Mailbox Peak - True Suffering

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion) 10/19/2019 at 22:55 • Filed to: Mailbox peak, Hiking

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That *smile* above? My face had frozen like that. There was no happiness flowing through my veins at any point through this hellish nightmare of a trek. In fact, between the temperature and the soul that had long since given up on life, I don’t think much of anything stirred within.

Mailbox has more than earned it’s reputation as one of the most brutal summer hikes in the state. I should know. After months of constant hiking—testing myself on progressively harder journeys—one trip up Mailbox peak was enough to make me swear I’d never do it again.

Rainier? Any day of the week.

Glaciated peaks along Baker? Sure thing!

100 miles along the PCT? I’m in.

But you keep that cursed 6 mile Mailbox Loop away from me.

And yet, here I found myself.

After multiple snow-induced spinouts completely closed off a stretch of highway that lay ahead of our prior destination, we needed a backup. I vetoed Mt. Si, saying it was too boring. She (rightfully) denied my Pilchuck request, as it was quite a ways away. I wanted to wait out the delay in hopes of still making it to Snow Lake, but it wasn’t to be. While we didn’t stay around, turns out that the stretch of I90 between us and Snow Lake was closed off for almost two hours. Yikes.

Still unsure of our destination, we had at least determined that our hike should be special. And by special... I mean miserable.

It’s tradition, after all.

Pretty self-explanatory, but basically we try to find the most brutal, soul-crushing, hope-defiling, agony-inducing mountain trail imaginable.... And climb it. Bonus points if the weather is adhering to the theme.

Well it just so happens that there is one such trail that fits the bill like a hand in a pocket. Mailbox Peak. With continuous heavy precipitation throughout the entire day, there is quite literally no other outdoor adventure I could imagine that could even come close to the level of sheer “nope”.

So we fuckin’ sent it.

The first half up I wanted to go back down. This gives you an idea of steepness. The girl ahead of me is maybe 10 feet in front of The second half up I prayed—PRAYED—to be eaten by a bear. The first half down... I just wanted warmth. Anything to help with the bone-chilling wetness that had permeated my being. The last half down I was hoping to trip badly enough to be put out of my misery.

Yes, it’s steep. And this is just the beginning.

Waterproof gear wetted out completely within twenty minutes, unable to withstand a downpour that was present for the entirety of the hike.

At the halfway point water changed phases and a new enemy reared it’s angry head. Snow—blown sideways—pelted us as we ascended the thigh burning trail that refused to level off for even a second.

The footing was abysmal even with microspikes, and my 6'1" long-limbed frame could barely step high enough to match the grade of this *trail*. Mailbox laughs at puny switchbacks. Mailbox doesn’t waver. Mailbox doesn’t hesitate. Mailbox goes up.

We kept going

My water hose froze solid, so I ate snow.

My shoe came untied, and my numb hands couldn’t handle the rigid laces.

Glasses were constantly covered in a thick film of caked on snow, so my vision was reduced to what I could feel with my feet.

Falls? How many? It would be quicker to tell you how many times I didn’t fall.

We didn’t stop for food at any point either. Stopping meant a reduction in activity, which was the sole thing keeping our miserable carcasses from succumbing to the incessant rain. Snow. Sleet. Wind.

Just.

Keep.

Moving.

After hours, days, weeks.... We reached the summit. That final slog had drained us, though. Above the treeline you come upon a rock field. This field marks the final stretch, where tired muscles must band together to carry broken frames a paltry quarter-mile further. The catch—of course there’s a catch—is that this final quarter-mile is home to not only a coverless wasteland at the mercy of the wind. The issue isn’t the unsure footing where each step is a gamble. The suddenly foot deep snow isn’t the real problem.

No... The catch is that this final quarter-mile section is 750ft of elavation gain.

There are no words worthy enough to recount the struggles endured to overcome the rock field.

Endured we did. Mailbox, in sight.

The peak was ours. We had conquered it.

The peak didn’t mind though, as it knew our frail bodies could handle it’s abode but briefly. It had seem many come and go. Fleeting moments to a 5000ft giant that since the advent of hiking had towered over the taller mountains calling Washington their home. Joined by many other peaks in it’s range, Mailbox still stands alone.

Within minutes we headed back down. There was no room for the joyous sense of accomplishment that accompanies most summits.

