Summer Time Fun

We are all now or shortly to be 40 years + old. We have all had our fair share of physical problems. Blood pressure, cancer, colitis, pile driving off mountain bikes, cart wheeling down glaciers, and falling off scooters. So lets work the old bodies out and get them really buff for this coming summer attraction! Dragon Tail Peak via Asgard Pass.

The enormous north face of the peak, as it soars up 3000 feet above Colchuck lake looks daunting. However this is not the face we will be doing since that is for real climbers with real gear and hopefully real climbers insurance. No my fellow oldlings we will scramble to the summit via the southeast ridge. This is a non-technical climb. Sort of like South Sister but not as high and better rock.

Expeditioin itineary:

Day 1: Leave from PDX and head to Leavenworth WA. Car camp there for one night.

Day 2: Early we drive up a dirt road for about six miles then park. Thus begins the hiking. We hike up to Colchuck lake. About 2500 feet elevation gain over 4 miles. Sort of like the hike up Eagle Creek. We hike around tothe south west side of the lake and camp. CAMP 1

Day 3: We eat our dehydrated gunk then boot up for the slog up Asgard Pass. This is steep and gains about 2500 feet of elevation in short order. For Mike and John, this is about like that hike we did to Munra Point. Same elevation gain in about the same distance. Camp atop the Pass finding some sheltered spot. Beyond the pass is The Enchantments, a spectacular alpine valley with lakes and glaciers a plenty.

Day 4: We scramble to the summit of Dragon Tail Peak 8840ft. Then go back down. Pack up and go down to Colchuck. We either stay a night there or head back to the car. Probably the latter. If we hit the car then we drive back to PDX in one long slogging drive.

Gear: Ten Essentials
Boots
Clothing for various weather
Treking poles or ice axe
Tent (lets try to keep it to one or two.)
Sleeping Bag and pad.
Food and water with filteration
gas burner

Q: Where is this peak located?
A: In the heart of the North Cascades National Park.

Q: Do we need permits?
A: Yes and we should get them early since they only allow a limited number of people up there per day.

Q: Will we have to cross snow?
A: Have no idea.