Lennox Mountain 5894', Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Lennox Mountain is not one I would ever pick for a beautiful clear day; in all honesty I'm not sure if I'd ever really heard of it before Saturday evening. But Neek suggested it and I failed at coming up with a north-facing alternative.

From the east (via West Fork Miller River), Lennox is a fairly-adventurous route: a few miles of old brushy/rocky/creek-y road and then a 3200' grunt in 2.4 miles up Lennox's SE slope to Coney Lake. It's brushy, but never terrible; snow was sloppy but still passable (beware of melting underneath and potential posthole/punching through to waist depth). There are a couple steep gullies en route as well (see slide photo at bottom). We crossed Coney Lake and followed the east ridge up mellow bumps, past a couple small cornices and up to the summit.

Great views up top from a vantage point I'm not used to. Always interesting to see what someone else picks as a route! Bonus: word is Lennox is visible from Seattle.

Route starting from Miller River Rd; we went left (south) on ascent and took a better, more-direct descent line

Quite a bit of the old mining road looks like this...

...and this, where it was washed out

Starting up Lennox's SE slope

Waterfall around 3500'; went left on the way up but came down on the ridge to the right of it in this photo

Breaking out of the trees around 4500'

Neek at Coney Lake; we crossed and took the east ridge ramp above the trees

Coming up the east ridge, looking back at where the above photo was taken; Alpine Lakes Wilderness peaks beyond 

With Glacier Peak and the Dakobed Range

Lennox summit, looking north to the Glacier Peak Wilderness

Looking south to Rainier with Kaleetan and I-90 peaks peeking above the clouds

Rainier, Alpine Lakes Wilderness peaks, Stuart, Daniel, Hinman, etc.

One of the steep gullies: we glissaded and Neek brought down this slushy surface slough in a small slide

Rock Mountain, Nason Ridge

A last-minute change in plans had Eric and I hiking off Highway 2 Saturday morning, headed up Rock Mountain. Eric's TR with conditions is on NWHikers.

Arrowhead Mountain (l) and Jim Hill Mountain

Jim Hill

Cornices even in the forest, at ~5000'

Looking up toward the final ridge of Rock, ~5600'

Looking at the final slope to the summit ridge, from 6400'; summit above Eric's head

Eric about to pop through the break in the cornices

The steep ridge section at 5400'; we went right over the spine both on ascent and descent, though two skiers crossed the east-facing slope which we had sent surface slough down only an hour or two prior...

The Chiwaukum group: North, Middle, Big, Snowgrass

Back in warm temps and snow free below 4000'

Stormy Mountain, Chelan Range

After turning around early a few weeks ago Stormy got under my skin a bit. Armed with a better forecast/conditions, a more direct route and a trail-breaking partner (Eric), we were under six hours car-to-car, which was almost too quick given the lengthy drive.

Instead of the sinuous southwest ridge I tried last time, we started on road 5501 at ~2100' and took the west ridge from 3150' all the way to the summit. Up until 6600' the snow was firm and perfect and we only had some fresh and windblown snow for the last 600' vertical.

The route goes fairly straightforward: no brush, it's reasonably open with no route finding puzzles and nothing steeper than about 45 degrees (and those are short sections). You do gain about 1800' in the last mile to the summit, though. A very good winter-spring route in the right conditions.

12.1m, 5155' gain

Starting out on road 5501 with Stormy 5k' above

Some outcrops to stay north (left) of at ~4900'

Easy travel before the final push to the summit

Ascent ridge behind Eric

Reaching the broad, open summit

The summit offers views from Mt. Adams all the way to the eastern Pasayten

Zoom pano of the northern Chelan range, Entiat range, Glacier Peak, the Dakobed and Glacier Peak Wilderness peaks

Lake Chelan, Manson and Chelan

XC starts at the saddle right mid-ground and follows the middle ridge all the way to the summit; taken at about 2700' on road 5501

Chuckanut 50k sweeping - 2016

Thanks to Krissy and the usual sweep crew for another year cleaning up the course. This was the first year of the last four that the weather actually was quite nice! Thanks also to the aid volunteers for sticking around for us and to the runners for moving along quite nicely without any issues that required our attention.

Glenn's photos

Stormy Mountain (7196') attempt, Chelan Range

Stormy Mountain is the dominant peak of the southern Chelan Range. When Kevin and I attempted it last March after summiting Baldy Mountain we were turned back by thigh-deep postholing and a nasty wind. Yesterday, with a decent snowpack, snowshoes and reasonably-good forecast I was hoping to do Stormy's entire southwest ridge (~7.5m and 6000' gain just for the ascent).

Stormy Mountain SW ridge route as seen from Baldy Mountain (March 2015)

I ended up making it to point 5731' in just under four hours and getting blocked by the outcrops: the north side had a ton of wind-blown snow and a 4' cornice, while the south side had melting snow on a rock slab with a bad runout. Detouring back along the ridge, dropping down 50-75' and then contouring on the north side through the thick regrowth to regain the ridge past 5731' would definitely go (see ridge photo below).

A shorter winter route goes from the west side of the mountain off of road 5501, but I was unfortunately drawn to the long and sinuous SW ridge. Next time I'll just have to go back and summer when you can practically drive to the summit!

Snow conditions were good in the morning (quite firm and I didn't put on snowshoes until 4400') but by noon everything was sloppy and melting; mashed-potato mush. I wore my snowshoes all the way down to 3800' where I hit dirt. Even if I had reached the final summit ridge, which was fully exposed to the sun, I'm not sure how I would have felt about the conditions.

