Jan 30 - Feb 1, 2008, King Creek Road (Hwy 97)
1/30/08
7656
20
Sad to say, but the recent thread about the uselessness of this site has somewhat drained my eagerness to write TRs. The general tone, a bit harsh to my ear, made me wonder whether or not Fay Pullen has a better solution for my thin skin; she still does her wonderful TRs, but distributes them via private mailings.
But this was an unusual week, so I'll give it a shot:
On Wednesday Snoqualmie pass remained closed long after my usual departure time, so at 9 am I decided to go over Stevens, with the intention of camping at a little spot John M had recommended after his exploration of Old Pass Hill. Thanks for this John! When I got to the parking area (after a long drive) the wind was roaring on the ridge top, with clouds of snow blowing off the trees and across the highway. Having just come over Swauk Pass, I decided to go back the other way where it was much calmer.
Tronsen was out for several reasons, leaving 5 Mile Road, and King Creek Road. I used to ski camp on skinny skis at both of these areas, and I chose King Creek because I always wanted to ski the open slopes below Point 3843 on proper skis. There is not enough vertical here for my usual ski camp, but this was the ideal situation. I left the car at about 2 pm, followed a very nice snowshoe track up for maybe 500 vf and set up. At this point there was about 2 feet of fresh snow on top of a deep layer of sugar snow covered with a slight crust. Packing out took some time, but by evening I was back on my usual schedule.
Thursday morning I started up the hill via headlamp following the snowshoe track in dark, straight up the ridge line. The track ended after a while, and then the work started with a pole depth of 1 to 2 feet. There are a number of wonderful potential runs off the north side of this ridge, but it's a lee slope, and this was definitely not the day for that.
I skied back down the ridge line, cutting off here and there down the windward slope that faces Swauk Pass. It's been a long time (decades!) since I have skied snow like that, blowing up to my waste most of the time. Thank you Trab.
After a phone consultation from my campsite with JM and none other than LS, I decided to drive home the way I had come. I got as far as Levenworth, had lunch and found that Stevens Pass was not expected to be open till 6 pm. So I drove back to Roslyn and stayed in a delightful little B&B, same one LS stayed at the night before. The owner is a marvelous fellow who I gather spends all his time in the woods. I think he said he skis too. ;)
King Creek Road is a mixed use area. There were a few old snomo tracks, but the area is not that heavily used by them till later in the season. If you decide to try it, bring a stout snow shovel to dig the car out, and allow time to do it if it's been snowing. Plenty of area to explore here, but the runs are somewhat short. The snow is much lighter and dryer being this far east, so in conditions like these, it's delightful. Both the ridge line and the windward slope get sun, so timing makes a difference. Early is good.
A few pics:
The first is from Point 3843 looking towards down on the highway leading to Swauk Pass, the second is looking NE towards Tip Top, and the third is a pic of Roslyn early yesterday morning.
Larry
But this was an unusual week, so I'll give it a shot:
On Wednesday Snoqualmie pass remained closed long after my usual departure time, so at 9 am I decided to go over Stevens, with the intention of camping at a little spot John M had recommended after his exploration of Old Pass Hill. Thanks for this John! When I got to the parking area (after a long drive) the wind was roaring on the ridge top, with clouds of snow blowing off the trees and across the highway. Having just come over Swauk Pass, I decided to go back the other way where it was much calmer.
Tronsen was out for several reasons, leaving 5 Mile Road, and King Creek Road. I used to ski camp on skinny skis at both of these areas, and I chose King Creek because I always wanted to ski the open slopes below Point 3843 on proper skis. There is not enough vertical here for my usual ski camp, but this was the ideal situation. I left the car at about 2 pm, followed a very nice snowshoe track up for maybe 500 vf and set up. At this point there was about 2 feet of fresh snow on top of a deep layer of sugar snow covered with a slight crust. Packing out took some time, but by evening I was back on my usual schedule.
Thursday morning I started up the hill via headlamp following the snowshoe track in dark, straight up the ridge line. The track ended after a while, and then the work started with a pole depth of 1 to 2 feet. There are a number of wonderful potential runs off the north side of this ridge, but it's a lee slope, and this was definitely not the day for that.
