Mt. Silliman - Training Hike

Its getting close, I leave for Denali in 10 days. I'm finishing up my training plan, so I headed up to Mt. Silliman - with a 60 lb pack on. 

 

Start of the hike!

The trail is easy going for the first few miles. Once reaching Silliman creek and a mileage sign I headed odd the main trail up into the cirque below Mt. Silliman.

This is where you head off trail

 Reaching the cirque, I had beautiful views of great cliffs that bracket the west ridge of Mt. Silliman. One day I am going to put a route straight up the slab into the beautiful crack system above. 

Unclimbed face on the West ridge of MT. Silliman

 The class 2 rock slabs that guard the approach to Silliman lake were mostly snow covered, which actually made the going a bit easier than normal. The lower part of the slabs were melted out with streams of water coming off them.

Water on the slabs

Snow covered slabs

I ditched the water jugs for the last 500 feet or so, and headed up to the summit.

Looking back on the west ridge

I signed the summit register, and saw a familiar name. 

I might climb this peak too often!

Some summit selfies, then back home!

Summit selfie