The Enchantments live up to their name. This range of granite spires, wildflower riots, and deep blue tarns enchant visitors willing to make the trek. The line of winter visitors is much, much shorter. Only the heartiest of climbers punch through snow for miles to attempt big mountain routes in this silent granite wonderland. Recently Jens Holsten and Shaun Johnson did just that and closed the book on a long standing winter objective; The NE buttress of Colchuck Mountain. The insepraprable partner of Dragontail Peak, Colchuck rises above it’s namesake lake. Alpinists have been climbing routes in the range for decades, but NE Buttress remained unclimbed in winter… until now. The friends pushed the boat out, forging a delicate line up powder covered slabs and frozen granite. Reaching the summit at dusk, they bivied on the mountain’s upper flanks, spending a chilly night out before making the long walk home.

You can read Shaun Johnson’s full trip report at Cascade Climbers.com