Sunday, November 15, 2015

Trip Report: Great Western Peak 10,388, Lemhi Range, Idaho

Followed this goat trail until cliffs forced me off this ridge to Great Western Peak, 10,388
  • November 14, 2015
  • Team: Solo
  • Summit Attempted: 
    • Great Western Peak ,10,388, Lemhi Range
  • Route: West Ridge
  • YDS: Class 2 up to 9,950'
  • Total Elevation Gain 3,953'
  • Total Miles: 10.5

Yesterday, went up Camp Creek trying to reach the  Lemhi crest. Camp Creek is one rough approach. Eight inches of powder in the canon over large rocks, log jams, and rock slides made the going slow and tedious. Got lost in the forest and decided to make the ridge to 10,358. That was a mistake. Crampons made the ascent manageable, but the increasing number of cliffs made route finding difficult. Dropping down the south slopes to bypass cliffs was exhausting. One minute I was in 20 inches of powder, the next, I was either catching a spike on a shallow rock or sliding down a lightly covered exposed slab. Finally, I was completely cut off by cliffs at my elevation. I turned around and tried to find a route to the canyon floor below. I cliffed out several times and had to regain elevation each time to continue back tracking. Should have stayed in the canyon on the approach as per my initial plan.  Finally made it down and decided the mountain would still be there in the spring. I made no summit but did get good looks at the incredible cliffy area and some reference photos for another attempt. Also, got a good workout!

Lemhi Range
Ridge between Daisy Black Peak, 10,401 and Tyler Peak

Daisy Black Peak 10,401




The above photo is of the northern slope of Camp Creek. The many towers dotting the slope are quite impressive.


Looking back at the ridge I ascended, it is easy to see the gnarly cliff strewn upper section of Great Western Peak. Hindsight is 20/20.


GPS Trac
For more trip reports, visit http://idahoclimbing.weebly.com

No comments: