Cutthroat Peak, North Cascades
Arriving at Larry's at 11:30 pm did not portend an early rising. Thus, the concept of "Alpine Light", roadside alpine climbing just up the road near Washington Pass. Murray and son were around (but chose a different climb for the day). For us, Ram chose The West Ridge of Cutthroat Peak, first ascended by Kenneth Adam, Raffi Bedayn, and W. Kenneth Davis 22 July 1937. With only 3290 feet of ascent, it would be a 'light' day.
Roadside gear sorting.
Cutthroat Peak. Our route is to the pass in center, then up the skyline to the peak on the right.
"Need some help, old man?" Larry trying to be helpful.
"Woo Hoo" good to be out in the wild again!
Turns out, its a long way UP the meadow to the base of the steep, loose gully. Who'd 'a' known?
Larry Halford, rest point at base of gully.
Bucky, ready for some Sports Action!
Mmmmm. Some sweet steep dirt, to gain the base of the first pitch. Yummy stuff!
Top of the gully, we gear up for a fifth-class pitch up to the ridge crest.
Larry leading up to the ridge crest.
Bucky belaying, up on the ridge.
Ramoo, coming across the ridge. Much of the climb was 4th class, with only a few spots of 5th class.
The next day's objective, Black Peak, looms ominously to the west.
Young Ram comes across the ridge.
Aaron 'gets' to lead the summit pitch, which is not very hard.
Bucky and Larry coming up the blocks to the actual summit.
Summit Photo! and then we rapped and downclimbed the route, and got ready for a big day the next.
Downclimbing the ridge - this ledge across the summit block allowed easy access to the easier, West Ridge.
Larry Halford, out-standing on his ridge.
Moving down the ridge. A bit of tedious downclimbing, a bit of rappelling, more than a bit of tedious dirt-down-climbing... then back to town and Larry's for some grub, and the annual Ram trip to the Mazama General Store.