Winnie’s Slide to Chain Lakes Trailhead

Breaking Camp and Preparing for Descent

Day 3 on Mount Shuksan began early as we broke camp at the base of Winnie’s Slide. The morning was quiet, with a sense of accomplishment lingering in the air after our summit success the previous day.

We packed our gear and readied for the descent. With crampons strapped on and ice axes in hand, we began the careful journey down the steep snow slope of Winnie’s Slide, being careful not to slide ourselves.

Navigating Winnie’s Slide and Fisher Chimneys

The descent of Winnie’s Slide required focused attention. The snow was firm underfoot, and the steepness of the slope meant that every step has to be deliberate.

As we made our way down, the mountain began to wake up, with the early light casting long shadows across the snow. Our team moved in unison, maintaining a steady pace as we descended back towards the Fisher Chimneys.

Arriving at the top of Fisher Chimneys, we prepared for the next technical section. The rock scramble that had been a challenge on the ascent now required us to navigate a series of rappels to safely descend. The exposure was still present, but after two days on the mountain, our team moved with a practiced rhythm. Each rappel brought us closer to the relative safety of the lower slopes, and the camaraderie that had carried us through the climb was evident in every exchange of rope and encouragement.

Reaching Lake Ann

After completing the descent through Fisher Chimneys, we continued down towards Lake Ann. We took in the view, reflecting on the journey we had undertaken. The water was calm, a stark contrast to the rugged terrain we had just navigated. The moment was bittersweet, knowing that our adventure was nearing its end. Once at Lake Ann, we took a longer break and soaked in the sunshine with the sweeping views that surrounded us.

The Final Push: Back to Chain Lakes Trailhead

As we left Lake Ann behind, we faced one last challenge—a 600-foot ascent back to the Lake Ann trailhead, followed by the final descent to the Chain Lakes trailhead. This final uphill stretch felt like a cruel joke after days of intense climbing. We pushed onwards, slow and steady. Exhaustion lingered in the air.

The trail seemed to stretch on forever, but eventually, we reached the cars, tired but triumphant. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming as we unpacked our gear, knowing we had made it up and down safely.

A Journey Completed

Mount Shuksan challenged us in every way—physically, mentally, and technically. The climb pushed our limits, and the descent tested our endurance. As we finally left the trailhead and watched the mountain fade from view, the reality of what we’d accomplished started to sink in.

The exhaustion was real, but so was the satisfaction. We didn’t just climb a mountain; we pushed through fear, fatigue, and doubt, and came out on the other side with stories and memories that will stick with us. This wasn’t just another climb—it was an experience that made us better climbers and stronger as a team.

Thank you to Mazamas and the entire team for the successful climb and memories to cherish.

Distance: 13.5 miles
Duration: 10 hours 55 minutes
Elevation Gain — Loss: ▲ 1,113 ft — 3,668 ft ▼

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