Route Climbed: Avalanche Lake Date Climbed: August 1st
Wow, what a neat place. There are lots of peaks here that haven't been climbed very often...and probably some really challenging potential technical routes that make climbers like me drool. There was perfect weather and I'm glad we took the VERY scenic Avalanche Lake route because, according to one guy we met on the mountain, the Froze-to-Death Plateau "Got old." I posted a few pics...not very nice quality but they give you an idea of the great scenery.
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: July 13, 2003
Climbed this on the a 13th. Glad I don't suffer from triskaidekaphobia, as the East Ridge has a fair amount of pucker factor. Glad to have the cairns to show me the way, else it might have turned into a routefinding nightmare for this soloist.
Route Climbed: South Face (Standard) via Froze-To-Death Plateau Date Climbed: August 31, 2003
Ol' Granite is a tough nut to crack. But, thanks to good weather and a great friends, we made it happen. We camped about half way across FTD plateau and it took us 13 hours tent to tent. I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with Martin Cash, Mishell, and Eric (hendere). Special thanks to Eric for enduring 45 hours in the car with me and for being a great climbing partner. I couldn't have done it without you!
Route Climbed: Froze to Death/Keyhole Chimney Date Climbed: August 25, 2003
Three day backpacking/climbing trip with my son, Dan. Climbed the peak monday via the chimney that leads directly to the Keyhole. The top of this mountain is a spectacular place! Well worth the effort, the friendly goats are a neat bonus.
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: August 14, 2002
We took our ice climbing gear for a hike up to Avalanche Lake, two days after I competed in a 20 mile ridge run in the Bridger Mountains of Montana. The glacier was severely melted out and dirty, with an ugly approach, so we backed out of the North Face plan and climbed the East Ridge. The route was fun, we stayed on the crest of the ridge the whole time, making for more interesting climbing and great views of the North side. The 5.6 chimney variation was a great treat just before the summit. From the top I spotted my next big Beartooth route, the Beckey Couloir on Glacier Peak. The goats ate the straps on my helmet while it was covering the food bag to keep the rodents away!
Route Climbed: Avalanche Lake Date Climbed: August 01 2002
Camped at the South end of Avalanche Lake first night
with the urine licking goats. Had perfect weather for all three days.
I would advise trying the Froze-To -Death-Plateau route first, the boulders are a bear. Stay near the water as much as possible until you hit 7/8 of the way around the lake.
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: September 1, 2002
My friend Duane and I finally returned to Granite Peak after failing to summit in 1995. It was Joel's first attempt. We approached via West Rosebud Creek and Mystic Lake this time, and were pleased with the improved scenery on this approach. We camped low on Froze-to-Death Plateau on August 30, not intending to climb on the 31st because the weather forecast sounded pretty nasty - and proved to be right. But we did move camp somewhat closer to the peak, and found much better water there. The camp is at the junction of the north and east-west spurs of the plateau. A large snowfield provides terrific water, and with a good early start the mountain is not too far away if the weather holds until after noon. That is what happened for us, except that the weather never did get "bad", although it was very windy all day, growing worse during our hike back to camp. We were behind several other parties, so route-finding was easy. Two rappels made the summit area easy to descend. All in all a terrific trip!
Route Climbed: Froze-to-death Date Climbed: 1 Aug 01
My wife and I left the West Rosebud/ power plant trailhead at 7:30 pm, and made camp in the dark at the top of the switchbacks at 10,000' at midnight. The next day we made it to the edge of the plateau next to Tempest at 12,080'. We contemplated an afternoon ascent if no thunderstorms developed, but opted to rest instead. Weather radio now began predicting an incoming storm, and sure enough, after a night of high winds 1-2 inches of snow covered the tent and everything above 10,000'. We waited out the next day, and that evening the skies began to clear. Most of the snow was gone by mid morning the next day. We carried one ice axe, and belayed each other across the snow bridge. Route finding was interesting even with good beta. Exposure wasn't as terrible as I expected, but we belayed across a couple sections. We summitted at noon, rappelled a few short pitches, and made a long hike out.
Route Climbed: Mystic Lake route Date Climbed: august 1975
Was a great climb. Was young and inexperienced and took no rope, so got a little dicey at top, but highly recommend this climb. The view is great. Was lucky in that we didn't have any thunderstorms roll in.
Route Climbed: Phantom Lake Trail Date Climbed: Aug 1999
It was a great climb! We had wonderful weather, except for a few afternoon showers. Weather is usually the deciding factor of whether you're going to make it or not and this area is notorious for storms brewing up quickly. I know people that have made it to base camp or even part way up the mountain (several times) only for a big snowstorm or thunderstorm to move in during a matter of minutes. Most people rope up when climbing Granite, especially going across the snow bridge and the last couple hundred feet or so. But, it isn't needed and we actually didn't rope up. I just thought it was a great time and an awesome experience. And I have one down on the quest for the 50 highest points of each state. I totally recommend climbing Granite, intermediate or even fit beginners can make it, but it's fun for more experienced climbers, too.
phyle - Nov 25, 2003 1:05 am
Route Climbed: Avalanche Lake Date Climbed: August 1stWow, what a neat place. There are lots of peaks here that haven't been climbed very often...and probably some really challenging potential technical routes that make climbers like me drool. There was perfect weather and I'm glad we took the VERY scenic Avalanche Lake route because, according to one guy we met on the mountain, the Froze-to-Death Plateau "Got old." I posted a few pics...not very nice quality but they give you an idea of the great scenery.
