July 15th Beyond Baekos Creek to Kodak Peak

Red Pass- allegedly the last big obstacle to overcome if you're to conquer Glacier Peak Wilderness. I arose feeling a bit nervous but once we got up into the snow I discovered things weren't as bad as they'd been made out to be. Route finding was relatively easy despite the absence of trail. Employing a strategy of "island hopping"---going from one exposed hillock or mound or rock to another---we made good progress to the top of the pass arriving there before noon. The top of the ridge was exposed and walking up the trail, the view from the other side slowly revealed itself until suddenly, there in the distance glistening like a diamond in the sun is the glacier covered peak of Mt. Ranier. Wow! Spectacular! Then, looking down at the trail we have yet to cross is a very steep/icy snow slope. Crap! Crossing this baby definitely made the knees weak. Sphincter factor---I'd give it a nine. My oh my was there a big sigh of relief upon reaching terra firma on the other side. Other snow slopes would follow, but to avoid the majority of them John and I climbed up to exposed ground a couple hundred feet above. It was difficult on the steep terrain but preferrable to slipping down a chute and potentially off a cliff. We fought snow off and on the rest of the day making frustratingly slow headway. John slid down a short chute and had to repair his busted waistbelt again. We stopped early because we actually came across a campsite that was snow free. I scouted ahead for about half a mile, but all I saw was snow beneath Mt. Kodak. Looks as though another day of trail finding and snow pounding awaits. Argh!

On the Way to Red Pass

Red Pass

Mt. Ranier from Red Pass

11Miles