Entiat River Rd, Entiat River and the beginning on Stormy's SW ridge

Looking up at Stormy (l) and Baldy (r), from about 3900'

Canid tracks were plentiful around 4500-5000'

Looking up the Entiat valley to the central Entiat Range on the left (Kelly, Klone, Devil's Smokestack area) and the northern Chelan Range on the right (Duncan Hill and ridge)

Stormy's SW ridge from 5247'

SW Ridge from 5321'; Point 5731' is the higher-up outcropping area in the middle of the regrowth. The north side of the ridge (left) appears to be an easy work around, though the tree regrowth is pretty dense.

At least the mountains are in focus

Pano from 5731': Fourmile Ridge on the right, Tyee Ridge on the left

Looking back down the ridge from 5731'

Following my tracks out

Baker Lake and River

A leisurely stroll with Sir-Hikes-A-Lot along Baker Lake and River, a winter spot I've been meaning to get to for awhile. Handful of blowdowns that require a little effort and some creek washouts to watch your footing while crossing, but nothing overly difficult.

Doesn't get more PNW than moss and ferns; south end of Baker Lake trail

Old growth along Baker Lake

Looking north at Mt. Blum

Noisy Creek washout delta

Looking up Baker River

Lake Creek washout on the Baker River trail (still passable with a little hop up the embankment)

Baker River

Sulphide Creek drainage and Mt. Shuksan's Jagged Ridge

Mt. Shuksan's Jagged Ridge

Semi-recent gear purchases: Pearl Izumi, Patagonia, Icebreaker, WoolX, MLD

A few items I've purchased over the last year that now are in my usual rotation of outdoor goods, alongside these I posted in 2015: ultra-pocketed shorts and 2014 favorite items. 

Pearl Izumi: Road N0 v2 (yes, I'm a PI ambassador)

I only wear racing flats a few times a year, so admittedly this was a bit of an unnecessary purchase because my Mizuno Musha 4 from three years ago still is in nearly-new shape (and those are great shoes, too!). Although this is a v2 and the newer PI road shoes have a firmer-feeling midsole compared to the original line, this one maintains the older midsole material. It is softer than the new v3 shoes, there is just less material, as a racing flat is meant to be. Normal seamless PI upper that breaths very well and is lightweight; lightweight laces, too.

I wore them for the Geoduck Half and still will use them sporadically for track workouts. For me, the shoe is best for half and under distance, neutral and skinny runners (I'm 5'9"ish, 152lb and appreciate a bit more cushion for 13 miles of pavement).

Pearl Izumi Road N2 v3 standard trainer (top) and N0 v2 racer

Patagonia: R1 Hoody, Duckbill Cap (verdict pending...)

Patagonia gear is great, but it's hard to get over the price. Using a one-time pro deal through a friend I was finally able to swallow, close my eyes and click, as the discount made the price comparable to other brands.

I tend to hike/run on the hot side, often wearing fewer layers than others. I've worn the R1 on a few hikes and wear it straight up without a baselayer underneath. It's so warm that I think it'll only be an October-February piece for me. I love the balaclava-style hood and long chest zip for venting.

The R1 Hoody in Mount Rainier National Park, Jan '16

...and the R1 in slightly less ideal weather in the Teanaway, Nov '15. No need for a balaclava.

The Duckbill Cap is an odd piece, however. Thin, large-holed mesh makes up the back, but the front piece and bill is a DWR-coated shell material (from Patagonia shorts). I have no idea why the back of the hat is uber breathable and then the front traps heat with that material? When I ordered it I figured it was a normal, lightweight synthetic shirt-type material like other "active" hats. I've only worn it a few times, so I'll hold off total judgment for now, but it does seem to be an odd pair...

Icebreaker: BodyFit 150g baselayers

Sierra Trading Post always is a great place for outdoor deals. Last summer I purchased three Icebreaker 150g baselayer shirts at a steep discount. Simply put, I love them in pretty much every non-heat condition. I don't think merino wool "cools" in summer like some brands promote, but September-May these are some of my favorite shirts, even when just running around town.

Icebreaker Merino baselayer in Nevada, Oct '15

WoolX: Merino Base Camp Hoodie 160g

Whatever pricing algorithm Amazon uses it definitely can pay off for a keen observer. I snagged this right before the Nevada trip for $35 (it's now back up to $95?). I wore it for two days straight in Great Basin National Park and since have worn it for various hikes and runs. It's a nice versatile piece for layering, just keep velcro away so as not to start piling the wool.

Layering the WoolX Hoodie in GBNP, Oct '15

And making use of the hood, which is nice and breathable
(yeah, I originally purchased this as Ben is almost always wearing his, but from a different company)

Mountain Laurel Designs: eVENT rain mitts 

A Sir-Hikes recommendation, I used these running the Wonderland and they now are my standard shell layer down to mid-20s F. I prefer to pair them with a lightweight wool glove.

Geoduck Gallop Half Marathon - 2016

I started off the new year doing something completely new, something I never really considered doing until about seven weeks ago: working with a part-time coach. I've never had any set structure to my running and doing one or two up-tempo runs a month is all the speed work I've ever done.

For January I did two workouts a week (thanks Ethan for keeping me company on a number of them) and while my body has needed some adjusting, it has been refreshing to do something new and hopefully be stronger for late-spring and summer objectives. 

On Saturday the Geoduck Gallop Half was my first real test of how the training has been going. My previous half PR at Boundary Bay was on a pancake flat course that seems to always be into a headwind on the way out and downwind on the way back. The Geoduck course was hillier than I expected (~515' gain), so even though I was a minute or so off where I wanted to be the effort level felt harder than my previous half races and I snagged a 12 second PR (1:29:48). Being a small race that worked out to 5th male (6th overall), while Ethan torched the course in 1:14:47 for the win. Nice.

Now it's time to hopefully start targeting more strength-building workouts with an eye toward the mountains...