18 replies to this topic

[soatley]

On our final hiking day, we were headed for Black Lake and beyond. Kristin and Scott never got the memo about the beyond part, so I was on my own to summit Pagoda. I had read the trip reports and studied Smudge's pictures on Summit Post, so I knew the general approach. I was very interested in the slabs, not so much interested in the junk in the gully.

Above Black Lake heading toward Pagoda 9:21am


Getting Closer 9:51 am


The general idea is to angle up to the left of the buttress and end up in the low point of the U in the top left. Then hang a right to the summit. The gully is full of loose rock and sand, but there are nice slabs to be found.

Buttress on Right U on the Left, Nice Slabs 10:05 am


So far so good. I got on the slabs and was having a blast.

Picture Like Smudge Posted but a Little Higher 10:09 am


After More Slabs the View Up at the Buttress and Back Down to Green and Italy 10:23 am




At some point I decided to go for broke and stay with the slabs heading to the right.

Goal Posts - my Original Plan are Clearly to my Left and I'm Higher on the Buttress 10:30 am





to be continued (part 1 of 3)...

[soatley]

I kept going on slabs with reasonable hand and foot holds up and to the right. It might have been nice to be taller, but I had nice grippy gloves, new boots, and a good strong upper body.

A look Down. Nice Boot, Green Lake. 10:49 am


More Slabs Until a Look to the Left Showed I was about at U Level 10:59 am.


You might ask why didn't I try to maneuver over to the U and get back on track.

Slabs, Beautiful Slabs 10:59 am.


I could see a ridge/fin to my right that I figured would be nice to take to the summit, so I kept heading on the slabs.

Ridge to Take to Summit 11:13 am


View to Left - Longs 11:13 am


On the Ridge in No Time - View to Right 11:22 am


Looking up the Ridge 11:22 am


Ten Plus Minutes of Nice Scrambling and a Summit Cairn Appeared 11:35 am


Yea! A Summit Register 11:37 am


to be continued (part 2 of 3)

[soatley]

A summit hike isn't complete without some shots in various directions.

View of Longs 11:39 am.


View Toward Wild Basin 11:39 am


View of the Ridge/Fin, Green Peeking Out Below 11:41 am


I decided to try the standard gully route down, so here's what you should have seen on the way up.

Easy Rocks Before the U. 12:01 pm


I don't know why I always veer to the right, but I actually went to the first Keyboard of the Wind pillar instead of the center of the U, so I headed down the gully on the right.

View Down the Crap Gully to Green Lake 12:09 pm


It was very slow going, and I missed my slabs.

Making Progress 12:34 pm


Very Close to Green Lake FINALLY 1:18 pm


Looking Back at my New Friend 1:40 pm


The end result. Would I do it again? Definitely. Would I let my daughter? No way. Would I recommend it? To Smudge or BigAl, yes.

Sandy O

[Rhonda]

Congratulations!

[DeeCeeM]

Way to go!

[Mark Zemmin]

Sandy,

That is an awesome report. I bet climbing those slabs was a blast. Impressive route finding.

[renate1]

Very cool report Sandy. You are my hero!

[John]

You have very hot looking hiking shoes.

[Igloo Ed]

Great trip, very adventurous of you. It looks like some nice clean slabs to climb, what a beauty.

[mathguy]

soatley, on 07 September 2011 - 04:10 PM, said:

The end result. Would I do it again? Definitely. Would I let my daughter? No way. Would I recommend it? To Smudge or BigAl, yes.

Sandy O

Bravo! Both to a successful summit of a difficult mountain and to your detailed trip report.
Maybe you should change your moniker to "Slab Maniac."

[soatley]

mathguy, on 08 September 2011 - 12:57 PM, said:

Bravo! Both to a successful summit of a difficult mountain and to your detailed trip report.
Maybe you should change your moniker to "Slab Maniac."

Done.

I'm glad you liked the report.

[mistylady]

Great report! The views from the top amazing! But, those slabs!!!! You are incredible!

[Monica]

Congratulations, Sandy!
I loved your report! You rock! No pun intended.

[Bill 007]

I love your slabs!!!!

Bill
(You maniac you!)

[mwilson]

Great report and pics. I'm glad you had such a great time.