Hike Report: the Katwalk revisited

[Sir Henry]

Last Friday Evelyn and I attempted to hike to the Kendall Katwalk but we fell short because we didn't take ice axes. Well today was different. We brought ice axes and we didn't fall short. We made it all the way and even over the other side a half mile.

This is where we stopped last time.

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Evelyn crossing one of the most open pitches. The run-out is close to a thousand feet here. But look at that face of confidence.

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The transition between snow and ground is sometimes tricky.

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Evelyn had to stop and admire what she had just crossed.

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But we aren't there yet. This is the last snow patch to the Katwalk. We dropped our packs just below this pitch.

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This last snow patch is atop the ridge. Not difficult but you need to stay in the center. Remember the part about the transition between snow and ground.

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RanchRoper this sign is for you.

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Finally we reach the Katwalk. It was blasted out with dynamite. Once opened it changed the route of the Pacific Crest Trail through this area. Prior to it the trail crossed a lower pass but was much longer.

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Over the top and down the other side.

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Evelyn posses for a picture.

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Its not over yet. We still have to hike down and out. It took us eight hours roundtrip. When we got back to the van we downed a latte and a slice of pizza then slept for an hour before the drive back to Woodinville.

[Steve51]

Great pictures and a great hiking report. Sounds like a very good but exhausting day.

[RanchRoper]

No good stories ever came from dismounting and using caution.

[Sir Henry]

No good stories ever came from dismounting and using caution.

It's a narrow ledge in places and several thousand feet of run-out. Dead men don't tell stories.

[North Country Gal]

Love the way you're getting out and doing something you obviously love, Gene. I get dizzy just looking at those pics. Nothing even close to that high, here in Wisconsin.

[Sir Henry]

Love the way you're getting out and doing something you obviously love, Gene. I get dizzy just looking at those pics. Nothing even close to that high, here in Wisconsin.

Mountaineering isn't for those with vertigo. This was really steep hiking and a fall without an ice ax would mean certain death. But being able to ice ax arrest renders it safe. These are snow fields and not glaciers so no ropes are required. Snow fields do not have crevasses like a glacier. Slipping on snow even though a long run-out is possible you can stop yourself with an ice ax. You can not stop yourself from going into a crevasse on a glacier.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crevasse

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_field

[RanchRoper]

Great photos. The height can be dizzying for sure. Not to mention exerting yourself in the thin air. I packed into the Tetons with mules back in the 80's. Highest elevation was 9000 feet. Saddling and packing in the morning was like days hard work.

Your friend has a very nice happy smile, and I'd bet the guy behind the camera does too. Good on you both.