Mt. Shuksan
 Jesse and I relax and soak up the last rays of sunshine while enjoying the views. |
 Now this is what a bivy should be! Carl looks right at home and quite comfortable. |
 The next day, we gear up for our summit bid. Jesse, just above the campsite on the glacier, is ready. |
 After an hour of easy travel, we encounter the first narrow crevasse. Here, Jesse steps carefully across. |
 My turn to cross -- looking down, even though it's narrow, I see that it's very deep and cannot see the bottom. |
 A faint path cuts across the glacier. the snow remains hard and firm -- perfect for our crampon points to dig in and give us confidence on the slopes. |
 Looking back from the direction we came, you can see we are blessed with views all around. |
 Carl is moving quickly, Since the snow conditions are good, we will not rope up until later on and higher up. |
 Jesse arrives at the steeper section leading to the basae of the summit pyramid. |
 Many crevasses, because of the lack of contrast, remain hidden until we are alost right on them. Here, I approach cautiously. |
 Though very deceptive in distance and steepnessm, the summit looms before Carl, who is waiting for us to catch up, so we can rope together for the final few hundred feet. |
 Carl and I are zig-zagging around several crevasses along the higher sections of the glacier. |
 At the base of the summit, the snows become looser and softer. These are the conditions that erode existing snow bridges. |
 Looking to the north, Mt. Baker dominates the skyline. |
 Carl and I on the rock section of the summit block. From here we can scramble to the top or rope up. We choose to scramble. |
 Two rangers provide company for us at the top! I met Jorge (on the right) a month earlier while climbing Forbidden Peak. |
 A happy couple celebrating a wedding anniversary on the top of Mt. Shuksan. |
 Looking westward and down the Crystal Glacier. |
 Mt. Baker, from the summit of Mt. Shuksan - a perfect day to enjoy the views! |
 Me, Jesse and Carl at the top -- We all agreed that this was perhaps the most relaxing climb we've enjoyed in a long time! |
 Heading down, the way was filled with crevasses. Behind Carl is the entrance to "Hell's Highway" which is another more technical route to the summit. |
 Final parting shot of the mountain and the glacier. |
 Ahhhh! A cold soak and a hot drink helpd to put an end to a nearly perfect day! |
 A 270 degree panorama from Mt. Shuksan and to the east and south. |