underasail - Aug 27, 2016 4:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2016
Bad Weather, Still Worth It
Completed the traverse, but failed to tag Old Guard and Dome as planned. Two afternoons of beautiful weather, but every morning we packed up in the rain.
NatDeroxL7 - Jul 10, 2015 12:48 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2015
North to South June 2015
First alpine mountaineering I've ever done, quite a challenge, but also rewarding!
nickmech - May 1, 2014 1:29 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2011
north to south
Good camps. Great views and a bit of challenge route finding. Perfect weather entire trip.
Josh Lewis - Jul 16, 2013 12:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2013
Must Go!
Wow! This beat my expectations, and they were pretty high to being with. I am so happy I've had years of training to help me out on this adventure. If you live in Washington and are into big adventure, this is a must go! The scenery was incredible, the climb will fill your adventure thirst, and have you left with a experience you will not soon forget.
ecline - Sep 21, 2012 4:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2012
North to South
We climbed le Conte and Lizard mts, both fun scrambles. Cold and drizzly the first few days, then partly cloudy the rest of the time. The glaciers are in good shape, although the le Conte glacier was getting a bit hard to weave your way through the crevasses. The cold temperatures made crampons essential for much of the day. The route is fairly easy to follow due to a well-defined boot track, although some of the talus fields can be tricky where cairns are scarce. A wonderful trip. It's awe-inspiring to traverse from glacier to glacier, and sobering to see the glacial retreat in action and to wonder how long these glorious glaciers will remain for us to explore.
This is one of the best alpine traverses anywhere. The hike out totally sucks though, particularly when it is raining! I would suggest just doing an out and back from Cascade Pass. Five days, climbed Formidable and Dome, both great!
mvs - Aug 11, 2011 10:53 am Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2003
Great time
With Theron. We had an excellent trip, only a little rain on the last day. We climbed Formidable, Old Guard, Spire Point, Dome and Dynaflow Tower (a small but interesting crag). 6 wonderful days.
Norman - Aug 7, 2011 8:11 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2011
Wonderful
August 1-6. Amazing traverse, mountains, flowers, animals and more. Bagged Old Guard, tried two others , next time more summits now that we have the traverse down. Route finding was a challenge at some cols, but got some help from others on route. Lots of snow on route this year, Kool Aid Lake entirely in snow.
Norman, Eric and I picked up your blue shirt on the way down the bushwack. PM me and I'll arrange to return it to you.
nlunstrum - Feb 12, 2011 11:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2010
A Classic
Started Jul 22, finished July 27. North to South. Two other parties (4 people total) going the same direction as us but we passed and stayed ahead of one party and the other party stayed ahead of us so the route didn't feel crowded at all. Rain, wind, and whiteout conditions to Kool-Aid Lk the first day, then sunny and perfect temps the rest of the trip. Camped two nights at White Rock Lakes. Very few bugs.
Aaron Dyer - Aug 4, 2009 12:29 am Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2009
Too Crowded
Spent 5 days going north to south and climbed LeConte and Sentinel along the way. It was really hot and apparently the route has become the hip thing to do; there were 10 other people on it aside from my partner and I.
Eight days of alpine bliss! Started with two poor weather days before things cleared. Red ledge was a jog. Gaining it would have been more difficult once the snow melted out. White Rocks is as close as it gets to mountain perfection! A layover day there, a quick run up Dome, a last camp on Itswoot, and we were out! I'll be back one day!
willow - Sep 24, 2006 2:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2006
The lake tour is awesome too!
This is an awesome and amazing route through the Cascades. We had just perfect weather the whole 5 days it took us. We did the lake tour, no summits.
Mountain Jim - May 6, 2006 3:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 1985
South to North
Started on July 19th, finished on July 27th. One of the best mountain experiences I've ever had.
underasail - Aug 27, 2016 4:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2016
Bad Weather, Still Worth ItCompleted the traverse, but failed to tag Old Guard and Dome as planned. Two afternoons of beautiful weather, but every morning we packed up in the rain.
