Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
This is an moderate ascent of a gentle peak in the Cascade Pass area in central WA, with outstanding views and classic alpine terrain: a nice approach trail, a short bit of glacier travel, and some 4th class rock scrambling on the summit block. While commonly done with a high camp, it can be climbed car-to-car in a long day.
The summit vistas are spectacular, from Mt. Baker south to Glacier Peak.
Note the correct name - Sahale Mountain, NOT Mt. Sahale or Sahale Peak.
Activity Notes
A 360° view from the summit. This is a car to car climb with some glacier travel and a some rock. Due to the climb schedule, it's best drive up the day before and drive home the day after. Estimated away from home time is noon, Sunday August 20 until noon, Tuesday August 22.
We will have a pre-climb meeting at ~7:00 pm Sunday August 20. We will get up around 3-4 am then next day and start out around 4-5am. We will hike to Cascade Pass, turn left and head up to Sahale Arm. Upon reaching Sahale Glacier, we will rope up (crampons if needed) and continue up to the summit pinnacle where I will set a short hand line to the summit (5.2-5.4 rock depending on route congestion).
On descent, we will rappel off the summit pinnacle and make our way down the same way we went up. This will be ~16 hours from car to car. It's strongly suggested to camp another night at the trail head.
Link to a better map: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FiqYtS64ATfewrzsVNzzym8Q8JwTrrRB/view?usp=drive_link
LInk to weather forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-121.83852910995483&lat=44.33220314295079
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 310 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 6 hours |
| General Route Info | This route can be climbed card to car in a long day, but why not make it two days with a high camp with some of the most spectacular Cascade views you can imagine. weather: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Sahale-Mountain/forecasts/2586 snow depth: http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/html/map.html |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in two or more days |
| Interesting Features | Mountain Views |
| Relevant Books | Cascade Alpine Guide: Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass by Fred Beckey Selected Climbs in the Cascades Vol. 2 by Nelson and Potterfield Climbing Washington's Mountains by Jeff Smoot |
| Relevant Maps | USGS 7 minute series, Cascade Pass Trails Illustrated North Cascades National Park #223 Google map https://goo.gl/maps/Xgf4uH9D8aG2 |
| Useful Links | GPS Track GPS Coordinates Map |
