Air drops at North Creek and Pebble Creek.  Scramble peaks around North Creek and Pebble Creek and traverse over to Athelney Pass.

This trip is suited to those who prefer to scramble (up to class 3) and who don’t mind carrying an overnight pack up and over Mt. Icemaker to Athelney Pass.  It’s a bit of a blend of option 1 (hike all the way in from the Hurley to Athelney) and option 2 (Camp at Pebble Creek and exit via North Creek).  Several objectives, as well as the hike to Pebble Creek and Atheney Pass, involve simple glacier travel. The hike out of Pebble Creek to Mt. Icemaker and over the glaciated pass to Athelney involves a large elevation gain and most of the day on ice.  In the event that the weather is not cooperating, the exit route would be back via North Creek. 

We will hike into North Creek with light packs.  Three nights worth of food will be dropped off at the North Creek hut.  We will have a two days to scramble up Sugas and Sessel peaks out of the North Creek hut, and then head over to Pebble Creek with light packs.    On Tuesday we will hike over to camp near at Pebble Creek in Ash Pass.  We will have a day to climb Pebble Peak and then head out the next day to traverse over to Athelney Pass with the possibility of climbing Ice Maker Peak on the way.  We camp in Athelney pass for the night and head out the next morning to our car, and a bit of a car shuffle.  In the event that the weather were not suitable for crossing the glacier over to Athelney Pass we could exit back to North Creek and out the North Creek trail.  

While this is not intended to be a course, we will review (and possibly practice) some of the basic mountaineering skills as needed. We will be on steep meadows and moraines, scree, glaciers, bush, and some trails, so this is not a place for light hikers or running shoes. You will need robust hiking boots that can keep your feet dry after a day on snow and gaiters to keep the snow out.  You should try out your harnesses and crampons to make sure everything fits, and brush up on crevasse rescue, basic knots, tying into a rope for glacier travel and doing an ice axe self-arrest.  Proper crampons (not microspikes) would be required for this trip.   

The cost for this trip would be in the $200 range. This will cover the cost of the helicopter food and equipment drops at North Creek and Pebble Creek.  Participants will provide their own food and equipment.  The cost could go up or down a bit depending on weather and the number of people in the machine.  The full amount must be paid once you have been accepted on the trip.  In the event that you have to cancel after having paid, a refund can only be provided if you can fill your spot with someone who is not already registered for the trip.  If for some reason we have to cancel the trip, full refunds will be provided.   Deposits are to be etransfered to Brian Sheffield using the email bsheffield50@gmail.com

Needless to say, it will be imperative that everyone be healthy and not have been in contact with anyone who is known or suspected of carrying COVID – 19.  Prior to coming on this trip, you will need to sign various waivers with Blackcomb Helicopters and ensure that you wear a mask while in the machine.  All the groups will be meeting at the Pemberton airport at 9:00 am for a briefing by Blackcomb Helicopters.