Granite Peak Climber's Log

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Bruce S.

Bruce S. - Oct 2, 2007 3:59 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2007

Route Attempted: SW Couloir

Solo attempt via Sky Top Creek, from Lady of the Lake TH. A long, arduous approach (I estimate about twelve miles), featuring many hours of tedious rock-hopping over endless boulder fields (although I understand the Aero Lakes approach is actually more difficult). I was definitely slowed by inexperience and a too-heavy pack.

Reached the Cairn Mtn./Granite Peak saddle and the base of the SW face of Granite Peak about 10:30 am on August 1, after camping in a spectacular high camp in the upper Sky Top valley, east of the Villard/Pinnacles col and west of Cairn Mtn. Saw snow in my presumed route up to the diamond-shaped slab that guards the hidden SW couloir of Granite Peak, and made the decision that a solo scramble wasn't an acceptable risk. I will be back, lighter, smarter, hopefully not solo, and perhaps via one of the standard approaches.

Enjoyed perfect weather each day, but some rain every evening, including a lightning storm while in my high camp. Once above Lone Elk Lake, drank the water from Sky Top Creek untreated. Did not make it back to the TH on August 1st, instead camping, exhausted, at a beautiful campsite at the confluence of Star and Zimmer creeks.

If solitude is important to you, this may be the best approach to Granite Peak. I’m posting a couple of pictures on the Granite Peak page under SW Couloir route.

lonewolf2401

lonewolf2401 - Sep 14, 2007 12:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 1987

Granite Peak  Sucess!

Hiked up the switchbacks from hell from Mystic solo. Made basecamp at the rock shelters the first night. Great weather and great climb up the standard east ridge. Had cached my pack at the col before summitting, and dropped down Huckleberry drainage for the second night. Bad move in many ways, good in others. The boulder field is the worst I have ever negotiated and camping sites were very limited at Avalanche Lake. The scenery was incredible! The third day, hiked down to Mystic Lake and was very happy I had not used this route on the approach! Since that memorable trip, I have returned to Granite five times, using the Aero Lakes approach to the south face twice. I plan on my seventh trip in 2008 when I will lead a group of friends up. Can't wait! Climb safe and happy trails

mad maximus

mad maximus - Sep 5, 2007 1:45 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2007

Bummer

Climbed with two friends on FTD. Reached the saddle when clouds started pouring over Tempest. Not enough food for another day, will try again next year.

cackalackyclimber

cackalackyclimber - Sep 4, 2007 12:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2003

Roasting on FTD  Sucess!

Relentless heat and sun beat down on us on the open tundra of FTD plateau. Hard to complain, though, when we enjoyed a couple of hours on the summit of a beautiful mountain with nobody else around!

VincePoore

VincePoore - Aug 27, 2007 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007

Southwest Couloir Route  Sucess!

Summitted with my friend Corbin from Billings. Neither of us had done this route before. We had three days of great weather as is often a big part of a successful summit. I felt it was a much more difficult approach than FTD. The climbing in the couloir had a few difficult spots especially where there was ice, but the exposure is less severe. We approached Skytop drainage via Rough Lake rather than Aero lakes.

granitepeaker

granitepeaker - Jul 25, 2007 1:03 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2007

6th Summit  Sucess!

Great day, great weather, great fun. Made the summit with five friends. The snow bridge was quite minimal and the plateau quite dry ... all which made for a nice quick trip.

chugach mtn boy

chugach mtn boy - Jul 22, 2007 3:03 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2007

E Rosebud & E Ridge  Sucess!

Brought a teenage daughter up while traversing the range from E Rosebud to Cooke. I had last climbed it 8/4/1979. It's still a beautiful and unspoiled peak.

xskier77

xskier77 - Jul 8, 2007 2:08 am Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2007

awesome  Sucess!

Climbed with Bill, Gary, Wayne, Jeff, Gary, Rich, Stan and Jan. The climb was very exciting with sections of 4th class climbing and loads of exposure. I can't wait to do another climb like Granite.

