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Trailhead: North Halfmoon
Mileage: 11.4
Elevation Gain: 5,159'
Traipsers through the rocks and flowers: Darrin, Caroline, Bob & Kate
Searching for a 13er loop for a group can be like sorting through porridge for Goldilocks. Not too long, not too short, not too far, not too close, not too much elevation gain, not too little. Gauge the weather and the group. Then hope for some previous beta.
After some back-and-forth we came up with this 3 peak loop. Some scrambling, some "bump-humping", some route finding. A good mix, hopefully for a good weather day. Plus I was going to take my very first photos with my new camera, Canon S100. My S90 took an unplanned 4' drop onto some rocks. My fool-proof lanyard system was outwitted by a fool. The camera complains when it opens the lens. I don't like complaining cameras, it makes me nervous.
We bounce into the trail head a little after dark, to already find the Finns in their vehicle sleeping. 2 others would show up after us, before we went off to sleep, a rather short sleep.
At O-dark 4:15am we were on the trail ready to tackle a pretty tough day. The conversation was lively and continuous as we followed the trail for the SW slopes route of Massive. We make the turn for the lake trail and follow it, finding the first waterfall of the day. I know the regular route diverts from somewhere below treeline, but we follow the trail till we get above, and then contour over to the SE slopes of Mt Oklahoma. We only lost a little bit of elevation along the detour, so not too terrible. Plus we got to see 2 more waterfalls along our path than we would have otherwise.
As we make our way up the ridge to the SE slopes, the sun rises and warms up the otherwise chilly day. The steep slope leads up to the gentle summit slope is as irksome as it looks. But this too shall pass, and soon you will find yourself on the summit.
Waterfall with Mt Oklahoma behind
Waterfall #3
Steep slope of suckage - Photo Credit: Bob
More sucky slope - Photo Credit: Bob
Once on the summit we take a pretty considerable break to discuss very important topics that shall be left on the mountain. That and eat breakfast. The important things in life.
The ridge over to Deer is long, and so we make our way along the C2+ ridge. The more ridge proper, the higher the C rating, the lower you go, the easier. But also the looser.
Some flowers amongst the rocks - Photo Credit: Bob
At the base of Deer Mtn, the very first wisps of puffy clouds have started. Ok we have T-1.5 to 2 hours before we want to be off the ridge. Hmmm 20% storms, and we're seeing puffies this early? Crap, time to move or go home. So I start up the next peak without much of a break, just put on my helmet and go. I figure I can route find the class 3 section above, as well as spreading out on the loose ridge section would also be a good idea. Since the ridge up to the false summit is super loose.
Zoom of the first crux section - Photo Credit: Bob
Once beyond the false summit, the rock gets a bit more solid, but yet not really. There are plenty of options for the summit pitch crux. I tried one and eventually had to back off, as it was about a mid C5 move I didn't like without a rope. So when Darrin caught up, he found another way. Quite a bit more exposed and still a low C5 move required. We figured we could get up higher and help the others find a simpler way up, which Kate did by going further to the right (north). It turns out you probably could bypass all of this C4 by contouring right further on crappy steep loose slopes over to a scree gully. But that's not very elegant!
My first attempt at the crux (slab chosen by rest, to far right)- Photo Credit: Darrin
Me going up the crux - Photo Credit: Bob
Trying not to let loose any rocks, the other two C5 routes below me - Photo Credit: Bob
We spent only a few minutes on Deer. Not sure anyone took photos. It was go time, so just a quick refuel, rest and go. The descent to the south of Deer was much easier than our way up, and was mainly C3. It still allowed some fun route finding, which is always appreciated!
The airy ridge off of Deer - Photo Credit: Bob
We dodged as much around that unranked point on the ridge as possible to get our first good view of the ridge to "K 49" and a possible ditch route off it's SE slopes down to the 4WD road below. The clouds had been growing, but not building to the level of terrifying thunderstorms over us, or to the west. So we figured the 30-40 minutes to the summit and our planned descent was best. We would have just enough time to make the summit. Then take a good break there too, as the clouds still held. Better to hurry first, then break later, when the clouds held.
Eventually we had to start to make our way down. We knew the clouds would likely let loose on us at some point. But thankfully they held off till we were scree-skiing the final slope into the valley, then we got graupel. It lasted just long enough for us to put on our rain jackets, and to make the grass wet. The return trip back to our trail was quite lovely following game trails. Might be a good way to go up Oklahoma. The sun came back and warmed our descent back to the trailhead, where I got a lovely post-hike surprise of a punctured and very flat tire. Alaskan road side gear to the rescue!
I didn't mind being it! I just imagined Tim Tebow with me, although not actually present . That pic of you and Darrin along the ridge off of Deer is pretty sweet. I'm glad you put this up to show the descent off of Darrin's favorite, ”K 49”. And, our conversations all day were priceless. Awesome TR and photos. And even more awesome group. Let's all get out again for more bump-humping soon!
Great report. Those waterfall shots were cool, and the scenery looked beautiful up there.
Thanks for the report!
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