Chiwaukum traverse
Imran, Tim and I completed the Chiwaukum traverse north to south on 5/23/20. Bivyed at the TH, left shortly after 4AM. Briefly battled slide alder on the forest road up to the Swath but were booting snow by 4400'. Continuous snow on the traverse; a lot snow up high still. Climbing the north side of Snowgrass and skiing off the summit were the highlights. Skied Chatter Creek until 4800'. ~13 hours and 9K'+/-. Ski and boot crampons, whippet and ice axe.
Looking back on Mc Cue pass
Cup lake and Deadhorse pass in the distance
Big Chiwaukum just out of view on the right
Traversing to the col above Lake Charles to access the north side of Snowgrass
Looking over at the N face of snowgrass from the col
Tim enjoying the moment most of the way up Snowgrass
Snowgrass summit
Looking back at Snowgrass from below Ladies Pass
what a great trip! Thanks for the report!
That's a big day for sure. Cool to see how it's changed in a few months.
Quick update on conditions. Two friends and I skied this South to North 6/6. Hiked to the upper basin above Chatter Creek at 5800' before switching to skins. A couple short carries between there and the Swath but overall route was still in decent condition. We were able to ski to about 5000' down the Swath and then struggled the final few miles in at times serious bushwhacking. I'd give it another week, maybe two before it's probably not worthwhile. Took us 15.5 hours with a few minor routing mistakes and a casual pace.
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