VincePoore

VincePoore - Jul 5, 2007 9:18 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2007

Another step closer

I set this goal sometime during the 04/05 winter and that's how I stumbled upon this fantastic world of SP. In July of 05, I hiked up to FTD and realized I was way out of shape. By 06, I had proved my stamina on Mt Wood and made it to the Tempest/Granite saddle before realizing that to summit from high camp and return to the car in 1 day was impossible for me. Now on this day in '07, seven climbers had planned to summit and I made it farther than all of them. However, in the end I am just too inexperienced to be soloing the entire route and I turned back at the top of the X chimney.

austin.timm - Mar 26, 2007 6:27 am Date Climbed: Feb 23, 2007

FTD Plateau Winter Attempt

Made it seven miles in. Hurricane force wind turned us around just before the plateau. Burly.

aintlifegrand

aintlifegrand - Mar 23, 2007 6:28 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2005

2 E Ridge summits, failed N face attemt  Sucess!

Summited twice from FTD, attemted N Face from Huckleberry, turned back at top of glacier (ran out of time) Went all the way from bozeman to top of granite glacier back to bozeman in 2 days (Sat, Sun) That makes for a LONG weekend! Oh yeah, my buddy took a swing at a goat (with an ice axe)in the middle of the night, the goat jumped over me and landed on my other friend. Jabbed him in the back pretty good. That doesnt happen every day!

The edge

The edge - Mar 14, 2007 4:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2003

HP #42  Sucess!

After two unsuccesfull attempts;
Here I am again to tackle THE MONSTER from FTD plateau...
Thank to a group of very experienced rock climbing girls from nearby Billings; I was finally succesful on the top!!
We got showered on by hale on the way down... Very nice climb...
Thanks again girls for all the help...

montana boy

montana boy - Feb 20, 2007 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2006

std. route  Sucess!

Perfect weather. Met some great folks on the plateau; excellent trip overall.

weeds19

weeds19 - Feb 20, 2007 9:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2002

Wonderful trip!  Sucess!

This was one of my favorite climbs of all time! I left Ogden UT one afternoon and enjoyed two days of solo climbing and hiking on this remote and rugged peak. I was also hoping to climb Tempest Mtn, but a hail storm forced me to hunker down for a little over an hour and by that point I was about out of daylight. This peak offers some interesting route finding challenges, and I missed the easiest way up while ascending (instead I climbed an easy 5th class chimney). On the way down I was able to find the normal route and I enjoyed an uneventful descent.

Rick F

Rick F - Feb 3, 2007 7:43 pm

Cold and remote  Sucess!

Another amazing peak witha if you fall you die routes If i am right ther is not a esy way up this beast .
went Up FTD . when you cam if possible find a out of the wind place and do not be surpsied if it snows on you it did d both afternooos i went !
enjoy and be safe not a easy one if you are doing high points hire a guide if you are not conmfy on exposed Rock

benjohnson

benjohnson - Feb 1, 2007 10:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006

Sweet  Sucess!

Great peak, tons of fun. Got off the peak just in time for the groppel, and to the plateau just in time for lightning strikes (sketchy). Packed up camp and got to the car in the wet darkness that night. Misery. Why do we call this fun again?

atavist

atavist - Nov 13, 2006 7:17 am Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2002

epic: i did it before and I'll do it again  Sucess!

unforgettable

surgent

surgent - Oct 19, 2006 7:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2002

A real challenge, but worth every step  Sucess!

Part of a group of 11 led by Dave Covill of Colorado. This peak stretched my skill level considerably, but we were all successful and it was a safe day for everyone. Weather held for us. My second attempt, first success. Trip Report

Outdoorpartner

Outdoorpartner - Oct 5, 2006 6:38 am Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2003

Too serious

Too technical for my skill level; summited a nearby peak with a great view.

paclimber

paclimber - Sep 5, 2006 6:20 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006

Granite Peak, August 2006  Sucess!

Very enjoyable climb, with some amazing views of the Beartooths. My favorite of the state highpoints, so far (#44). Got off the summit just in time, as storm was blowing in. Had trouble navigating back to high camp (11,500') due to dense fog. 2-3 inches of snow fell on us that night. Goats were good company, too

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