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Silver Star Glacier
4th YDS 1 French 2 Ewbanks I UIAA 2 ZA M 1b British Steep Snow
Type: | Trad, Snow, Alpine, 1200 ft (364 m), Grade II |
FA: | Fred Beckey, Joe Heib, Herb Staley and Don Wilde. May 1952 |
Page Views: | 2,363 total · 41/month |
Shared By: | Nick Sweeney on May 24, 2016 |
Admins: | Scott Coldiron, Jon Nelson, Micah Klesick, Z Winters |
Peregrine falcons select nest sites on cliffs in the Upper Skagit Valley, including the Climbing Management Areas of Newhalem West (Ryan’s Wall) and Newhalem East. As required in the NPS Superintendent’s Compendium, these areas will be closed to all public from March 1st to July 15th of each year, or until the young falcons have fledged or NPS staff have determined that nesting will not occur on a specific wall during this period. Access Fund, Washington Climbers Coalition and NPS partner on a volunteer raptor monitoring program to determine nesting activity. Contact the NPS and/or WCC for updates.
Description
This is a great route, and is reasonable to do in a day if you have a good fitness level. From Burgandy Col, drop down the steep snow onto the glacier and head East. Eventually, you will arrive at the rock that leads to the summit. Scramble up and be proud. To descend, reverse the route.
Location
There are two starts to this climb:
Burgundy Col
The most common approach begins at mile marker 166 on Highway 20. Drop down the embankment and cross the creek on a log, then pick up the well-defined climber's trail. From here, make the long hike towards Burgundy Col. Eventually, you will see a gully that heads to the Col - stay on the left of the gully and haul yourself up there. Once at Burgundy Col, grab some water and a snack while taking in the incredible views. This approach involves about 3500 feet of elevation gain to reach Burgundy Col, where you will downclimb steep snow to gain the glacier.
Silver Star Creek
I have not personally done this approach. There is good beta available on Summitpost and other websites, but you essentially stay on the East side of the mountain the whole time and avoid the climb to Burgundy Col. This is the best option when it is early season and there is plenty of snow covering the approach.
Burgundy Col
The most common approach begins at mile marker 166 on Highway 20. Drop down the embankment and cross the creek on a log, then pick up the well-defined climber's trail. From here, make the long hike towards Burgundy Col. Eventually, you will see a gully that heads to the Col - stay on the left of the gully and haul yourself up there. Once at Burgundy Col, grab some water and a snack while taking in the incredible views. This approach involves about 3500 feet of elevation gain to reach Burgundy Col, where you will downclimb steep snow to gain the glacier.
Silver Star Creek
I have not personally done this approach. There is good beta available on Summitpost and other websites, but you essentially stay on the East side of the mountain the whole time and avoid the climb to Burgundy Col. This is the best option when it is early season and there is plenty of snow covering the approach.
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