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8,341 ft · Cascade Range, Washington

Mount Formidable

Mount Formidable is an 8,341 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Washington. The standard route is the South Route via Cache Col: 20 mi, 7,500 ft of gain, Class 3.

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Mount Formidable in the Cascade Range, Washington

Mount Formidable at a glance

  • Elevation8,341 ft2,542 m
  • RouteSouth Route via Cache ColClass 3
  • Distance20 mi7,500 ft gain
  • Time2 – 3 daysVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeCascade RangeWashington

Climbing the South Route via Cache Col

From Marblemount, drive the rough Cascade River Road to the Cascade Pass trailhead; it usually opens by early July, and a gate at milepost 20 or 21 adds 2 to 3 miles each way. Hike to Cascade Pass, traverse below Mixup Peak, and climb the Cache Glacier to Cache Col, then drop to camp at Kool-Aid Lake outside the park. Cross the Red Ledge, ascend the Middle Cascade Glacier to the Spider-Formidable col, then traverse into the south basin and scramble a maze of gullies to Class 3 rock at the top. Cache Col can moat out late in the season, and camping is not allowed near Cascade Pass. Plan 2 to 3 days.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (55–75 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy
  • Mountaineering Boots
  • Gaiters
  • Crampons
  • Ice Axe
  • Helmet
  • Rope
  • Harness
  • Carabiners
  • Belay Device
  • Glacier Glasses

What to watch for

  • Glacier travel
  • Crevasses
  • Route-finding difficulty
  • Steep exposure
  • Loose rock

Quests with Mount Formidable

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Formidable?

Mount Formidable is 8,341 feet (2,542 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Washington.

How hard is it to climb Mount Formidable?

The South Route via Cache Col is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 20 miles with 7,500 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Mount Formidable?

Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the South Route via Cache Col, with at least one night on the mountain.

Is Mount Formidable dangerous to climb?

It has real risks: crevasses on the glacier, exposed sections where a fall would be serious and rockfall from loose rock. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.

Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Mount Formidable?

Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the South Route via Cache Col, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Glacier travel also means a rope, harness and crevasse rescue skills. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.

When is the best time to climb Mount Formidable?

The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Mount Formidable with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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