- Hinkhouse Peak (summitpost.org)
The summit of Hinkhouse Peak is near the east end of a ridge running 2-1/2 miles eastward from Cutthroat Peak. This ridge serves as the border between Okanogan and Chelan counties. From the summit, Liberty Bell and North and South Early Winters Spires dominate to the south, and Kangaroo Ridge and Silver Star the east. West along the ridge is Cutthroat, and across the Cutthroat Creek drainage peaks stretch northward into Canada. The first ascent is attributed to Lage Wernstedt in 1925 or 1926. Wernstedt was an Associate Topographic Engineer for the US Forest Service. The mountain has been identified through the years by a number of unofficial names including Washington Pass Peak, and Fickle Peak, and the four crags at the summit are known as The Towers of the Throatgripper. It was identified in earlier editions of Beckey’s Cascade Alpine Guide: Rainy Pass to Frasier River as State Crag and one edition of Beckey’s Cascade Alpine Guide" Columbia River to Stevens Pass erroneously identified a peak in the Teanaway/Mt. Stuart area as Hinkhouse Peak. See the “NOT Hinkhouse Peak” section below for more about this case of mistaken identity.
- Mount Olympus (summitpost.org)
Mount Olympus is the highest point of the Olympic Mountains, and as such could be considered the crown jewel of that range. The peak has major significance to mountaineers, both locally and nationally. The mountain is attempted by many summit parties each year, yet the average success rate is considered low largely due to the peak being located in the most precipitous region of Washington, having a long approach, and having a variety of difficult terrain to traverse. Despite these aspects, or perhaps because of them, those who successfully summit Mount Olympus know it is a major accomplishment to be proud of.