NatDeroxL7 - Jul 10, 2015 12:48 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2015
North to South June 2015First alpine mountaineering I've ever done, quite a challenge, but also rewarding!
Trip report posted:
http://www.summitpost.org/ptarmigan-traverse/805748
nickmech - May 1, 2014 1:29 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2011
north to southGood camps. Great views and a bit of challenge route finding. Perfect weather entire trip.
Josh Lewis - Jul 16, 2013 12:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2013
Must Go!Wow! This beat my expectations, and they were pretty high to being with. I am so happy I've had years of training to help me out on this adventure. If you live in Washington and are into big adventure, this is a must go! The scenery was incredible, the climb will fill your adventure thirst, and have you left with a experience you will not soon forget.
ecline - Sep 21, 2012 4:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2012
North to SouthWe climbed le Conte and Lizard mts, both fun scrambles. Cold and drizzly the first few days, then partly cloudy the rest of the time. The glaciers are in good shape, although the le Conte glacier was getting a bit hard to weave your way through the crevasses. The cold temperatures made crampons essential for much of the day. The route is fairly easy to follow due to a well-defined boot track, although some of the talus fields can be tricky where cairns are scarce. A wonderful trip. It's awe-inspiring to traverse from glacier to glacier, and sobering to see the glacial retreat in action and to wonder how long these glorious glaciers will remain for us to explore.
bc44caesar - Sep 15, 2011 12:37 pm
North to South TraverseThis is one of the best alpine traverses anywhere. The hike out totally sucks though, particularly when it is raining! I would suggest just doing an out and back from Cascade Pass. Five days, climbed Formidable and Dome, both great!
mvs - Aug 11, 2011 10:53 am Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2003
Great timeWith Theron. We had an excellent trip, only a little rain on the last day. We climbed Formidable, Old Guard, Spire Point, Dome and Dynaflow Tower (a small but interesting crag). 6 wonderful days.
Norman - Aug 7, 2011 8:11 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2011
WonderfulAugust 1-6. Amazing traverse, mountains, flowers, animals and more. Bagged Old Guard, tried two others , next time more summits now that we have the traverse down. Route finding was a challenge at some cols, but got some help from others on route. Lots of snow on route this year, Kool Aid Lake entirely in snow.
KathiParsons - Aug 9, 2011 1:54 pm
Re: WonderfulNorman, Eric and I picked up your blue shirt on the way down the bushwack. PM me and I'll arrange to return it to you.
nlunstrum - Feb 12, 2011 11:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2010
A ClassicStarted Jul 22, finished July 27. North to South. Two other parties (4 people total) going the same direction as us but we passed and stayed ahead of one party and the other party stayed ahead of us so the route didn't feel crowded at all. Rain, wind, and whiteout conditions to Kool-Aid Lk the first day, then sunny and perfect temps the rest of the trip. Camped two nights at White Rock Lakes. Very few bugs.
Aaron Dyer - Aug 4, 2009 12:29 am Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2009
Too CrowdedSpent 5 days going north to south and climbed LeConte and Sentinel along the way. It was really hot and apparently the route has become the hip thing to do; there were 10 other people on it aside from my partner and I.
mbollino - Mar 8, 2007 6:01 am
Absolute ClassicEight days of alpine bliss! Started with two poor weather days before things cleared. Red ledge was a jog. Gaining it would have been more difficult once the snow melted out. White Rocks is as close as it gets to mountain perfection! A layover day there, a quick run up Dome, a last camp on Itswoot, and we were out! I'll be back one day!
willow - Sep 24, 2006 2:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2006
The lake tour is awesome too!This is an awesome and amazing route through the Cascades. We had just perfect weather the whole 5 days it took us. We did the lake tour, no summits.
Mountain Jim - May 6, 2006 3:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 1985
South to NorthStarted on July 19th, finished on July 27th. One of the best mountain experiences I've ever had.
setrent - Dec 26, 2005 9:39 pm
Route Climbed: North to South Date Climbed: August, 2002The quintessential Cascades experience. Was weathered off of four summits, but managed to get one. I will go back and do this again.