For those that know the area, would a cross country trip from Round lake to the zimmer creek be easier than starting below lady of the lake? its relatively level from round lake across and shorter by about 2-3 miles, but there is no trail?
My climbing partner and I encountered that icy section during our attempt in late August 2009. It was only a fraction of the size shown in your photos, but rather than a nice smooth-trailing bottom it had a defined-breakoff bottom that lingered above our heads. We could have *carefully* scrambled around it, but I turned us around because right about that time a big storm was moving in. The storm lasted for several days, and we were lucky to get off the mountain when/where we did as that section would have been especially treacherous if wet. There is no point going to the top if you cannot get back down.
I agree with your sentiment that this will be (and should be) the preferred/standard route for Granite Peak. If only that icy section were not there...
Nice job on your effort and success. That is a great peak.
Super writeup Tim. I am glad I ran into this one. Looks like a cool trip and an interesting route (the approach certainly looks scenic! Do you have any other particular beta or maps you used for your trip? If convienent I would love to get a copy- otherwise thanks for this trip report- I have a trip coming up and had been planning on the standard route, but you have me reconsidering my selection.
Chad
great info dude! Thanks Morlow for sending us your photos, I didn't make it this time, but the approach is amazing. Congrats on your summit and hopefully I'll be back.
Things are winding down and I go home tomorrow-- 35 summits this trip in all-- and I finally got to sit down and read this. Good depiction of the adventure!
Fantastic report, and the pictures just make it that much more appealing...the goats too! Just a question: are crampons and ice axes highly advised? It would seem so...
Also glad to hear its not as far mileage-wise as I've been led to believe. I'm surprised this isn't the standard route; all that Froze-to-Death business seems sketchy with weather and unappealing with gear.
Thank you! I think this will become the standard route eventually; we will have to see though...
If I do this route again, I wouldn't dream of going up there without crampons and an axe unless I had solid recent beta that the route was completely melted out!
Morlow - Jul 27, 2012 12:20 am - Voted 10/10
Adventures!This was a heck of a trip. Lots of fun, lots of sketchy stuff! Overall though, it was a trip to never forget.
musicman82 - Aug 6, 2012 6:01 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Adventures!Agreed - thanks for being there!
Bill Reed - Jul 27, 2012 9:06 am - Voted 10/10
Great report!Sounded like a tough one. Glad you made it to the summit and back in one piece!
musicman82 - Aug 6, 2012 6:01 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great report!It was; I'm just now starting to be able to look back on it and appreciate it - it was exhausting!
Senad Rizvanovic - Jul 27, 2012 10:40 am - Voted 10/10
!Great TR!
musicman82 - Aug 6, 2012 6:02 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: !Thanks!
Bark Eater - Jul 30, 2012 12:50 pm - Voted 10/10
Thanks.Good report. Hope to follow in your footsteps one of these days!
musicman82 - Aug 6, 2012 6:02 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Thanks.It's a great route; good luck!
phatty - Jul 31, 2012 12:23 pm - Hasn't voted
Thanks!For those that know the area, would a cross country trip from Round lake to the zimmer creek be easier than starting below lady of the lake? its relatively level from round lake across and shorter by about 2-3 miles, but there is no trail?
musicman82 - Aug 6, 2012 6:04 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Thanks!I don't know that area at all; I do know that the trail from LOTL to Zimmer Creek went by very quickly...
Redwic - Aug 2, 2012 4:57 pm - Voted 10/10
The icy section...My climbing partner and I encountered that icy section during our attempt in late August 2009. It was only a fraction of the size shown in your photos, but rather than a nice smooth-trailing bottom it had a defined-breakoff bottom that lingered above our heads. We could have *carefully* scrambled around it, but I turned us around because right about that time a big storm was moving in. The storm lasted for several days, and we were lucky to get off the mountain when/where we did as that section would have been especially treacherous if wet. There is no point going to the top if you cannot get back down.
I agree with your sentiment that this will be (and should be) the preferred/standard route for Granite Peak. If only that icy section were not there...
Nice job on your effort and success. That is a great peak.
musicman82 - Aug 6, 2012 6:07 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: The icy section...You're right - without the icy section it would be a piece of cake (relatively, anyway). Thanks for commenting - you'll get her next time!
Redwic - Aug 7, 2012 3:19 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: The icy section...That peak now looks destined to be my 48th or 49th.
Ahhh... someday... ;-)
mrchad9 - Aug 13, 2012 7:31 pm - Voted 10/10
Great ReportSuper writeup Tim. I am glad I ran into this one. Looks like a cool trip and an interesting route (the approach certainly looks scenic! Do you have any other particular beta or maps you used for your trip? If convienent I would love to get a copy- otherwise thanks for this trip report- I have a trip coming up and had been planning on the standard route, but you have me reconsidering my selection.
Chad
sm0421 - Aug 14, 2012 9:28 pm - Hasn't voted
musicmangreat info dude! Thanks Morlow for sending us your photos, I didn't make it this time, but the approach is amazing. Congrats on your summit and hopefully I'll be back.
Bob Sihler - Aug 25, 2012 12:20 am - Voted 10/10
FinallyThings are winding down and I go home tomorrow-- 35 summits this trip in all-- and I finally got to sit down and read this. Good depiction of the adventure!
musicman82 - Aug 28, 2012 12:07 am - Hasn't voted
Re: FinallyGreat work - I'm jealous! Thanks for reading - glad you enjoyed it!
rgg - Dec 22, 2012 10:42 am - Voted 10/10
A good readCongrats on the climb and thanks for the well written report; it made me feel that I missed out on something.
crussellbowden - Aug 1, 2014 2:33 am - Voted 10/10
excellentFantastic report, and the pictures just make it that much more appealing...the goats too! Just a question: are crampons and ice axes highly advised? It would seem so...
Also glad to hear its not as far mileage-wise as I've been led to believe. I'm surprised this isn't the standard route; all that Froze-to-Death business seems sketchy with weather and unappealing with gear.
musicman82 - Aug 1, 2014 5:09 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: excellentThank you! I think this will become the standard route eventually; we will have to see though...
If I do this route again, I wouldn't dream of going up there without crampons and an axe unless I had solid recent beta that the route was completely melted out!