Best Scrambles in WA
Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 9:24 am
Greetings!
I've been around here for a while, but I think this is my first topic. I have been doing some research on where I should eventually go as I'm trying to get in shape for the upcoming hiking season, and I have found lots of great hikes, and also lots of great climbs, but what I'm really looking for are the things that sort of fall in-between those two extremes.
What are some of the best scramble routes you have done around WA? What I consider best might not be the same as you, but some of the things I like are a short-ish approach if possible, shorter drive from Puget Sound area, good alpine/backcountry feel, straightforward elevation gain (switchbacks anger me sometimes), and preferably a summit, but not exclusively. Mainly I'm interested in stuff from the Mountain Loop area to the Snoqualmie area, but throw them all in here. To give you a few ideas, some of my favorites so far: Ingalls South Peak, Volcanic Neck (http://www.summitpost.org/volcanic-neck/460381), Bean Peak (I like the Teannaway but its a long drive), Mount Daniel, HiBox, Red Mountain (Snoq.) off-route was pretty sketchy but fun. I have done more but I would like to know what you all think are some of the "best" scramble-type routes around the North-Central Cascades
I would like to eventually get into more serious stuff like glacier travel, etc. Unfortunately I usually don't have a partner and don't know a whole lot of people to go with who are competent, so this season i think I will concentrate on scrambles to get back in shape for the mountains. On a side note though, if anyone in the area would like to join me on some of these ventures (soon I will be commencing conditioning hikes as well), I would love company. I don't go alone by choice, mainly I just don't know anyone who likes punishing themselves hiking uphill in the wilderness like I usually end up doing.
I've been around here for a while, but I think this is my first topic. I have been doing some research on where I should eventually go as I'm trying to get in shape for the upcoming hiking season, and I have found lots of great hikes, and also lots of great climbs, but what I'm really looking for are the things that sort of fall in-between those two extremes.
What are some of the best scramble routes you have done around WA? What I consider best might not be the same as you, but some of the things I like are a short-ish approach if possible, shorter drive from Puget Sound area, good alpine/backcountry feel, straightforward elevation gain (switchbacks anger me sometimes), and preferably a summit, but not exclusively. Mainly I'm interested in stuff from the Mountain Loop area to the Snoqualmie area, but throw them all in here. To give you a few ideas, some of my favorites so far: Ingalls South Peak, Volcanic Neck (http://www.summitpost.org/volcanic-neck/460381), Bean Peak (I like the Teannaway but its a long drive), Mount Daniel, HiBox, Red Mountain (Snoq.) off-route was pretty sketchy but fun. I have done more but I would like to know what you all think are some of the "best" scramble-type routes around the North-Central Cascades
I would like to eventually get into more serious stuff like glacier travel, etc. Unfortunately I usually don't have a partner and don't know a whole lot of people to go with who are competent, so this season i think I will concentrate on scrambles to get back in shape for the mountains. On a side note though, if anyone in the area would like to join me on some of these ventures (soon I will be commencing conditioning hikes as well), I would love company. I don't go alone by choice, mainly I just don't know anyone who likes punishing themselves hiking uphill in the wilderness like I usually end up doing.