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From Sahale Arm
North Cascades
Aug. 10, 2002
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North Cascades Bliss © Ken James McLeod
To the north loomed the most impressive massifs: Eldorado Peak 8,869', Mount Torment 8,100', Forbidden Peak 8,815', Boston Peak 8,894', and to the immediate south rose ever-skyward Johnannesburg Mtn. 8,065', Cascade Peak 7,428', the foreboding stark-fractured Triplets, Cashe Col which is the first high pass point of the Ptarmigan Traverse, Magic Mtn. 7,610', and nearby Pelton Peak. Easterly lay the very headwaters of the Stehekin River drainage and westerly the Cascade River drainage. Directly below, Doubtful Lake (still partly frozen) had the appearance of an emerald gem cast amid stone. Above Sahale Peak 8,680' stood out like a sore thumb!
With my face into a strong head wind that blew from the west, I felt as if I were "Crazy Horse" (Oglala Sioux Indian Chief) mounted atop his warhorse streaming for battle: with hair flowing straight back, mouth wide open and chanting to the wind . . . where body, mind, and soul are combined in total effort of pure conquest. I wandered high upon Salhale Arm . . . nothing would deter my quest to reach that sanctum and conquest. And as I entered the mountain realm of heather, rock, and snow, that feeling deep within my being I had sought burst forward . . . now I was in my element and the rest of the world was only a blur.....
Onward I pressed with camera clicking to about 7,000 feet, my buddy far below on the Arm (Mark Boyle) had set up his painting equipment to capture the scene south on canvas. And as I watched him painting from a distance, I realized he too was immersed in the same realm as I. The summit was within my grasp I thought, but alas I knew the lightweight boots I had been warring were not the solid ones I needed, those were at Dave Page's cobbler shop for a resole. I could see some climbers on Boston Glacier making an attempt to reach a high camp for the evening. And I chatted with a Ranger stationed here before turning around. I was not however daunted for the beauty of my surroundings was as surreal as it gets. Slowly, I headed back down to where friend Mark was painting. We watched two separate groups ascend Cashe Col and then were ascended upon ourselves by other climbers and late-day hikers that watch Mark paint. The marmots were everywhere and some seemed to pose almost asking to be included in the stroke of the brush.
Later, when early evening settle in, still with the strong wind in our face, we slowly proceeded down the Arm, both each clicking with their camera. A deer suddenly appeared and we took pictures capturing the creature and its silhouette against the skyline. What bliss I thought! Even the wildflowers and heather were in full bloom.
At Cascade Pass we took a break and chatted with the Ranger there and a group of three heading for Cashe Col and Ptarmigan Traverse . . . the packs were huge! Rather late ( 6:30 PM) for an attempt at the Col thought I , but they looked well prepared with mountaineering equipment.
Down the trail Mark and I went having great conversation and in about an hour we hit the trailhead. Two snorts of whiskey were had to cap the trek and the splendid day. And in Marblemount later, dinner and a beer were had.......
And sometimes, it just doesn't get any better!
for more photos of this trek see:
KJM
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