John Morrow
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- May 22, 2015
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Another retro trip report killing hours self distancing in the time of Covid. Classic North Cascades National Park backpack and peak scrambles of Black Peak 8970' and Corteo Peak 8090' with Larry, back in the day.
Aug 21: We began the trip in the tail in of a rainy cycle, counting on forecasted clearing overnight. My conscience feels the need to leave some details out, however the trip begins at Rainy Pass on the North Cascades Highway. The crest of Black Peak to Corteo Peak, along the traverse, is also the national park boundary. We made our way on a user path past a well known lake to camp at another higher lake. Fond memories of a fabulous trip with a dear friend.
Starting in last of rain by John Morrow, on Flickr
rainbow...a good sign by John Morrow, on Flickr
lifting ceiling by John Morrow, on Flickr
camp evening by John Morrow, on Flickr
Aug 22: Started the day with clearing skies overhead and a fantastic undercast below that would later burn off. Took the standard South Route of Black Peak 8970', once attaining to saddle and long ridge with Corteo. South Route actually finishes traversing under the summit block, on east ledges, to finish on an aesthetic NE Ridge (complete NE Buttress a notable technical climb).
starting up by John Morrow, on Flickr
south saddle of Black Peak by John Morrow, on Flickr
scrambling begins by John Morrow, on Flickr
East ledge by John Morrow, on Flickr
Perfect scrambling by John Morrow, on Flickr
camp below by John Morrow, on Flickr
happily photographing by John Morrow, on Flickr
After a grand break of vistas from the summit, I left Larry back at the saddle for the longish traverse to Corteo Peak 8080'. After the traverse, sometimes on crest sometimes to the south side, I crossed the west basin to reach the long and fun Class 3/4 Southwest Ridge scramble of Corteo. In the picture below cross the basin at the base of the rising rightward snow ramp and turn left up the sw ridge (right skyline rising to the summit).
start of traverse to Corteo by John Morrow, on Flickr
Last of traverse to Corteo by John Morrow, on Flickr
On SW Ridge of Corteo by John Morrow, on Flickr
Long aesthetic scramble by John Morrow, on Flickr
Goode and Logan by John Morrow, on Flickr
Back at Black Peak by John Morrow, on Flickr
self port. on summit by John Morrow, on Flickr
Descending SW Ridge by John Morrow, on Flickr
Back to camp, view east at Cascade Crest by John Morrow, on Flickr
Aug 23: Nothing left to do but enjoy a nice sunrise and increasing light, then pack up and head back out.
Final morning by John Morrow, on Flickr
heading out by John Morrow, on Flickr
almost back to trail by John Morrow, on Flickr
Such a beautiful trip in an area I manage to get to far too infrequently. No Southern Utah trip this Spring for me. Perhaps this summer is time to make new memories in the mountains closer to home!
More pictures here fill in the gaps of the trip story along with some fine scenery:
www.flickr.com
Lots of info freely available on the webs give away all the details. My conscience is clear.
Aug 21: We began the trip in the tail in of a rainy cycle, counting on forecasted clearing overnight. My conscience feels the need to leave some details out, however the trip begins at Rainy Pass on the North Cascades Highway. The crest of Black Peak to Corteo Peak, along the traverse, is also the national park boundary. We made our way on a user path past a well known lake to camp at another higher lake. Fond memories of a fabulous trip with a dear friend.
Starting in last of rain by John Morrow, on Flickr
rainbow...a good sign by John Morrow, on Flickr
lifting ceiling by John Morrow, on Flickr
camp evening by John Morrow, on Flickr
Aug 22: Started the day with clearing skies overhead and a fantastic undercast below that would later burn off. Took the standard South Route of Black Peak 8970', once attaining to saddle and long ridge with Corteo. South Route actually finishes traversing under the summit block, on east ledges, to finish on an aesthetic NE Ridge (complete NE Buttress a notable technical climb).
starting up by John Morrow, on Flickr
south saddle of Black Peak by John Morrow, on Flickr
scrambling begins by John Morrow, on Flickr
East ledge by John Morrow, on Flickr
Perfect scrambling by John Morrow, on Flickr
camp below by John Morrow, on Flickr
happily photographing by John Morrow, on Flickr
After a grand break of vistas from the summit, I left Larry back at the saddle for the longish traverse to Corteo Peak 8080'. After the traverse, sometimes on crest sometimes to the south side, I crossed the west basin to reach the long and fun Class 3/4 Southwest Ridge scramble of Corteo. In the picture below cross the basin at the base of the rising rightward snow ramp and turn left up the sw ridge (right skyline rising to the summit).
start of traverse to Corteo by John Morrow, on Flickr
Last of traverse to Corteo by John Morrow, on Flickr
On SW Ridge of Corteo by John Morrow, on Flickr
Long aesthetic scramble by John Morrow, on Flickr
Goode and Logan by John Morrow, on Flickr
Back at Black Peak by John Morrow, on Flickr
self port. on summit by John Morrow, on Flickr
Descending SW Ridge by John Morrow, on Flickr
Back to camp, view east at Cascade Crest by John Morrow, on Flickr
Aug 23: Nothing left to do but enjoy a nice sunrise and increasing light, then pack up and head back out.
Final morning by John Morrow, on Flickr
heading out by John Morrow, on Flickr
almost back to trail by John Morrow, on Flickr
Such a beautiful trip in an area I manage to get to far too infrequently. No Southern Utah trip this Spring for me. Perhaps this summer is time to make new memories in the mountains closer to home!
More pictures here fill in the gaps of the trip story along with some fine scenery:
North Cascades NP Black Pk. and Corteo Peak Traverse, Retro Aug 21-23, 2007
Killing hours self distancing in the time of Covid. Classic North Cascades National Park backpack and peak scrambles with Larry, back in the day.
www.flickr.com
Lots of info freely available on the webs give away all the details. My conscience is clear.
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