Trip Report By Nathan Snyder
On Sunday, Kris, Aaron and I headed to the North Cascades, realizing on the way that we didn't have a forest pass, but deciding that "no one
will check." We arrived at the parking lot for Hannegan pass and realized there were two Park Ranger trucks parked two spots over from us...
being brilliant I decided we should write a lame note asking not to be ticketed... which we did and then headed out at 9:15 to climb Ruth. We
hiked into a valley, traversing along the side before popping up to the top of Hannegan Pass at about 5,100 feet. This point was filled by
hikers coming down and two stranger parties carrying strange devices which I am told shoot "fire" in order to kill animals. Once at the snow we
went with crampons, but no rope. We found only one tiny crevasse on the glacier and, after charging up a seemingly never ending thousand feet of
snowfield (glacier) gained the summit. We were treated with spectacular views of the North Cascades, but especially Mt. Shuksan’s truly radical
north face. After a little time on the summit we charged back down, I decided I wanted to keep on my crampons (silly choice) while Aaron and
Kris quickly boot-skied to the bottom.
Once off the snow we charged toward the treeline, only to be treated to the worst flies I have ever encountered. We were constantly plagued by a
swarm of flies all the way down… which keep us from stopping. Consequently, we made it to the summit in just a touch over 4 hours, but made it
down in about two and a half. My legs were tired, my body felt busted... but boy did I hate those flies and we didn't have a ticket.
In all, an enjoyable climb on the way up, excellent views, but a day that would have been slightly more pleasant without the insects.
