Mt. Watson Whirl

Mt. Watson Whirl

~ Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness ~

8-3-2003

Ken James McLeod

Mt. Watson Whirl © Ken James McLeod

Mt. Baker was in full view glory, Mt. Shuksan very impressive with its immense glaciers, lesser Hagen Mtn. and Bacon Peak were awesome, as we (Glen Lee and I) stood atop Mt. Watson in the Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness on the West shoulder block (est. 6,100') that towers boldly above the most southern of Anderson Lakes.

Glen made a cell phone call to Mark Boyle from atop the peak...leaving a message on his phone recorder...with uttering some joking nonsense of how ugly the view was? At any rate, the view was extraordinary to say the least! The climb had been almost a direct approach from Upper Anderson via the Anderson Lake Trail, though we had climbed up through the cliffs to reach the basin above the main lake. We had scaled a steep snowbank on to scree and heather, only to again find another snow slope farther up. From here, we scrambled up over more scree and heather to find a long snow slope again in front of us, which we ascended, then climbed on to more hard rock upon the mountain. Up a steep snow finger we went, then again on rock, and on to the another steep snowbank to a small pass. Upon the pass we traversed to the right on exposed rock (rather precipitous) to attain the west-most shoulder peak. Far below the emerald-hued lakes glistened in the hot afternoon sun, and the camera shutters click away with the great views before us.

Our traverse out was the high way route above Watson Lakes: we dropped down back into the Upper Anderson's, but shortly before entering the Anderson's Upper Basin, we found a rather unique stone formation...a man made cross (about 8'x4') laid out on the ground with quarts crystal at the center of the cross...we didn't disturb it figuring perhaps it marked the passing of someone or had spiritual signifcance. Later, we circumvented Watson Pass at the trail. From here it was a fine trail back to the truck.

The weather had been grand, the views and exercise the same, and we came away with a good feeling of having been in the Alpine country once again, if only for the day.....

KJM