Mt. Stuart, Ulrich's Couloir

Mt. Stuart, one of the true classic peaks of the Cascades, has a series of famous routes up it's massive granite flanks. Ulrich's is not necessarily one of them, but it's a good alternative to the often dusty trudge up Cascadian, the other "easy" route on Stuart. Ulrich's takes a fairly direct line from the South, heading up a slightly more technical route than the oft climbed Cascadian Couloir, and returns via the Cascadian. There's some exposed 4th class on this long gully, and a climb team needs to move fast and be efficient. Binoculars can be good to scope the route on the approach over Longs Pass. Be sure to bring a photocopy of the route guidebook to find the right gully. Note: Beckey writes: €œThe couloir has loose bedrock and is not recommended in the late summer when the snow melts.€ Ulrich's might be better as an early season snow route. Forest fires are common in this area in the summer - call the USFS before you leave town to be sure the trails are open.