Trip Date: August 19-20, 2006
Katsuk Peak Climbing Trip
Easy Pass
Fisher Creek
Mesahchie Basin
Katsuk Peak (8680+ ft)
Trip Report Summary
Region: Northeastern Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Ragged Range
Area: North Cascades National Park
Starting & Ending Point: Easy Pass Trailhead on Highway 20 (Elev. 3700 feet)
Way Points: Granite Creek & Easy Pass Creek & Easy Pass & Fisher Creek & Mesahchie Creek & Mesahchie Basin (trail hike & off-trail hike & rock scramble)
Campsite: Mesahchie Basin (Elev. 6600 feet)
Summit: Katsuk Peak (rock scramble via South Spur—East Ridge)
Approximate Stats: 15 miles traveled; 8100 feet gained & lost.
Related Post
>>> Mesahchie Peak via East Pass–Fisher Creek–South Side – August 2004
Full Trip Report
I did a weekend climb of Katsuk Peak on Ragged Ridge with Kevin W. I’d attempted this climb on a similarly sunny August weekend last year but got only as far as Newhalem, at which point a radiator blowout sent me back to Sedro-Woolley. The $300 towing & repair bill hurt almost as much as having to spend a bluebird Saturday watching NASCAR races in a repair shop. Thankfully, there were no such automotive dramatics this year.
Day 1 (AM): Trailhead to Mesahchie Basin
We hiked over Easy Pass and down Fisher Creek to elevation 5050 feet, then ascended steep grassy slopes up and left to 6600-foot Mesahchie Basin (4.6 hours from car) below Mesahchie and Katsuk Peaks. This basin provided a nice campsite with running water, so we dropped our big packs and continued up with summit packs.
- Mt Arriva & Mt Logan From Camp In Mesahchie Basin
Day 1 (PM): Katsuk Peak Summit Climb
Katsuk’s south ridge gave us a pretty direct line to the crest of Ragged Ridge. There was a combination of scree, talus, heather, and solid rock, the latter actually being quite enjoyable.
- Katsuk Peak and South Ridge
Once above 8000 feet, we kept working leftward, across several minor ribs and gullies. Although it was never clear where the summit was, we managed to hit the ridge crest closely to the east. A fun scramble on more solid Class 3 rock got us to the east summit by early evening (1.7 hours from camp).
- Scrambling Upper Face
Kevin rummaged around the summit rocks and found an old metal jar with the words “Roper 1968” etched on it. This turned out to be the original register from Chris & John’s first-ascent climb.
- Kevin On Katsuk Peak Summit
But Katsuk Peak has two summits of visually equal height, so we went over to the west one, where we found a plastic-bottle register that was placed more recently. Which is the true summit? Kevin and I did independent water-level sightings and concluded that the east summit is higher by 2 feet. Trust us on this one; two civil engineers cannot be wrong!
- Kevin On True Summit
The sun was starting to set, so we scurried back down the south ridge to camp (1.5 hours from summit). Our descent was uneventful except for running into two other climbers (Lee and Pat) who were just coming off Mesahchie Peak. They were camped near us in the basin and later offered up a post-climb margarita for us. They were heading over to Kimtah and Cosho Peaks the next day.
- Sunset On Mt Arriva & Black Peak
Day 2: Mesahchie Basin to Trailhead
It was a splendid night to be camping out. There was no wind or bugs, but there were billions and billions of stars. Mountain nights like these could cause a climber to give up day-trips forever! We were up at first light and back to the car before noon (3.8 hours from camp). After a full year of anticipation, I’d have to say that Katsuk Peak did not disappoint.
Route Map
Photo Gallery
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