwards) and kick step (make your self steps in the ice) along your way. I've included a few diagrams for reference.

Ice pick Diagram

How to correctly walk on a hill side.

 

 

Now getting a description of how to do it, but let me show you what we were walking on.

 

Yea... We walked by that

We came along that ridge and you can see the road below

 

 

Believe it or not, the kick stepping was a lot of fun. Sketchy at times but fun in general.

 

At this point, we had realized that we had forgot one very important thing... We forgot sunscreen. Thankfully, we met 3 skiers who lucky had some sunscreen and shared it liberally with us even though we were already burning on the bright snow.

 

After talking with the skiers and finding that they had been in that back area about 80 time in the past 30 years or so, we headed off on our hike. We began to gain elevation again which was a problem because we found our self's summiting a smaller peak. In all attempts to find a Glissading route down, we ended up having to rock climb down.

 

Before I continue, Glissading is something that not man people know. The "Dictionary" definition of"Glissading is to slide in a standing or squatting position down a snow-covered slope without the aid of skis". My definition is as simple as extreme sledding. Basically, you sit on the snow, and slide down using the ice axe as stopping mechanism by simply leaning on it.

My glissade route and Marie's off to the side

 

Climbing down rocks and such we came to a very strak realization.. We had to go up a huge mountain and the ridge we were to have used wouldn't allow us to go to our original destination. The only thing that made sense was find the least sketchiest route.

We're headed to the closest one after seeing the amount of snow along the ridge line

Annnnnnd Up we go

 

 

And so the upward slog begin. Through the snow which I equated it to the last slog of Mount St. Helen's, with out the sand. I myself got about half way up and began to have problems. The vertical climb was getting to me and that normal for anyone really. The last 300 to 400 feet are the hardest because of the fact that it is so close and so far away. I had to take a break and kept fighting with myself if I could do it or not. Then, with hearing that the other 2 in my hiking party had been just at the summit and I lit some serious fire under my ass to get to the top.

 

And finally after slogging, this is what I was rewarded with

Waaaay off in the distance, is Mount St. Helen's

Little sideways but Vertigo Sucks

Mount Rainer in hiding

 

We only stayed briefly because of the on set of the clouds. We took the low route across the valley below us to try and save some time by Glissading. We only had a few upwards climb this time but thankfully, we only had one or two. We finally got back to truck.

 

All and all, I may have been a bit sadden by not climbing Mount St. Helen's but at the same time, I was introduced to many new level Mountaineering skills that I can hopefully use more often than not.

 

As for Tahtlum peak, well, she tried to shake me but in no way did I give up. If you're up for a good trail finding way and are willing to kick your self all the way to the top than this one is for you in full.

 

Hope all of you enjoyed this post as always. I also have a new rule for you all which will be posted on the rule page in bit but until than remember

 

Keep Calm and Climb on

 

Laws of the land

So when we take our long walks in the woods, we've noticed a few things that have become almost "absolute" laws for us. This is a post that will be continuously updated when we make new laws but for now, we have 3 main laws to lay down.


1.) Tripping on a garter snake is the worst way to die.

This is very simple. Image if you will, walking along a trail. With out any notice what so ever, a garter snake slitter across the trail, trips you and you happen to fall into the ravine, of the cliff or long drop to the side. We've both agreed that it would be the absolute worst way to die and weirdest thing to find on an obituary.

The common culprit.

2.) Girls always are going up when we are going down.

I don't know if they are timing it or what be but every hike we do, there is always girls coming up as we go down. Never going down as we go up.

You don't get a picture

3.) Lake Serene is a must.

Dubbed the "hike to heaven" by us and for a good reason. As in our first blog, the hike is pretty much like going to heaven and that is self explanatory.

The lake it self

Mount Index high above.

 

 

 

4.) An Ice Axe is needed everywhere

 

 

Even during the summer time, I'd use an Ice Axe. They can be used for lifting, leverage, balance, saving you, bottle opener, trekking pole and a bunch of other useful stuff.

 

 

With every hike, we'll have new rules and such to add so don't expect this post to just be one and done.

 

Thanks for reading as always and remember

Keep Calm and Climb On