I skied back down the ridge line, cutting off here and there down the windward slope that faces Swauk Pass. It's been a long time (decades!) since I have skied snow like that, blowing up to my waste most of the time. Thank you Trab.
After a phone consultation from my campsite with JM and none other than LS, I decided to drive home the way I had come. I got as far as Levenworth, had lunch and found that Stevens Pass was not expected to be open till 6 pm. So I drove back to Roslyn and stayed in a delightful little B&B, same one LS stayed at the night before. The owner is a marvelous fellow who I gather spends all his time in the woods. I think he said he skis too. ;)
King Creek Road is a mixed use area. There were a few old snomo tracks, but the area is not that heavily used by them till later in the season. If you decide to try it, bring a stout snow shovel to dig the car out, and allow time to do it if it's been snowing. Plenty of area to explore here, but the runs are somewhat short. The snow is much lighter and dryer being this far east, so in conditions like these, it's delightful. Both the ridge line and the windward slope get sun, so timing makes a difference. Early is good.
A few pics:
The first is from Point 3843 looking towards down on the highway leading to Swauk Pass, the second is looking NE towards Tip Top, and the third is a pic of Roslyn early yesterday morning.
Larry
Never stop posting, Larry. My humble opinion at the moment. I will waffle over it for sure! I very rarely feel that someone might be boasting, or whatever, on a post. I typically don't read long segments , kinda skim them I guess. But I really enjoy knowing what is going on out there. Not just conditions, but who is out, the type of trip and terrain they are seeking, the few special pics they choose, etc. Take Charles' trip up Lennox area. Been studying that one for years and never seem to get over there. He always beats me with trips to the cool less explored areas while they are just ideas in my head! Kidding Charles! I know, I should stop lying on the couch on Friday nights parusing over maps and get a life, right?? Just grab me for the next more in depth exploration of that area that you do!
Anyway, Larry, you are unique in that you are THE ONLY PNWesterner that snow camps EVERY week of the winter that I know of. If that is not a contribution to the ski community and the lore of human-mountain cultural interaction I don't know what is. Sorry to put you on the spot and make you blush but that is how I feel, my friend. I look forward to your posts every week for all the many reasons that a forum like this intends to provide.
BTW, you were right and probably found the best snow and terrain in the Hwy 97 corridor this week. At least terrain accessable without a snowmobile assist. I gotta get over there.
To finish, a wise one I know said, "never take it personally", if someone even hints at having issue with one of YOUR posts, it is obviously something they need to work on in themselves. Allright, no more rant.
John
Anyway, Larry, you are unique in that you are THE ONLY PNWesterner that snow camps EVERY week of the winter that I know of. If that is not a contribution to the ski community and the lore of human-mountain cultural interaction I don't know what is. Sorry to put you on the spot and make you blush but that is how I feel, my friend. I look forward to your posts every week for all the many reasons that a forum like this intends to provide.
BTW, you were right and probably found the best snow and terrain in the Hwy 97 corridor this week. At least terrain accessable without a snowmobile assist. I gotta get over there.
To finish, a wise one I know said, "never take it personally", if someone even hints at having issue with one of YOUR posts, it is obviously something they need to work on in themselves. Allright, no more rant.
John
Love this trip report! Looks like a very beautiful place for sure. Don't get out enough so reading these reports is vicariously very cool!!!! Keep 'em coming please. sg
author=Larry_R link=topic=9023.msg36379#msg36379 date=1201959139]
Sad to say, but the recent thread about the uselessness of this site has somewhat drained my eagerness to write TRs. The general tone, a bit harsh to my ear, made me wonder whether or not Fay Pullen has a better solution for my thin skin; she still does her wonderful TRs, but distributes them via private mailings.
Imagine if managing, moderating, and spam recovering TAY stopped Charles. Hmm, maybe we can get him to disable your ip address from reading "uselessness" threads? When you feel drained, go back to your trip reports and read the comments, then mass email your admirers for support? Please hang in there for us loyal readers!
"Illegitimus Non Carborundum Est" is what my high school friends who took Latin used to say. (oops, showing my age, can you imagine a public high school teaching Latin now?)
