ChillyChugach

Mt. Rumble 7530' 22.6  miles/11900 ft/11.5 hours Descending toward Mt. Rumble.    This was an absolute WHOPPER of a day - the most elevation gain I've ever done! Weather was nothing short of breathtaking the entire time.  I even nailed the route dead on, except for some fumbling around on the rock glacier/Bombardment pass.    Traveling over Bombardment Pass on the way in, I thought it would be a good idea to get onto the ice/snow right under Korohusk. Well, yes, that would've been a good idea... With spikes! I had nothing, so I went full caveman and used a sharp rock to chop steps for myself.    It took me just over two hours from the Peter's Creek crossing to the summit of Rumble. The gully was an absolute slog, and the 4th class step out of it would have been far more interesting in wet weather. There's algae on them rocks!    Coming back over Bombardment was the real test. I was totally worked by the second time I came over...

Goat Rock Redux - East Ridge Freesolo     A fter summiting via the west ridge of Goat Rock this spring, I wanted to check out the east ridge. Brought my rock shoes cause I've never donned rock shoes in the Chugach before, and this seemed like a good place to start!     I t was mellow, if exposed going until the crux near the top. 5.6ish with big, yet suspect holds, OR 5.7/.8 with much smaller holds and a crack on climbers left. Rock seemed fairly stable throughout, but I was extremely cautious all the same without rope! It was all very Zen and I never felt afraid. Walked off west ridge.  Photos Goat Rock and West Twin (left) in the morning sun.  Eklutna on the right. Grassy ridge goodness to Goat! East Ridge Cheat sheet.   Me @ summit.  Trying out the wide angle selfie! Summit! Summit! West ridge walkoff route Beautiful day Beautiful day Fiery tundra colors Fiery tundra col...

Sunny FRange  love!  10 Miles/6500ft/8.5 hours on foot    Yesterday's sun created a dilemma for me - stay close to Anchorage and link up some peaks, or head further afield and bag a single, large peak.  Well, I've done my share of big peak bushwacking this summer, and I'm getting a bit sick of being soaking wet before even being ON the mountain.  Easy choice.  Front range, here I come!    I parked at Glen Alps, and was on my bike heading toward the Powerline pass by 8AM.  It seems that nature has a cruel sense of humor, 'cause I only made it a few miles before I ran into several bull moose sleeping on the edge of the trail.  Bushwack time!  Goodbye, dry feet!  (they remained moist for the rest of the day).    After passing Ptarmigan Peak and crossing the creek west of Green Lake, I ditched the bike and began hiking up the north ridge/side of Hope Mountain.  This ridge was fairly easygoing, with a...