Just suffering. Because all of the obstacles we’d struggled to overcome throughout the day... They had another chance to take us down.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AestheticsInMotion 10/19/2019 at 23:04

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This is one of the best things I’ve read on here. Put down the ceramic saw and become a writer!

Maxima Speed > AestheticsInMotion 10/19/2019 at 23:12

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Wow, now that’s what I call an adventure. Excellently written as well.

Future Heap Owner > AestheticsInMotion 10/19/2019 at 23:19

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At least the top had a great view!

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/19/2019 at 23:26

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Wes Siler, let's start a new outdoor blog plz

AestheticsInMotion > Maxima Speed 10/19/2019 at 23:28

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I’d call it... An ordeal. And t hank you! I like spinning stories, even if they’re few and far between 

AestheticsInMotion > Future Heap Owner 10/19/2019 at 23:28

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Too cold to raise eyes

Chariotoflove > AestheticsInMotion 10/19/2019 at 23:34

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You look woefully underdressed in those pictures.

I don’t know what to say. You’re in idiot, but a well spoken, impressive idiot. Glad you made it.

AestheticsInMotion > Chariotoflove 10/19/2019 at 23:53

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I love this jacket. It’s suuuu per stretchy with a fantastic range of motion f or what is a very respectable rainshell. That said i t has been in need of a new waterproofing application for awhile. I’ve just been lazy. If I’d done that and the jacket hadn’t wetted out I think I w ould have been pretty good. I actually removed a fleece midlayer early on , but with no room in the pack it got soaked by the time I needed more warmth...

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AestheticsInMotion 10/20/2019 at 00:04

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Have you summited Helens?

pip bip - choose Corrour > AestheticsInMotion 10/20/2019 at 03:53

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need to do it again at a better time of year

Nom De Plume > AestheticsInMotion 10/20/2019 at 05:53

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Welcome to 4th class climbing.

I have to echo Chariotoflove about your idiotic and verbose ramblings gladly ending well .  After rereading it a few times I’m still amazed how well summed it was.  

Nom De Plume > AestheticsInMotion 10/20/2019 at 06:09

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Those are the mistakes that... Respectfully, from someone who believes in individual ability to make mistakes and learn without being harshly treated.

Ditch the inner city outerwear in dull colors. Patagucchi/The North Farce/etc actual mountaineering gear is almost without question made in very unique shades of bright colors that change yearly for very practical reasons. At the very least find a 20,000mm or better jacket. The hard truth here is aftermarket waterproofing is nowhere near as good as the initial factory application. Good technical water resistant clothing needs to be replaced regularly.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Nom De Plume 10/20/2019 at 07:39

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I just established that an otherwise excellent Marmot rainjacket has failed waterproofing after five seasons. Time to replace.

AestheticsInMotion > Nom De Plume 10/20/2019 at 12:32

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According to most major review sites, my jacket is comparable with the best of the technical shells on the market , but having the waterproofing fail after just 18 months is pretty disappointing. I'll probably just save it for the clear or super cold days. 

I’ve really been struggling to layer this season . I run hot, to the point that even in 30° t emps we had for this hike, a thin base layer and equally thin rain shell would have been plenty (assuming, you know... The rain shell kept me dry). I can't wait to get the really cold temperatures that will keep this pesky rain from showing up

AestheticsInMotion > Nom De Plume 10/20/2019 at 12:33

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Expect more to come. *sigh*

AestheticsInMotion > pip bip - choose Corrour 10/20/2019 at 12:33

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Let me know how it goes! 

AestheticsInMotion > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 10/20/2019 at 12:34

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We were talking about that last week. No, that will be a new one. Hoping to spend a few nights there in the spring/summer. You and your girlfriend did that one, right? 

Nom De Plume > AestheticsInMotion 10/20/2019 at 14:49

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Ha, if you can’t drink it, it’s snow.

Nothing made is anywhere near perfect. By my reaction alone you should’ve been able to ascertain how big of a deal equipment that stands between you and really bad suffering even when things are going well is.

Highly water resistant clothing is tough. Preserving it and keeping it clean can be harder than the actual use it gets. Try a few of the better waterproof clothing soaps and reproofers to see what works. Often this can be very subtle and arrived at by accident/instinct/experimentation. Same for layering (trial and error) and what clothing works for you in general. Keep at it and try to grow more efficient and conscious of your decisions. When  possible incorporate some unique easily identifiable colors that contrast with the local environment. A white pack (cover) on a snowy mountain is not so clever if a patch of it is the only visible trace of the person attached to it. ;)

ElevationGain > AestheticsInMotion 10/20/2019 at 14:53

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I also climbed Mailbox yesterday. It was a classic PNW storm climb. Heavy rain below transitioning to snow up top. These are some of the most dangerous conditions to climb when not properly prepared.