Thanks *so much* for the encouragement John, SG, and Silas. It makes a big difference in my enthusiasm. Maybe I'll do that TR about how to ski camp with Raynauds when the temps are near zero after all. At least the tricks I've learned the hard way.
Larry
Ps: no Raynauds is not a buddy of mine from France. ;) If you have it, you know it. Hands and feet turn white and go completely numb with exposure to cold among other triggers. Treatment options are quite limited; low dose alpha blockers being one option.
Larry
Ps: no Raynauds is not a buddy of mine from France. ;) If you have it, you know it. Hands and feet turn white and go completely numb with exposure to cold among other triggers. Treatment options are quite limited; low dose alpha blockers being one option.
A well written report plus pics of an area that I haven't been, I can't find anything to complain about there. Thanks for the report and keep them coming. I think there's room enough for all the different types of reports but I guess we'll see.
Thanks for the thoughtful TR Larry (pics or not).
Keep 'em comming.
;)
Keep 'em comming.
;)
The reason I read TAY on Friday is to see what my brother Larry has to say, since I can't call til late Friday night or Saturday due to his schedule. I am so curious as to how his week went, and I envision always being there too. I can only make it out with him overnight every two or three weeks, and if he didn't go, I wouldn't either.
So Lar, keep posting so I don't have to wait til Saturday to see what you are up to. I love to see you write about your snowcamping tips, since they really work.
Everyone who snowcamps should have a video of how you do stuff, since no one has as much experience, week after week for so many years.
For the last 10 years I had a different tent style from the Larry standard. Cooked my food and melted water in the vestibule in a snow pit. This year I got a new tent, copied how Larry sets up his tent and now cook inside with a smaller stove and heat my tent to balmy temps. Clothes dry, lots of room and I can even sit in my base layer. Thanks Lar.
Your biggest fan,
Jane
So Lar, keep posting so I don't have to wait til Saturday to see what you are up to. I love to see you write about your snowcamping tips, since they really work.
Everyone who snowcamps should have a video of how you do stuff, since no one has as much experience, week after week for so many years.
For the last 10 years I had a different tent style from the Larry standard. Cooked my food and melted water in the vestibule in a snow pit. This year I got a new tent, copied how Larry sets up his tent and now cook inside with a smaller stove and heat my tent to balmy temps. Clothes dry, lots of room and I can even sit in my base layer. Thanks Lar.
Your biggest fan,
Jane
Larry, those bunch of grumpys! Don't listen to them! I agree with John, this is what this site exists for. I always read your TRs first. Even if they are a week old. I can't wait to ski with you! Talk to you soon.
Keep the reports coming, Larry. Your TRs are much more useful, entertaining, and thankfully non-judgemental compared with much of what I'm seeing lately on this forum. The wacky ultra-advanced equipment factor and the fabulous photos are a plus, too.
By the way, what's the name of the new B&B in Roslyn? I just might want to stay there someday.
By the way, what's the name of the new B&B in Roslyn? I just might want to stay there someday.
I agree with what everyone else has said about your TRs, Larry. In fact, I think I've told you the same kinds of things in person, but it's always good to get different (or at least more) viewpoints!
As far as the tone of things here, yes, we do seem to be going through one of those periodic "difficult" phases. But what would happen if you, and everyone else who, like you, wants to see this forum retain both its usefulness and civility, were to stop posting now? I think it would be difficult to maintain these qualities in the forum if this happened. So...keep posting and in doing so help maintain the qualities that attracted you in the first place.
John - I've got more ideas about the Miller River area. I was hoping to see you this weekend and have a chance to talk but heard that that's not going to work out, so we'll have to do it by email.
Forgot to add: wow, Roslyn looks buried! Nice photo!
As far as the tone of things here, yes, we do seem to be going through one of those periodic "difficult" phases. But what would happen if you, and everyone else who, like you, wants to see this forum retain both its usefulness and civility, were to stop posting now? I think it would be difficult to maintain these qualities in the forum if this happened. So...keep posting and in doing so help maintain the qualities that attracted you in the first place.
John - I've got more ideas about the Miller River area. I was hoping to see you this weekend and have a chance to talk but heard that that's not going to work out, so we'll have to do it by email.
Forgot to add: wow, Roslyn looks buried! Nice photo!
