Really fun solo day in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness. Didn't see anyone else out there all day. Larches were at their peak. Plenty of water on the route, didn't use more than my 2x 500ml flasks.
Summited Star in 2:50 from the TH
Summited Courtney in 4:00 from the TH
Summited Oval in 6:10 from the TH
Plenty of blow-downs to negotiate. The West Fork Buttermilk Trail could use a some chainsaw work.
Took the “bushwhack descent” from Oval instead of adding mileage and a bit of gain. Seems to be what the previous FKT-holders did as well. It wasn’t too bad.
Courtney was really fun, an easy ridge walk-up with some Class 2 scrambling for the last bit. Star was easy Class 2 and some loose, but manageable, scree. Oval was more difficult. The approach trail is abandoned, so route-finding wasn't always straightforward. Then you have a decent section of off-trail shenanigans. Then the entire ridge is boulder hopping on wobbly big blocks. I think the book rated this one class 2 but I’d say it’s got some short sections of class 3 in it… so class 2+? Idk.
Star summit register was a nalgene bottle, with no pencil, so didn't get to sign. Could use replacing.
Courtney did not have a summit register. Took photo of "summit cairn" for proof.
Oval summit register was 2 rusty cans, also no pencil, so didn't get to sign. Could use replacing.