Black Peak

Black Peak challenge

Climbed Black Peak NE Ridge with some variation because I always get off route, but we made it just the same.  Weather was the best the North Cascades could give us, super good friends doing our best to pretend we are mountaineers.  Hiked in like pros to Wing Lake  over some snow, which made the traverse over to Lewis and Wing Lake easy, on Saturday, July 7. Several dry bivy sites to choose from. Only two other parties we saw from a distance, plus two goats. Left our spot at 6:30 AM, Sunday wearing crampons right from camp. Snow was very firm, froze good overnight. Made the notch beginning the Ridge with no problems.  We got off route onto the east face at some point, took forever through some meaningful rock climbing back to ridge proper, but we did it.  I think the best trip reports say the true ridge should be followed... be warned.  We saw numerous slings on our off route indicating others did the same stupid thing.  Another North Cascade adventure with compatible friends in an environment that bond us as climbing partners for as long as we have legs for it.  Pictures tell the story...most of it...