Gardner & North Gardner Mountains | WA100: Peak 13-14/100
#WA100Project
Gardner Mountain and North Gardner Mountain are located on the traditional lands of the Nlaka’pamux, Methow, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Syilx (Okanagan), among other Indigenous Peoples, past and present.
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A two-day mission in the greater Methow Valley to climb 8898-foot Gardner Mountain and 8956-foot North Gardner Mountain, the 22nd and 20th highest peaks, respectively, on the Bulger List. A long but non-technical scramble of 27 miles with 8,100 feet of gain.
For the trip, I was joined by Patrick Leahy, a resident of the Methow Valley who has completed the Bulger List and is currently working on the “T200” list, the next 100 peaks.
Fresh lupine fields along the Wolf Creek trail, en route to Gardner Meadows.
Starting the ascent from Gardner Meadows, aiming for the summit of Gardner by sunset, day 1.
Looking back at the north slopes of Abernathy Ridge (the right point of which is Abernathy Peak proper, another peak on the Bulger List).
Patrick scouting potential water sources as we gain the upper section of Gardner mountain.
The final steps to the high point on Gardner Mountain.
On the summit! The 13th peak of the #WA100Project.
Fading light as seen from the summit Gardner Mountain.
Deciding to descend and traverse to Point 8487 to find a decent camp spot for the night and be within striking distance of our climbing for the morning.
Class 2 and 3 terrain en route to Point 8487 (where we’d camp for night 1).
Our humble bivy camp on Point 8487. The flattened scree made for a fine bed.
The fading colors of blue hour lighting up the waves of peaks and ridge lines. Kulshan pictured in the left background.
By morning, I found myself moving north toward North Gardner Mountain. The morning glow appeared while traveling on the ridge a few hundred feet below the summit.
Looking west at the dappled light hitting numerous ridge lines, including Goode Mountain.
On the summit of North Gardner! Light-painted mountains and wind-sculpted hair.
Stepping off the summit of North Garnder and starting the long trek down and out.
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT:
During this project, I will collaborate with local and national nonprofit groups to spread awareness, to fundraise, to highlight their mission and programs, and sometimes to join representatives of these groups in climbing. My nonprofits will include groups that serve women in the outdoors; Black, Indigenous, and People of Color climbers; LGBTQ+ adventurers, and other underserved and underrepresented group members.
Washington Trails Association (WTA) mobilizes hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, steward, and champion trails and public lands. Through its “Trails for Everyone” initiative, it’s fighting to create safe, welcoming, and inclusive experiences on trail. Because trails and access to the outdoors are a must-have.
THE WA100 PROJECT
Over the 2023-24 climbings seasons, Scott Kranz is embarking on a personal journey to climb and document Washington state's 100 highest peaks. These summits are all in the Cascades, the mountain range that transformed his life. His aim behind this project is to celebrate the ways in which we connect with our local landscapes while also giving back by uplifting and supporting the outdoor community and organizations that strive for inclusivity and accessibility in outdoor spaces.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Scott Kranz is a full-time outdoor photographer and filmmaker based in Seattle. Born and raised in Minnesota, Scott moved to Washington State in 2013 and first explored the Cascade Range, which sparked a lifelong love of outdoor adventure and photography. Since, he’s come to partner with some of the world’s leading brands and shot on all seven continents.