North Cascades, WA

Chris and I had been talking about going to the North Cascades to climb for a while and we finally made it happen.  Chris flew in from Chicago, and I drove up from Durango and picked him up from the Seattle Airport.  The next day we approached Forbidden Peak and set up camp in Boston Basin where we had great views of Johannesburg Mountain.

Packing at the trail head.

Camp with Johannesburg Mountain in the background.

Chris enjoying the day with Boston Peak in the background.

We climbed the West Ridge on Forbidden the following day in perfect weather and then camped one more night in Boston Basin, before heading through the mist back down to the car. 

Negotiating the moat.

At the notch on the West Ridge of Forbidden.

The West Ridge of Forbidden.

Summit!

After descending we drove over to the east side of the North Cascades to the little town of Mazama.  Where we were lucky enough to be there the night of the 2012 Fall Mountain Festival, and get stoked for the next day of climbing with slide shows from Mark Allen and Blake Herrington.

Morning view form the tent.

Walking though the mist.

The morning after all stoked up from the slide shows we climbed the SW Rib on South Early Winter Spire on Washington Pass.

Chris on the SW Rib of South Early Winter Spire.

Last pitch.

What a great way to end our trip in Washington!  Super fun climbing with spectacular views!