Hatcher Pass 08/25/02

On Friday I met with Dane and a few friends for some kung fu practice. After practice I told Dane I wanted to head into Hatcher Pass and he could definitely come. Firstly because I had no way of actually getting there and second because I needed a climbing partner. Basically I was grossly underprepared. Dane thought it sounded like a great idea and at 8:30am in the morning we were headed from Taproot Cafe to Hatcher Pass. The drive takes a few hours and we were at the end of Archangel Road at roughly 11am. Not exactly the earliest start but plenty of time to get a good climb in, we still did not know what we were going to climb. The weather was looking great and the peaks were showing. Then it came to me, The Pinnacle! I had seen this peak about 4 years ago and wanted to climb it ever since. Today's the day! Dane agreed that it sounded like fun and we packed up all our gear for the climb in. On the way down the trail we met a nice couple who were sitting by a fire the guy asked "Would you like a burrito, weve got lots extra?" Dane replied nicely with a no thank you and instinctivly I did as well. Then I came to my senses and thought "What the heck am I saying?!" and was chomping down on a wonderful tasting breakfast burrito moments later. Ah I love it when you run into great people on the trail.
We continued along the outskirts of the lower rockfalls in the direction of Fairangel Valley and finally got a good glimpse of the peak. The clouds were minimal and the climb looked awesome.