Enchantments
"Prusik Peak (8000') is a clean, solid granite icon nestled into the Enchantments. It’s mere presence will make anyone a shameless shutterbug, and views from the top are even better. The Enchantment Basin is a peaceful and unique setting for this memorable climb. The area embraces an alpine desert-like ambience coupled with many lakes at different levels and a variety of peaks including Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, Colchuck Peak, Enchantment Peak and Mt. Stuart.
The majority of the climbs are done on the south face and the west ridge. The west ridge is a pleasing low fifth class route with a few 5.6-5.7 sections while the south face offers a number of 5.9 multi-pitch routes. Prusik Peak s spot amongst the Stuart Range makes for ideal rock climbing conditions."
Description obtained from http://www.summitpost.org
The majority of the climbs are done on the south face and the west ridge. The west ridge is a pleasing low fifth class route with a few 5.6-5.7 sections while the south face offers a number of 5.9 multi-pitch routes. Prusik Peak s spot amongst the Stuart Range makes for ideal rock climbing conditions."
Description obtained from http://www.summitpost.org
 This is the destination for the weekend: West Ridge of Prusik Peak, 8000 ft. |
 All along the way on the trail to Colchuck Lake, I find a variety of mushroom species -- some small, others quite large. |
 Some are very colorful -- |
 And some are just plain interesting. But it made the long hike more enjoyable, as I looked for different ones. |
 The day began cloudy and humid, but not at all warm as we expected. Here I am, taking a short rest. |
 After a couple hours of trail, the weather cools considerably and, looking toward Aasgard Pass, we seefresh snowfall on the trail. |
 Jay takes a rest at Colchuck Lake. Note the snow line at about 6500 feet. |
 As Jay rests, I begin to get cold and continue down the trail to the far end of the Lake, and the start up to Aasgard Pass. |
 So many peaks, so little time. In the winter, one could walk across the frozen lake to the Aasgard Pass trail. |
 One more stop before climbing up the steep (and now snow-covered) trail. |
 About halfway up, the wind picks up and in a couple hundred feet, we will be in a mini blizzard! |
 The rock looks solid and variations for intereting climbing are all around. |
 A view of Dragontail Peak, from 3/4 of the way up Aasgard Pass. |
 Looking back at Colchuck Lake and the pretty turquoise hue that seems to radiate from the valley below. |
 Upward I go. There seems to be no end to the 'up' part of this rock-strewn trail. |
 Between the last pic and this one, we were hit with a windy snow storm, and took another hour before finding this campsite at the shore of a large tarn (pond). |
 The winds subsided, but the air was plenty cold. We've set up camp, had a hot meal and now we can enjoy the scenery. Prusik Peak is in the far distance. |
 Hot drink in hand, I'm ready to curl up for a well-deserved rest. |
 An interesting monochromatic sunset that seems to amplify the chill and the remoteness of our location. |
 The final rays of sunlight paint the clouds with a dash of color, givinh hope for a more pleasant day to come. |
 We will wait a day for our fiends to arrive, before climbing Prusik Peak. For now, we took a hike to the edge of the lakes, to whet our appetite. |
 As we expected, the skies cleared, but it's still very cool. Jay prepares the stove for a hot breakfast. |
 Today is exploration day. Here, we are on our way to Little Annapurna. The Enchanments are below us and Prusik is distinctly ever-present in the distance. |
 It's a pleasant scramble over smooth granite slabs to Little Annapurna's summit. This is the easy side. On the other side, it's a sheer drop to the bottom. |
 Thorough a notch at the top of Annapurna, 8440 feet, Mt. Rainier's profile is on display. |