Washington Trip

5/12-5/16

Mount Shuksan
Pinnacle Peak

Rick
Courtney 
Eiji

Not unexpectedly poor weather complicated a summit attempt on Mount Shuksan.  Despite hour after hour of rain on summit day we proceeded onward across the Sulphide Glacier (guided only by GPS) and finally reached the base of the summit pyramid before turning around.  Visibility was extremely restricted (we were in clouds) and the continuous rain meant that the class 3-5 rock above would be slippery and potentially dangerous.  By this time 2 of the 3 of us had boots filled with water and we were thoroughly soaked and very miserable from the rain.  My rental boots (the Koflach Degres) were extremely uncomfortable.  Every step was painful.  When we got back to camp, Courtney and Eiji found their tent had several gallons of water in it along with their sleeping bags, etc.  We carried heavy loads probably approaching 50 lbs.  This was the most gear I have ever carried and it was not comfortable.

Notes

REI rents gear: snowshoes, plastic boots, etc.  They were out of poles however.

Rental Cars:

Alamo was good.  They keep the cars at the airport.

Don't ever use Enterprise again.  They were more expensive and you have
to take a shuttle to their lot outside the airport.