Pintler ridge loops

I had two really nice summer days in the Pintlers that were quality enough to merit documentation.  

Cutaway to Warren loop

Closing in on Cutaway pass.

July 18th.  Right at the beginning of fire season, I rallied early to link up the ridge line between Cutaway Pass to the Porter Ridge.  I was also curious to suss out the route over steep terrain on 10,259.  The morning was delightful, and even with meager running volume under my belt, I was able to run the immaculate trail most of the way up to the crest of the range.  The ridge to Beaverhead and beyond had lots of slow talus, but it is a non-technical and fun enough.  I got completely stymied attempting to drop into the notch on the East side of 10,259, but after a short backtrack, I found a way down to the cirque below the South face of the peak for a much needed snow/water refill. 

Typical terrain North of Cutaway.

10,259 was easily climbed using the couloir on the South end of the East face, then up the South ridge.  The descent down the West ridge was way easier than I expected, and the climb up the East ridge of Warren was fast and really nice.  I don't know if I am the only one, but I have not found a clean way to get off of Warren in the summer.  I decided to try walking all the way out Porter ridge, but ended up bailing early to Tamarack lake.  From the lake, a big water refill and long slow trail run got me back to the car.  

The normal view from Warren.

I though this loop was good.  I do wish most of the ridge line sections were cleaner with less loose talus, but it isn't out of character for the Pintlers.

Haggin to Short loop

Haggin (background left), and Short (background right) from 10,282

September 12.  I rallied extra early in the beginning of fall for a loop around the head of Mill creek.  I parked off of the Twelvemile creek road and biked around to the base of Haggin, then made a long push to the summit up the East ridge.  The ridge from Haggin to 10,282 was so fun - one of the finest in the range I think.  I dropped off the ridge into upper Mill creek, found water, and boosted back up toward 10,378 with renewed gusto.  I bypassed the summit of 10,378 for time, and headed straight for the technical looking ridge line just West of Short Mountain.  

Closing in on Haggin

Starting the technical section near Short Mountain.

The technical section ended up being tricky.  It is definitely possible that I spent too much time monkeying around on the North side of the crest, but I ended up having to negotiate quite a bit of steep and rotten mixed dirt and rock.  I never really got stuck, so I just worked through it and was on top of Short Mountain soon enough.  The descent to the car was really nice. A fairly abbreviated scramble down lead directly to the CDT trail, and four miles of fast trail running was just enough to make the legs feel like they had a proper day.  I returned to the car about 12 hours after embarking.  I thought this loop was really good and am excited to to it again. I would consider bypassing the crags West of Short mountain on the South if I do this outing again.