Klenke - Nov 13, 2003 7:27 pm
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: July 13, 2003Climbed this on the a 13th. Glad I don't suffer from triskaidekaphobia, as the East Ridge has a fair amount of pucker factor. Glad to have the cairns to show me the way, else it might have turned into a routefinding nightmare for this soloist.
Hendere - Sep 10, 2003 8:23 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: August 31, 2003Climbed with Alan Ellis. Perfect weather, fun rock. Did not rope up except to rap down. Goats all over the place. Long day and a lot of fun.
Alan Ellis - Sep 6, 2003 9:59 am
Route Climbed: South Face (Standard) via Froze-To-Death Plateau Date Climbed: August 31, 2003Ol' Granite is a tough nut to crack. But, thanks to good weather and a great friends, we made it happen. We camped about half way across FTD plateau and it took us 13 hours tent to tent. I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with Martin Cash, Mishell, and Eric (hendere). Special thanks to Eric for enduring 45 hours in the car with me and for being a great climbing partner. I couldn't have done it without you!
Paul Burkholder - Aug 30, 2003 9:48 am
Route Climbed: Froze to Death/Keyhole Chimney Date Climbed: August 25, 2003Three day backpacking/climbing trip with my son, Dan. Climbed the peak monday via the chimney that leads directly to the Keyhole. The top of this mountain is a spectacular place! Well worth the effort, the friendly goats are a neat bonus.
b. - Aug 21, 2003 1:57 pm
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: August 14, 2002We took our ice climbing gear for a hike up to Avalanche Lake, two days after I competed in a 20 mile ridge run in the Bridger Mountains of Montana. The glacier was severely melted out and dirty, with an ugly approach, so we backed out of the North Face plan and climbed the East Ridge. The route was fun, we stayed on the crest of the ridge the whole time, making for more interesting climbing and great views of the North side. The 5.6 chimney variation was a great treat just before the summit. From the top I spotted my next big Beartooth route, the Beckey Couloir on Glacier Peak. The goats ate the straps on my helmet while it was covering the food bag to keep the rodents away!
grandwazoo - Jun 30, 2003 11:34 am
Route Climbed: Avalanche Lake Date Climbed: August 01 2002Camped at the South end of Avalanche Lake first night
with the urine licking goats. Had perfect weather for all three days.
I would advise trying the Froze-To -Death-Plateau route first, the boulders are a bear. Stay near the water as much as possible until you hit 7/8 of the way around the lake.
jurvman - Sep 17, 2002 1:42 pm
Route Climbed: Avalanche Lake Date Climbed: august 20, 2002Boulders, Boulders, Boulders...Did I say Boulders.
The approach is the brutal part of this climb. Great campsite at Cold Lake. Plenty of company. (i.e. mountain goats.)
If anyone found a pair of Smith Mainline sunglasses at the summit or at the saddle of Mt.Tempest they're mine and I'll pay for shipping...
Thanks, Jeff
406-454-8536
jurvman@hotmail.com
Bob Bolton - Sep 16, 2002 7:06 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: September 1, 2002My friend Duane and I finally returned to Granite Peak after failing to summit in 1995. It was Joel's first attempt. We approached via West Rosebud Creek and Mystic Lake this time, and were pleased with the improved scenery on this approach. We camped low on Froze-to-Death Plateau on August 30, not intending to climb on the 31st because the weather forecast sounded pretty nasty - and proved to be right. But we did move camp somewhat closer to the peak, and found much better water there. The camp is at the junction of the north and east-west spurs of the plateau. A large snowfield provides terrific water, and with a good early start the mountain is not too far away if the weather holds until after noon. That is what happened for us, except that the weather never did get "bad", although it was very windy all day, growing worse during our hike back to camp. We were behind several other parties, so route-finding was easy. Two rappels made the summit area easy to descend. All in all a terrific trip!
olsenn - Aug 5, 2001 7:02 pm
Route Climbed: Froze-to-death Date Climbed: 1 Aug 01My wife and I left the West Rosebud/ power plant trailhead at 7:30 pm, and made camp in the dark at the top of the switchbacks at 10,000' at midnight. The next day we made it to the edge of the plateau next to Tempest at 12,080'. We contemplated an afternoon ascent if no thunderstorms developed, but opted to rest instead. Weather radio now began predicting an incoming storm, and sure enough, after a night of high winds 1-2 inches of snow covered the tent and everything above 10,000'. We waited out the next day, and that evening the skies began to clear. Most of the snow was gone by mid morning the next day. We carried one ice axe, and belayed each other across the snow bridge. Route finding was interesting even with good beta. Exposure wasn't as terrible as I expected, but we belayed across a couple sections. We summitted at noon, rappelled a few short pitches, and made a long hike out.
pictioneer - Mar 25, 2001 6:14 pm
Route Climbed: Mystic Lake route Date Climbed: august 1975Was a great climb. Was young and inexperienced and took no rope, so got a little dicey at top, but highly recommend this climb. The view is great. Was lucky in that we didn't have any thunderstorms roll in.
Jezikah - Mar 23, 2001 5:39 pm
Route Climbed: Phantom Lake Trail Date Climbed: Aug 1999It was a great climb! We had wonderful weather, except for a few afternoon showers. Weather is usually the deciding factor of whether you're going to make it or not and this area is notorious for storms brewing up quickly. I know people that have made it to base camp or even part way up the mountain (several times) only for a big snowstorm or thunderstorm to move in during a matter of minutes. Most people rope up when climbing Granite, especially going across the snow bridge and the last couple hundred feet or so. But, it isn't needed and we actually didn't rope up. I just thought it was a great time and an awesome experience. And I have one down on the quest for the 50 highest points of each state. I totally recommend climbing Granite, intermediate or even fit beginners can make it, but it's fun for more experienced climbers, too.