Jeri II

“Jeri” attempt

November 7, 2009

Roundtrip time: 8:05

Scrambling with Mark.

“Jeri” is the third of Upper Canyon Creek’s seven GR’s. A previous attempt at reaching the summit from the north ended up in an ascent from the south. With poor weather streaming in from the west, this was a good day for an experimental and less-committing trip and the north ridge ascent route fit the bill.

About halfway up the ascent gully to the col between Jeri and Tiara Peak, The Weather Network’s prediction of “Mainly sunny” skies did come to fruition. Unfortunately it lasted all of ten minutes and then it was cloudy, snowy, and all-around blustery weather for the remainder of the day. Nevertheless, the impressive rock buttress on the way up that gully and other cool rock scenery did render the ascent an entertaining one.

Views at the col were likewise interesting, especially the striking outlier immediately to the south. We skirted the base of this outlier, all the time being assaulted by blowing snow. It quickly became apparent that following the ridge to the summit was way beyond our capabilities and so we continued to side-slope, far below the ridge. This required losing a fair amount of elevation and traversing some precarious slopes.

Eventually we reached a point where we would have to run around or commit to route-finding our way around the peak. With no obvious, visible route and the continuing deterioration of the weather, turning around was the prudent decision.

A good day of exploration.

Jeri (left) and Tiara Peak, from the road