While 2 in my group signed up for the S ufferfest, we decided, like most rational people, to avoid participating due to the predicted weather conditions. Instead, I planned to camp at Mirror Lake & climb/snowshoe Tinkham Peak , but was scared off when I awoke in my tent to several inches of heavy, wet snow. T he forecast stated the snow level was 4500ft, so i felt confident parking & camping at 3500. My low slung car is still wearing its summer performance tires, and I did not wish to get stuck miles up a snowy forest road. I broke camp, threw my gear into my hatchback, and started down the snow covered road just past 6 am. The carnage on I90 was bad with many spinouts and crashes, but with careful and uncharacteris tically slow driving, I returned home at 8:30.

Thats when i received an invitation from my son and our friend about climbing Mailbox. Since my original plans fell through, my finace was on her own adventure hiking Pratt Lake, and I did not wish to waste perfectly good storm, we agreed to meet at 1pm.

Our hike started at 1:30 after another friend found us at the trailhead. We slowly climbed through the heavily forested rain zone. All of us got quite wet.

Upon reaching the snow at the edge of the trees, we stopped to change into dry base layers and hard shells. This clothing change is key to enjoying, and surviving, this type of wet climb.

My climbing group split up at the tallus field to let one member work out cramping muscles. 3 of us summited in the hard wind and fog. Rather than fluffy snowflakes, we encountered stinging, wind-driven sleet and fog.

We began an our descent and encountered our friend still making his way up. Of course we all turned around to join him for the second time climbing the increasingly windy and snow covered ridgeline up to the summit.

That’s when the lightning started.

We hurriedly descended off the ridgeline trying gain the extra safety from the trees.

Due to thick clouds and the trees, we all broke out headlamps (and provided an extra for one who forgot hers) to easily see the treeroots for our descent. H ail accompanied most of our return down the mountain. The pathways b ecame small rivers as the air temperature increased.

Returning to the parking lot damp, but warm and (mostly) uninjured , we congratulated eachother and left for a well deserved dinner in NorthBend.

As I mentioned far above, proper gear & preparation is necessary to keep these adventures somewhat safe. Carrying that gear will slow you down, but think how much better you would have felt warm & dry at the summit. Glad you made it without incident.

AestheticsInMotion > ElevationGain 10/20/2019 at 15:42

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That was a good read, and great pictures. We very well might have passed each other, as I believe we started descending around 1:00pm.

In my defense I was anticipating an easy hike to snow lake, but yes... I need to rethink my gear load out. Or perhaps just get in better hiking shape so I’m not sweating like crazy on the ascent with just a base layer and a thin rain jacket.

The sufferfest participants are truly another breed. Did you by chance run into the guy who was on his 4th attempt, running the old trail each time in a t-shirt and short shorts? Or the old guy who made it up... In crocs? 

And while I’ve got you here... Any recommendations for a good day hike?

ElevationGain > AestheticsInMotion 10/20/2019 at 22:09

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I spoke with someone who was on his 5th ascent, but he doubted he’d do more since there were thunderstorms forecast for , and later appeared, in the afternoon. Last year I spoke with someone who had completed 6 round trips which was VERY impressive.

Ive done a double Mailbox with my son while training for Nepal. That effort required about 12 hours up the old, down the new trail. W e did it with mountaineering boots and 30 lb packs. Cooking d inner on the summit just after sunset was a treat.

Crocs or shorts is nuts in my book. You may be able to stay warm through exertion, but if you twisted an ankle or had a cramp? That could be very dangerous in yesterday’s conditions.

As for other day hikes, try Mt Teneriffe passing by the falls can be fun. Melakwa Lake (when the river is not running roo hard), Mt Defiance, Silver Peak, Snoqualmie Mountain, Mt Dickerman, Gothic Basin, Hidden Lake, etc., etc. I might add McClellan Butte & Granite peak, but only late Spring to early Autumn due to avalanche danger. Wta and NWAC are great resources.

Thanks for your article; it was a great read.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AestheticsInMotion 10/21/2019 at 02:30

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  Terrible memory sometimes! I have, she hasn't. I'm curious to see how it compares for you.