AMTL part II: June 16, 2007

I was too tired and lazy last night to visit the beach and watch the sunset, so after a cup of coffee I strolled down to the shoreline to taste the salt water. Joseph showed up at 8 am and I was able to get a second cup of coffee at a drive-thru coffee shack before we swung by the airport to drop off Joe. He was leaving the course early. The long approach we'd do later today was certainly not something he felt up to and he had several other things on his mind that made going back to California seem like the right thing to do.

The AAI office let us know that the forecast wasn't looking so great for the western Cascade, but we drove on to the Marblemount ranger station and their forecast for the eastern side of the Cascades didn't look any better. Which left us back on the original plan, hike into Boston Basin near Cascade Pass and hope we can get a few alpine climbs in before the weather shuts us down.

The hike into Boston Basin is now 2 miles longer with an extra thousand feet to climb. November's massive rain storms had washed out parts of the road, so our approach now included such hazards as construction equipment, makeshift bridges, and stiles over culverts. Walking the pavement wasn't a huge joy in plastic mountaineering boots either. I was almost glad when we reached the climbers trail heading to Boston Basin.

That joy was very short-lived however. The climber's trail managed to be both overgrown with vegetation and completely lacking in shade. Down trees also covered the route while branches grabbed for our packs and ice axes trying to pull us backwards. I had to stop and re-tighten my ice axe when greedy vegetation had tried to wrestle it from me. In reality, I was looking for an excuse to stop and take off the pack anyway. I needed a little more food before continuing up.

I also had the pleasure of watching Joseph pass by and nearly get to his hands and knees on the trail to get under some young trees. This wasn't hiking, it was closer to spelunking.

I heard Mike approaching and got motivated to continue up, soon re-passing Joseph after he'd stopped to refill some water bottles. Finally, we started crossing some streams and even with the cloud cover I was happy to stop at each one and soak a bandana to wipe cold water over my face, neck and arms.

I'll admit to keeping too close an eye on my altimeter today, praying for 5,800 feet to come as soon as possible. I was within a couple hundred feet and still felt like taking another break when I finally came out of the tree line and the sudden views of Boston Basin's peaks recharged my tired muscles and propelled me onward.

After a stream crossing where'd I'd been too tired to scout out the best route and ended with a wet left foot, I noticed a trail heading to my right and hoped this led to our camp. Hiking upward I was rewarded not with a beautiful view of iconic Sahale Mountain, but a composting toilet. Yes! I must be in the right place. Moving up higher I found a few flat spots and noticed another group camped in the last trees. I went over and talked to them, and found out they were another guided group.

The last 3 hours and 3,400 feet of elevation gain began to melt away as I setup camp and enjoyed the 360-degree views. The viewscape started with Johannesburg Mountain to the south, which had been there for most of the approach hike. The new comers were above us, to the northwest and sweeping around to the southeast: Mount Torment, Forbidden Peak, Sharksfin Tower, Boston Peak and Sahale Mountain. All this spot needed was a mountain tarn to be perfect, but I still added it to my mental list of most beautiful places I've been.

Boston Basin video 3.5M, 17 sec video of the 360 degree view from our camp in Boston Basin.

During dinner we discussed our plans, the classic West Ridge of Forbidden Peak would be our goal tomorrow. Joseph would lead the whole climb and we'd learn by watching about efficient movement on alpine routes and try to pick up on when to pitch out climbs and when to do running/terrain belays. Weather permitting, the following day we'd try Sharksfin Tower which was a little easier and Mike and I would each have sections of that climb assigned to us to lead.