One more to the heap, Larry -- it would be a loss for the community if you stopped posting. I always enjoy your TRs and would actually love to hear more about all the little "systems" you have, as we've discussed some in the past. Don't let the difficult phase get you down (I've been feeling similarly, for what it's worth).
Great TR.
Great TR.
Larry,
A friend of mine that loves the outdoors has Raynauds syndrome and won't go snowcamping with me because of it. I've offered to carry extra batteries for his socks and gloves, but he's still not convinced it's a good idea. We would both appreciate hearing your experience. I've never met anyone besides him with Raynauds, let alone a fellow backcountry dude! What luck!
Was that Toltec wisdom John? Good stuff.
-Steve-
A friend of mine that loves the outdoors has Raynauds syndrome and won't go snowcamping with me because of it. I've offered to carry extra batteries for his socks and gloves, but he's still not convinced it's a good idea. We would both appreciate hearing your experience. I've never met anyone besides him with Raynauds, let alone a fellow backcountry dude! What luck!
Was that Toltec wisdom John? Good stuff.
-Steve-
Gee, thanks everybody! I'll see what comes out for this weeks TR. Off the menu probably. :)
Clem, the TAY terms of use would prevent me from mentioning the B&B by name as the proprietor is a good friend. But I will say that he's the same guy who runs the world famous Roslyn Trailbreaking Service upon which I have relied many times in the past, and his initials are JM. ;)
Steve, I'll try to write up some lessons learned the hard way about Reynauds and post a link TAY.
Larry
Clem, the TAY terms of use would prevent me from mentioning the B&B by name as the proprietor is a good friend. But I will say that he's the same guy who runs the world famous Roslyn Trailbreaking Service upon which I have relied many times in the past, and his initials are JM. ;)
Steve, I'll try to write up some lessons learned the hard way about Reynauds and post a link TAY.
Larry
Being an east sider over here in Bend, Or I am abit courious about this area since all I have to do is drive up 97 for eastside "dry".
I could look at a map but what the heck.... Where is Rosyln near? Seems like it beckons (looking at the pics....) SG
I could look at a map but what the heck.... Where is Rosyln near? Seems like it beckons (looking at the pics....) SG
author=skierguitarist link=topic=9023.msg36720#msg36720 date=1202503965]
Being an east sider over here in Bend, Or I am abit courious about this area since all I have to do is drive up 97 for eastside "dry".
I could look at a map but what the heck.... Where is Rosyln near? Seems like it beckons (looking at the pics....) SG
SG, here is a map that should help:
Thanks so much for the map!! Looking forward to more trip reports from you.
author=Slo-Steve link=topic=9023.msg36643#msg36643 date=1202340039]
Larry,
A friend of mine that loves the outdoors has Raynauds syndrome.... We would both appreciate hearing your experience. I've never met anyone besides him with Raynauds, let alone a fellow backcountry dude! What luck!
Steve, here's a link to a draft I just put together. It has not been reviewed however by the TAY Dept. of Medicine and may be full of errors. :) I have not even checked it as I should. I'll probably be horrified when I read it tomorrow. :D
Edit: I forgot to add something about drying out boot liners; I'll do it.
http://www.larryscascaderesource.com/weird/SkiCampingWithRaynauds.html
Larry
I just cought this thread but I think Larry R's BC creativity is really cool. I hope to get to some of the places in your weekend trips.
TAY is almost the only website that IS worth my time; anyone who thinks it's useless can click somewhere else.
TAY is almost the only website that IS worth my time; anyone who thinks it's useless can click somewhere else.
Thanks Larry! Armed with some new knowledge, I hope my friend will feel comfortable getting out in the snow. The "report" was well done, it made sense to me. I also look forward to more tips like how you made custom booties. I'm also into making things as light as possible.
I haven't been around TAY too long, but I would like to ditto what was said previously about your TRs. Thanks.
-Steve-
I haven't been around TAY too long, but I would like to ditto what was said previously about your TRs. Thanks.
-Steve-
Never let those nattering nabobs of negativity stop you from presenting whatever you think may be "useful" in a trip report! I do enjoy yours, Larry, and often watch for your campout stories in particular. Thanks for another fine one.
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