Evening Peak, Ram's North Cascade Adventure Camp

2-Finally on the west side, we got our permit for 4 days to cross what we are calling the Eldorado Ice Cap. We hoped to snag 6 peaks in the 4 days. Mark would join us for a day and a night and head out the way he came. Sonny, Aaron and I, joined by the multi talented Ziff, would continue on. The first day is a bit of a monster. River crossing, steep forest, alders, talus, heather, snow and finally rock and glacier. The 1st of 6 distinct glaciers, in the 4 days. We started early in the AM at 2150 feet, had a 200 foot descent between basins, set camp at 7,600 feet, ate and went up to the summit for sunset, at 8,900 feet for a big day of just under 7,000 feet of ascent. Our high camp was splendid. We went to bed with great anticipation for the vast new ice clad territory awaiting us...

Crossing North Cascade River

Thrashing through the Alders - Ram in one of his many, natural environments

Toiling though old growth forest

l to r. Sonny, Ziff and Mark at first water

Sweat and sunscreen. Marks' brow.

Ram and the heart of the range in view

Mark on the Eldorado Glacier. The peaks of the Ptarmigan traverse behind him

Mt Torment. Lovely names in that range. Others? Fury, Terror, Despair, Forbidden etc.

The elusive Mt. Johannesberg

Sonny and Mark. Camp set and dinner made before the evening ascent

Aaron Ramras and Steven Ziff in the high camp

Sonny casually melting snow

Up, up, up. The peak somewhere up there!

A late day cresting of the ridge

On the final ridge. The Inspiration glacier below, Klawatti peak beyond

Steps kicked and the snow arete. Careful now!!

Aaron on the summit. The Triad behind him

Ziff awakes from an evening nap

Leaving the summit. Sonny and Ram

Top of the world

Mt Goode getting late day sun, behind Ram. At 9,200 feet above sea level, the highest peak in the park. It generally takes 3-5 days to climb and can't be seen from any road