McHugh in Winter

Lucy and I celebrated the return of daylight with an ascent of McHugh Peak in semi-winter conditions. Lots of bare rock and firm cornices made the hike an easy affair. A liesurely 4 hour roundtrip from the Brewsters pullout.

Lucy monitoring volcanic activity on Iliamna and Redoubt. Verdict: All quiet for now.

Textbook faceted spurs across Turnagain Arm in Chugach National Forest.

Ptarmigan Peak.

South Suicide Peak.

We passed a lone skier who descended the chute and exited along our tracks to his car. Sun-softened surface snow atop a firm, wind-packed base. Brush on the lower slopes.

West ridge of Ptarmigan Peak.

Suicide Peaks above Rabbit Lake from McHugh summit.

Lucy arrives at the McHugh summit block.

Turnagain Arm.

Easy going along the cornices of McHugh ridge. We saw goat tracks, but no ptarmigan.

McHugh summit.

Turnagain Arm.

Windy and cold on top as the sun dips low on the horizon.