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Have you ever tried to do in one day what you really ought to take two days for? That was this trip. We planned a 4,000 elevation gain in a six mile approach, about half of it off-trail.
We planned to climb 6.259' Kaleetan Peak. This was our first mountain of the Summer and we weren't ready yet.
The tall one is is Kaleetan Peak. The smaller ridge in front of it is where we ended up when we turned around.
Most of the hike reeked of bear musk and we saw several rotted logs torn apart by hungry scavenging. All the snow was in turbo melt-off mode, it was 100 degree day at home, about 80 up there on S. facing slopes.
Melakwa Lake along the approach hike. Here we met some REALLY NICE forest rangers who went into detail about the fatal fall of a UW student who was attempting this climb last year and scared the hell out of the kids. Thanks ladies!! They went on about how exposed the ridge was, how dangerous it was, etc. etc. 
Where we ate lunch
Chair Peak, with the scramble route in the foreground
One of the high points we took a break at.
I wish we had summitted but the kids asked to go back so we decided to call it a day.
Once they saw the summit gully I think the nice stories the Rangers told had an influence on their decision.
This was a very nice way to beat the heat in the lowlands. I think I ate my weight in snow It is a very refreshing snack in the heat.
Yes, thats a TS cap. Thats my knife and car key around my neck.
Jeff
