I knew this was going to be a long day, but my last minute decision to link it with Sphinx definitely pushed it into uncomfortable territory. It’s been a slow year for me and I wanted to do something bigger before things got to snowy, so this was a bit of a last minute romp.
I’ve done most of this route once before, so I knew the trail would be good for moving quickly. Getting to the Egypt Lake campground and up to Whistling Pass was uneventful. Climbing up Pharaoh is also straightforward, it’s a bit loose and other parties were kicking rocks, but it’s an easy enough climb.
Then, because I felt optimistic about my fitness (unfounded), the weather (incorrect), and my daylight remaining (wrong), I decided to tag The Sphinx on my way out. The boulder field ahead of the ascent was a little slow to move through and would be slippery in wet conditions. The climb itself also was scramble-y, loose, and the route was not obvious; my ascent and descent took different routes. There was only one small section that was hands on, but also loose.
There was very light rain throughout the day, and it started up again just as I was leaving the boulder field and really started to come down as I reached the Egypt Lake campground. By the time I was ascending Healy Pass it was snowing on me. I was hoping to make up time by running, but puddles and mud prevented me from going as fast as I was hoping.
I was definitely under-prepared. I knew there was going to be damp, but I didn’t anticipate the snow. I used all my layers, which is usually a sign that I should have brought one more. I ate all my food and clearly didn’t bring enough. I started a later than I should have for such a long day. I didn’t leave myself enough margin for daylight, I finished at sunset, and tacking on the extra 1.5 hours for Sphinx definitely made the timing tight. Regardless, it was an excellent day and the views were great.
Approaching Healy Pass, I was about about a week early for the larches.
Top of Healy Pass looking down at Pharaoh (right) and The Sphinx (left).
Top of Pharaoh, looking down at Scarab Lake and The Sphinx.
Scarab Lake, after deciding I wanted to also tag The Sphinx
Scarab Lake and Pharaoh Peak from The Sphinx
Natalko Peak and Talc Lake while descending The Spinx.
Snow on Healy Pass
