Feb 9, 2011, Mt Herman, Stoneman
2/9/11
1989
3
Finally did Stoneman. I have looked at the line for years and always wanted to do it so the time seemed great with the high pressure sitting over us. We skied up over the top of Mazama bowl and down the east side traversing over to the base of Stoneman. We kicked steps and went up the chute so we would know the ski conditions. I kicked steps up skier's left of the center of the chute with the snow hitting me mid thigh to hip the whole way. The conditions on the left side were quite solid but when approaching the center of the chute the snow pack thinned out to about 6 to 8 inches over hard crust. At the top the standard route coming down and traversing skier's left into the chute was extremely steep and committing.
We were wanting to scout out other routes in the area from the top but as is my typical luck forecasts called for a sunny day as we ascend a cloud comes and sits on top of us so when we reach the top visibility is very limited. We waited a while but to no avail so we dropped in. We started with a ski cut at the top which released a slide over the hard pack center area but the skier's right side (the side we came up) was solid all the way down.
It was a great run but we all had to admit that it was awfully short for the amount of work getting over there.
We were wanting to scout out other routes in the area from the top but as is my typical luck forecasts called for a sunny day as we ascend a cloud comes and sits on top of us so when we reach the top visibility is very limited. We waited a while but to no avail so we dropped in. We started with a ski cut at the top which released a slide over the hard pack center area but the skier's right side (the side we came up) was solid all the way down.
It was a great run but we all had to admit that it was awfully short for the amount of work getting over there.
Sweet! That's a very tempting line, way to check it off your list!
I was out in the field near B'ham all day and the only clouds in the sky were sitting on Baker and it's flanks. The Sisters and Olympics were looking good tho!
I was out in the field near B'ham all day and the only clouds in the sky were sitting on Baker and it's flanks. The Sisters and Olympics were looking good tho!
Good job getting that one done Chuck.
Stoneman must have moguls this year with all its trip reports.
Stoneman must have moguls this year with all its trip reports.
That's an impressive looking chute.
From the looks of the debris in the 2nd pic a climber has gotta hit that on the most stable of conditions if the only route is up the gut.
I like the looks of the decent on the lookers left ridge to add some spice.
From the looks of the debris in the 2nd pic a climber has gotta hit that on the most stable of conditions if the only route is up the gut.
I like the looks of the decent on the lookers left ridge to add some spice.
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