Gannett Peak: Joining High Pointers Club?

Am I inadvertently becoming a high pointer? When did this happen? 

I guess I grew up hiking 14ers and such. My first noteworthy high point would have been Mt. Elbert in Colorado when I was in middle school. 

I don't know what happened after that. My dad got the crazy idea to climb Mt. Rainier in 2007 (Washington's high point). Which we somehow succeeded in, even though I had NO idea what I was getting myself into. 

We tend to have a lot of fun together... 

Dad and me on summit of Mt. Rainier

Heading down from summit (Mt. Hood in the background)

Less than 2 years later we were in Tanzania on the summit of Kilimanjaro (high point of Africa). 

Post summit, Kili in the background

And 2 summers later we were on Mt. Hood (high point Oregon), where we met Cliff Agocs, our lead guide on that trip.  My two best friends Nick and Kayla joined on that trip... what an adventure!

 Mt. Hood summit

 The wolf pack: Nick, me, my dad, and Kayla

Two years later, my dad was back at it, planning the next trip: Gannett Peak in Wyoming. The timing worked out well for me, being in the early stages of my time off from work and visiting home so I was quick to commit to the trip (again, having no idea what I was getting myself into). 

We took over 500 pics total that week but I narrowed it down to some highlights from each day.  Here's a quick recap of the trip: 

Day 1:  Start Elkhart trailhead 

13 miles on Pole Creek Trail

9,350 ft elevation to ~10,500 ft

Up and down, passed endless lakes and streams. Fell asleep to thunder surrounding the tent.  Every 10 seconds, flashes of lighting. Works of nature I had forgot about living in Alaska.  The walls of the tent alternating flashes back and forth.  The light patter of rain every so often interrupted by a sheet of water released from the cloud above.  It was a long day, covering a lot of terrain.  We hired mules to carry our packs in which was the best decision EVER. 

Cliff, me, and my dad

Island Lake

Day 2: awoke to sunshine!

4-5 miles back to the base of Bonny Pass.  

~11,200 ft 

Set up camp just in time for another HUGE downpour.  Rain so hard I can feel the vibrations as the drops hit the tent as my toes flirt with the lime green fabric door. The other occupied tent is set up 3 feet from mine, yet I can hear nothing of what they speak over the rain.  We have yet to even see Gannett Peak.  

All the groups we've spoken to on the way out did not summit due to weather or mountain conditions beyond their abilities. It's easy to lose hope when every group we talk to has not made the summit.  Will we make it? Will the weather hold us back? Will the snow bridge be gone?  What is my ability? I haven't tested my own limits yet. 

Titcomb Basin, heading back towards Bonny Pass

Camp for nights 2&4

Day 3: Up and over Bonney Pass (~12,850) 

Loose rock scramble. Hard.  The most I've worked physically and mentally in awhile.  Over a 1,500 ft elevation gain in less than a mile. STEEP.  Have you ever took a step and felt the whole mountain move? terrifying. 

At the top of Bonney Pass we get our first view of Gannett Peak.  It's still a long ways away.  

We roped up and cross Dinwoody Glacier. As rivers on the surface of the glacier flow around us and underneath us.  The glacier was technically "dry" meaning there was no snow. We were walking on hard ice.  We get to our "spike camp" location in the early afternoon. Nothing to do but hydrate and stare at the summit in hope that the mountain would allow us our best attempt the next morning. 

Looking up at Bonney Pass...

Finally get a view of Gannett

Dinwoody Glacier ice rivers

Spike camp, looking at the prize

Day 4: SUMMIT day to 13,809 ft

Rock scramble before sunrise to the Gooseneck Glacier.  We get to the Bergschrund that had turned countless groups back.  Cliff knows his own abilities well and decides that crossing and climbing up the glacier is doable. He free solos one pitch of ice and belays my dad and I up before climbing the second pitch and setting up an ice anchor. The top was only another hour of rock hopping away as we scrambled through mixed snow and rock to the summit. 

At the summit, only partially relieved to reach the top because we still have a long day of descending in front of us down Gooseneck Glacier, back across Dinwoody Glacier and up and over Bonney Pass to our camp on night 2.  It was around a 12 hour day and we were all exhausted but happy to be safe and successful in our day. 

Crossing Gooseneck Glacier

Ice climbing near the Bergschrund

Looking back down at the Bergschrund

SUMMIT! STOKED!

We made it!

Send beer and pizza!

Dad and I down climbing the Gooseneck Glacier

Day 5: ~7 miles slow but steady hike out, passed all the lakes again. Beautiful weather.  So beautiful I decide to take a hobo bath in one of the lakes we pass.  Right after, a major storm rolls through and I am caught unexpectedly as peanut M&M sized hail pelts me as I struggle to find shelter.  15 minutes later there is no evidence of any storm at all and we are off hiking again.  

Last night on the trail, very surreal.  We find a beautiful camp spot and crash hard. 

Looking down Titcomb Basin

Looking back up towards Bonney Pass

Shower time? yes please,

Amazing terrain

HAIL!!!

Day 6: ~11 miles 

All the way back to the parking lot and the car and technology and civilization.  Bittersweet knowing the trip is over. Relieved to be off my feet and done. Sad to leave the security and comfort of my solo tent.  The real world awaits and I am maybe not quite ready to leave the back country, 

There is something about being out in the wilderness. Everything is simplified. Priorities are boiled down to food, water, and finding shelter.  Basic human needs. Things we forget about in the noisy world we live in.  Physical exhaustion dominates.  Emotional and mental re-hydration.  It's a beautiful place. 

Cannot thank my climbing partners enough! Mr. Cliff for keeping us safe and my dad for organizing and always having a positive attitude.  Can't wait for the next trip with you guys! 

Til then, this high pointer is heading SOUTH!