9-7-17 Cairn Observation Loop

Ultra classic Juneau ridge loop up Blackerby, over to Cairn Peak, over Observation Peak and back via Juneau Ridge.  Maybe 16-17 miles and 6-7k vert?  I don't know.  Fun.  Shit cell phone pics.  Out of order.

Backside of Mt Olds.  Ski terrain deluxe.

From summit of Observation.  Cairn Peak on right with Lemon Glacier.   Blackerby ridge leads to Cairn.

The incredible exit out Juneau Ridge.

On Observation, looking at Split Thumb.

Lemon Glacier.

2-20-17 Mt Olds

Up Granite Creek with the intent to check out the couloir that faces town on Mt Olds.  Turns out the couloir has a pretty good cliff band in it that might be skiable, but not on a solo tour and with our current icy conditions.  Maybe in April?  Either way, the drainage has great access with a well kept trail into the alpine.  Easy approach, but a bit of objective hazard from steep terrain above on a warm day.  

Mt Olds with the couloir splitting the upper face.  I think it might be skiable on the right day.

The "x" marks an entrance couloir into Granite Creek from Mt Gastineau area

Close up of Mt Olds Couloir

Nice gully out of the basin to ridgeline headed to ridgeline that separates Salmon Creek from this basin.

Exit approach gully to Salmon Creek ridgeline

Mt Olds is out of pic to left, this is looking south.

Mt Olds

Mt Olds and a decent ridgeline approach

Devils Paw way out there

X over the entrance couloir and the decent to Granite basin.

Looking down into head of Salmon Creek drainage.

Camp 17 between Lemon Glacier and Cairn Peak

Fritz Cove

Ridgeline to Mt Juneau

East to Devils Paw.

Cropped of Devils Paw

Backside of Mt Olds.

South over Granite basin towards Taku Inlet.

12-31-2016 Mt Ben Stewart and Fish Creek Knob

Solo tour up Mt Ben Stewart.  Avoided temptation and played it safe despite alluring lines everywhere.  Then a couple laps on Fish Creek Knob.  Endless playground that is worth spending some time in to figure out the quirks.

12-23-16 Cairn Peak area

Solo tour up Blackerby Ridge in the dark.  Had minimal route finding difficulties at a steep, cliff section.  No biggie.  Then cruised the ridge to the base of Cairn Peak.  Opted to stay off of it due to solo tour and wanting to get back down to get on the water.  Slowly piecing together the terrain and access routes.  It's odd being in a foreign mtn range after spending nearly 20 years in the Wasatch.

Link to GPS file of tour.  Red line is another guys track, Yellow line is mine.  Using both to figure out the approach better.

Auke Bay from Blackerby Ridge

Gastineau Channel from our deck

Grandchilds Peak area

Backside of Mt Juneau over there.

Mt Bullard, I think.

Split Thumb

Selfie

Auke Bay/Fritz Cove

Icy ocean

Sheep Creek drainage with Observation peak sorta visible in far upper left corner.

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Douglas Island peaks

West Peak up Sheep Creek