Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Stars over Cle Ellum valley from Longs Pass
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
David at dawn
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Rainier at sunrise from Longs Pass
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Gravitational anomaly below Longs Pass
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Mt Stuart, our destination, elevation 9415'
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Ingall's Creek crossing, elevation 5000'
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Lupine in meadow below Ulrich's Culoir
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Flowers on the way up
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Paintbrush and Penstemon
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
David on ledges just before lunch stop halfway up.
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
David on crag overlooking the culoir
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Speedwell (Veronica sp.)
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
David under one of the three snowbanks left in the culoir
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Granite and grass
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
David on another crag. He likes scrambling up crags and scaring himself with the view down.
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
David in the culoir
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
David following a crack up the crux of the culoir, an extensive ledge just a little too steep for smearing in our hiking boots.
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Pedicularis sp.
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
David relaxing on one of the few patches of grass, about a thousand feet below the summit.
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
One of the handful of clumps of Moss Campion (Silene acaulis) we spotted on the way up
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Snowfield below the summit
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
David on the summit ridge
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
David resting on the summit
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Ingall's Peak at left, NW ridge of Stuart on the right, surrounded by fog blowing in from the west
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Fogbow over the north side of the summit ridge
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
The summit. We scrambled up just to the right of the right-hand snowfield
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Creeping Penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii), common and colorful.
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Sitka Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) near our camp below Longs Pass
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Our campsite
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
One of the local yellow black flies
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Western Tanager, aka "wasted teenager"
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Rhododendron albiflorum, common near camp
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Green bog orchid (Habenaria sp.) with cotton sedge
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Flowers in boggy meadow near camp - paintbrush and elephantella
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Mountain Chickadee
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Nashville warbler
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Marmot crossing Longs Pass
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Artist
Jesse Schwartz painting "en plein aire" on the ridge above Longs Pass.
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Spring beauty (Claytonia megarhiza)
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
David on Longs Pass; view down Ingall's Creek with Enchantments on the left
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Gnarled pine stump
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
The common butterfly in the area
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Scarlet Gilia
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Another Western Tanager
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Yellow-rumped warbler
Photos from hike up Mt Stuart, July 22-24, 2009
In July 2009 David and I hiked up Mt Stuart via Ulrich's Culoir, a class 3 scrambling route. Packing took longer than expected (first trip of the summer) so we slept under the stars on Long's Pass on our way in rather than try to find our way down to base camp in the dark. The next morning we started up before 7 but made slow progress and didn't enter the culoir until after lunch. The scrambling was a little difficult in places but the flowers were beautiful. Our descent via Cascadia Culoir included a steep snow pitch which, lacking axes, we down-stepped very carefully. It was nearly sunset and we were nearly exhausted when we reached camp. The next morning we photographed birds and flowers during a leisurely hike out then celebrated our successful trip with lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Cle Ellum on the way home.
<
>
Evening Grosbeak in the grass by the trailhead. One of them, probably a young one, almost landed on us while we were talking to the wilderness ranger.