|
HIKE |
Putrid Pete’s Peak |
|
ROUTE |
Bushwhack, switchbacks, up! |
|
DATE |
07/13/2006 |
|
ATTENDEES |
Dan, Sherry, Mark, Chris S, Don, Matt, Larry and John. |
|
NOTES |
Bugs, ugh! Got deet? |
PHOTOS
Photo credits: Once again, Chris S, thank you!
TRAIL REPORT
A late change of agenda brought us this Thursday, July 13th to Putrid Pete's Peak, one of several on the Banana Ridge off Highway 90's exit 38. Dan, Sherry, Mark, Chris S, Don, and Matt met in Eastgate for the carpool. By 5:50 we arrived at the trailhead to find John and Tukul leashing up. Larry's car was also there, so knew we could count on a well scouted route.
Beginning at 2100 feet, all hit the forest road just after 6pm and took a quick left onto a lightly traveled path which would lead us upward. Unlike previous hikes this year, mosquitoes were quite noticeable. The flowers were out and the ever present trickles of water and roaring creeks of earlier hikes had all but evaporated with the disappearing snow. Winding forest switchbacks took us through a low cloud layer, then at just over 3800 feet, we simultaneously broke through the clouds and onto a wide open talus field. I-90 and surrounding mountains were now visible with the exception of the top 500 feet of their summits which were hidden in a higher cloud layer.
The narrow trail we were following dissolved into just hints of a few past footprints or areas of disturbed moss as we climbed the talus. The wildflowers were thick here. They blossomed into a full field of yellow, red, purple and white at our feet. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes also multiplied. They now formed a thick cloud orbiting above our heads. It was beautiful and distracting at the same time.
ROCK! ROCK!! They were falling quickly as we tracked our way up loose soil. A close call almost bowled over two TNABbers in a split, causing us to shift our lines of ascent. By 7:30, Matt and Mark had already reached the 5300 foot summit, joining Larry and digger who blazed the trail ahead of us. The rest would follow shortly. Once at the summit, we found a yellow box containing the summit register which was placed by the family of Pete Schoening. It was signed by Pete and contained a photo from 2001 of Putrid Pete himself.
After a quick register signing and a few snacks, we retraced our tracks back down the talus field. Sherry was offering big $$ for anyone who could offer a shot of Deet. Conversation included some movie trivia (BTW, the answer is Phillip K. Dick and Ridley Scott.) Matt and Mark, unphased by the buzzing, took the opportunity to complete the last planning details of their weekend Rainier climb. At 9:40, after a quick change of clothes, we packed the cars and left for a gathering at the usual North Bend establishment. Here's to you Pete!
-Chris S.