John’s punishment for missing the Cold Meadow’s Expedition continued this week with the “The Week of Butts!” See John’s trip report here. Slab Butte is a fairly close rugged mountain just north of McCall. Its not particularly a long hike but is quite technical (at least for me) on top. Keep in mind that I mostly enjoy bagging peaks but since I started so late in life, Class 4 climbs are a hard trick for this old dog to pull off. My rule of thumb is that if it’s too hard for Ruby, it’s too hard for Dave!
We started the day with a nice stroll though the meadows below Slab Butte. Great views of the McCall mountains.
As we came to Slab Lake, Slab Butte finally comes into view. From here, I didn’t see any routes that were going to work for Ruby and I. John insisted there was a route…..with a smile in the corner of his mouth.
Ruby and I were actually quite comfortable here at the lake!
Here is a close up of the peak, the route goes up the left shoulder through the second white stripe then up the left ridge to the summit.
Here is a closer view of the route, it’s steeper than it looks and it looks steep!
Headed up to the climb, the lake looks so peaceful below!
Here is John, making the climb, I soon followed. That is Ruby just in front of him.
Up on the ridge, I was puckered and so was Ruby. We both called it good enough and let John have his moment of glory and allowed him to savor the pain both Ruby and I were experiencing. Actually, I think Ruby was fine, it was my pain he enjoyed!
Off he went to the summit.
Meanwhile I managed to snap a couple images of the amazing views. Slab Lake below and Granite Lake in the distance. The Twenty Mile creek basin behind Granite Lake.
Here is a view of Patrick Butte which we did on Sunday, it’s not far off to the North.
davefaitlemonde.com 