Gallery: Alpinism

Noam bringing in a handline he had set from the rappel anchor to the summit. The Castle, Tatoosh Range, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. 

Our second rope follows us through the clouds as we cross the Quien Sabe glacier. Sahale Peak, North Cascades, Washington. 

Our rope teams wait for another climbing team to descend from the summit. The steep snow meeting the rock in the upper-middle part of the frame is the final snow climb, which we protected with multiple pickets. I was the last climber of both teams, so I ended up racking and climbing with the pickets for the class 3 rock finish. Sahale Peak, North Cascades, Washington. 

Taking a break a few hundred feet below the summit of Eldorado Peak. The North Cascades are a world class mountain range. Eldorado Peak, North Cascades, Washington.

The famous knife-edge of Eldorado Peak, what Fred Beckey called the "Queen of the Cascade River." With only a shoulder-width amount of space to step and precipitous drops on each side, it is an eye opener. I would love to go back and do this climb again. Eldorado Peak, North Cascades, Washington. 

As we cross the impressive Sulphide Glacier toward Mt. Shuksan, its 500' summit pyramid looms ahead. When you can see your ultimate challenge as you cross a glacier, a lot goes through you head. "That looks scary." "Will I be able to climb that?" "Where's the route up?" When you get closer, some of the questions get answered. The answers to most don't come until you have hands on rock. Mt. Shuksan, North Cascades, Washington. 

Did I mention that the North Cascade range is world class? Climbing the Class 3 summit pyramid of Mt. Shuksan with Mt. Baker filling the background. Mt. Shuksan, North Cascades, Washington.