We made an early night of it, despite a late departure from Cutthroat. A 3:30 am start found us back at Rainy Pass for The Northeast Ridge of Black Peak, first ascent by Roger Jackson and Michael Kennedy 9/1/73. With 4970 feet of gain and loss, it would be a somewhat more challenging day. Map.

But first, we had to get to the peak... the Northeast Ridge being the right skyline of the pyramidal peak.

We cut through Heather Pass and crossed a couple snowfields and talus slopes, then on up to a couple of lakes, the highest still frozen in.

Resting at a highish point.

We had to climb a wee bit of steep-ish snow to get to the ridge. Not really that steep, but when it's your first snow in, say, 12 years, it feels kind of tenuous.

Bucky chilling out most of the way up, trying to get his legs to un-cramp.

Bucky and Tom crossing steep snow to get to a rock ledge.

Ram and Ram-son ascend the final steep snowslope to the ridge crest.

Bucky, not liking it. The ridgecrest above us. Looks kinda messy... Bucky couldn't get his muscles to work, so bailed while it was practical.