Barclay Creek #1055

Since Road 62 is blocked right at Hwy 2 (due to vandalism and garbage dumping), we could not go up Mt. Persis. So we skied and snowshoed into Barkley Lake. Snow starts at 1600' on the road going in. Nobody could drive to the trailhead, but the 4WD maniacs did get further than we did. Just provides more skiing opportunities!

It was interesting to have Bob show me his second ascent route up on awesome Mt. Baring's North Face. This route was a major ""problem"" for the climbers in the 50's and 60's. He showed me where Dick Berge fell to his death in 1951, and told me of Fred Beckey's bolt placement at the crux of this climb. Fred had to leave, and his buddies Cooper and Gordon finally made it (after numerous attempts) in 1960. Second ascent wasn't until 23 years later!

We saw some great avalanches coming off the north face, and one in particular which sounded like a military jet was flying over. Nope, just a tremendously loud avalanche, like those you might hear on Rainier's Willis Wall. (Note: trail is very safe from avalanches, don't worry!)