Register Ridge to Harwood and Baldy

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Yesterday I joined Tina, Patrick, Ty, Ryan B, Dave G, Carmen, King Arthur, Carole and Brandon on a post-Christmas calorie burn off. I passed out See's suckers at Manker flats. This was my first time up register ridge and my first time on Harwood. I loved the ridge -- climbing it reminded me of the cross country route from Vivian up to Dobbs. This would be an epic route with snow. We carreid crampons, axes, and microspikes. Sadly, there was hardly any snow so the crampons and axe were training weight.

After Harwood, we dropped down to the saddle and started to traverse along the north side of Baldy to gain the trail over to Dawson peak. Trying to maintain my footing in the scree on the steep slope was a pain. Even stepping in Patrick's footprints, I was sliding several inches downhill. I'd exceeded my comfort point and turned around. Made my way back to the saddle and up Baldy, where Dave and Ty were waiting. I told Dave the conditions and he noted wryly, "Kind of hard to self-arrest on a steep scree slope with an ice-axe." Before long, the others were also tired of the sketchy route and went straight up Baldy.

We took the ski hut trail down, donning microspikes for the icy sections. For some reason, the hike down from the hut to the road seems to take forever and my bum ankle started complaining. Carmen and I entertained ourselves by petting every dog we met on the way down. At last we reached our cars and headed to the lodge to refuel and chat before the drive home.

Thanks everyone for a great day! The only thing I missed was snow.

Happy New Year,
Ellen

[arocknoid]

Hello Ellen,

Hoped to be out there Monday, but work was inescapable.

Sounds like a splendid day, despite the wind and scree and bum ankle blues on the long slog down from the hut.

Register route has waited a long time for your feet to tread. (though the last couple years it has become perhaps too widely known and discussed ;)

It is particularly fun with substantial snow, especially skiing down the west slope; best advised to be familiar with that topo bereft of snow, though. (eh, I know you don't ski.)

With snow, the open forested section before topping out the ridge is among the best and most delightful on the whole hill. Nice nooks fairly sheltered from winds, perfect placid pockets for picnicking. (shhh!)

stay warm,
c ya
arocknoid

[Ellen]

Howdy Arocknoid

Fabulous screen name, BTW

I loved the forested area before topping out. I'll definately be doing the doing the route again

Miles of smiles,
Ellen