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IBEXtrax.com - Cascade Mountains of Washington StateGlacier Peak Wilderness, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie Forest |
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06 017 Dog doo lunch stop along the Downey Ck trail
06 018 Dog doo with a bite along the Downey Ck trail
06 019 Bachelor Ck crossing Tom B
On this first trip to Bachelor Meadows, to start with the climbers needed to get six miles up Downey Creek trail and then turn East up Bachelor Creek. The map showed two Bachelor Creek crossings like this with bouncing confident circus moves. A brushy path right before the log showed some less skilled (smarter) chose to keep South of the creek instead of crossing twice. Turns out the second crossing log was submerged.
06 020 Steeple Spinster Bachelor Meadows
From the first time they saw this rocky monolith, they knew it must be climbed. The climbers called it the Spinster of Bachelor Meadows. A later study of the guide found the peak was named The Steeple. The first ascent as made in 1962 by an unknown party.
Morning drying out party at Mule Lake Camp. The climbers found out overnight the temperature, barometric pressure and the humidity fell perfectly at the dew point. Everything was totally soaked. Luckily the clear weather and warming sun did a good job.
06 022 The Steeple The Spinster of Bachelor Meadows
Rising above the steep green slopes of Bachelor Meadow is a sharp dark pyramid that stands alone on the ridge crest. The climbers named it Spinster but later learned it was The Steeple.
Tucked in a sixth-five hundred foot hollow above Bachelor Meadows the climbers found snow covered Spire Lake. Beyond was the rounded West "butt"ress of The Marmot Back (7560'+). The Marmot Head is at the East end.
06 024 Warren step on The Spinster of Bachelor Meadows
Within the higher levels of advanced technical rock climbing, the climbers reached a skill level that enters the realm of the artist. With the rare expertise of a ballet dancer, the rock climber flows from hold to hold and exhibits a sense of balance seldom seen but in the alpine world. An important key to maintaining an artistic flow is to never over extend your reach or choose a foot hold that makes you step above your knee.
06 025 Climbing The Steeple Tom B
Climbing the Steeple South Ridge of The Steeple is a scramble. Care needs to be taken because although there are many climbing holds, some are loose.
06 026 Warren on The Steeple with Glacier Pk
Good view of Glacier Peak from The Steeple summit.
06 027 Tom B on The Steeple with Spire Gl
This view to the east from the summit of The Steeple is occupied by the Spire Glacier. The Spire Glacier is the largest ice remnant to feed the downey Creek drainage. Streams such as Downey Creek lie in straight deep glacial troughs which head in large two story cirques with floors from 2500ft to 4000ft. Often higher cirques like this have floors from 4500ft to 6000ft and hold hanging ice typical of the North Cascades area.
06 028 Across Spire Ck to Eldorado Johannesburg Formidable
Looking north from The Steeple and beyond Spire Ck and the brush chocked upper reaches of Downey Ck is an example of the vast variety of climbing terrain found in the North Cascades. In line with the notch that heads Slim Lk is the white triangle of Eldorado Pk that offers a glacier approach and an exposed snow arete. Johannesburg Mtn is a rock climb on steep chutes of Skagit Gneiss. Mt Formidable is a mixed climb.
06 029 Tom B descends with Mt Buckindy area
On the descent of The Steeple and before the climbers dropped down into Bachelor Meadows, they found a good view across Downey Creek to the Mt Buckindy Area. The rust colored reddish rocks tell of metamorphic change from heat and pressure from the nearby plutonic mass of Snowking Mountain. Centered here is Mt Misch that honors the U-dub geologist Peter Misch who contributed much to North Cascade geology.
06 030 Bachelor Meadows Above Mule Lake
Looks like a pleasant stroll down a flower covered meadow; Right? Looks can be deceiving. Thing is all the succulent plants are full of water and when crushed by a boot will turn to mush. Hidden just below the pretty blossoms are irregular shapes upto bowling ball size boulders. Ever try negotiating a slope of slimy bowling balls? The trick to keep from breaking your tailbone or a wrist when you slip and fall is to land on your pack.
06 030m Bachelor Meadows Steeple map
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