On the way to Rachael Lake, as you enter a clearing, one can see a tall, long ridge to the right hand side called Box Ridge. The highest point, at 6547 ft., is is called Hibox. I’d been eyeing it for a while & then it showed up in the “Scrambles” book. Twice I had planned to climb it but it fell through. Third time is a charm. I rounded up Jackie Garces, Jim Merrill, Keith Luther and Hillary (don’t know her last name) to have a go at it. Then my boss tells me that a guy from Texas was coming to Seattle to do some work for us & was arriving a few days early to play in the mountains… and would I mind taking him somewhere. Now, Hibox is not a beginner hike but Brad Ricks joined us anyway. (He is a long distance bike rider so I figured he had endurance) Once we outfitted him with boots, gators, pants & a rain jacket he even looked the part. At least he didn’t look like a Texan!

The route starts with a nice trail hike for a couple of miles then finds the climbers trail. Straight up for over 3000 ft. with nary a switchback. We hit snow about 4500 ft. & kicked steps right up the flank of the ridge. Brad turned out to be a great step kicker! He even got to use an ice axe for the first time.

Once we gained the ridge top & had a little lunch we left the packs & scrambled about 100 ft. on class 3 to 4 rock to the top. We all had grins but nothing compared to Brads! We found a summit register & found out that we were the third party to get up there this year. A low cloud ceiling prevented huge views but the nearby peaks looked great. Huckleberry, Alta, Alaska and what we think was Mt. Daniel.

A nice glissade (Brad boot skied his way down!) & the knee-pounding trail brought us to the maintained trail & good food & drink in North Bend. By the way, Jim turned us on to the “North Bend Tavern” across the street from Scotties Burgers & Ice Cream place. Great atmosphere, really good food & friendly service. Yum! A nice time was had by all & hilarity ensued. And Brad had a grin, a mountain experience and, I think, bragging rights to take back home.