July 24-25, 2005, Boulder Park Cleaver
7/24/05
3908
9
I love this tour for many reasons!!!
Having completed this route last year in great conditions it warranted a return visit. So Laurent and I headed up to check out conditions...we would be rewarded!!!
On Sunday afternoon we battled bugs and frogs on the long approach to the ridge. We established camp near a creek that ran underneath the last remants of snow on the lower ridge.
We woke early in order to beat the heat...we hiked to the toe of the glacier and roped up as crevasses were open and bridges were probably weak. It amazes me how much slower I travel when roped up.
We ascended to the end of the cleaver...this is where crevasses became much more apparent than the previous year. We climbed to the bergshrund below the headwall (around 9500 feet) and I cautiously walked across the snow bridging the gap. On my third step across the bridge I broke through to my hip...I carefully retreated to a safer spot. We discussed the situation...late in the day, weak bridges, warm and wet snow, rocks falling off the headwall, my now soiled underwear...we decided to descend.
The snow was excellent...buttery carves the whole way down. After breaking camp we snacked on wild blueberries that line the trail...a tasty treat after some tasty turns.
For your information, the Park Headwall looked to be in great condition for skiing.
Check out the photos...this is why I love this tour!
The ski down: http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic44008.jpg
The route: http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic44010.jpg
The hike down the ridge:
Having completed this route last year in great conditions it warranted a return visit. So Laurent and I headed up to check out conditions...we would be rewarded!!!
On Sunday afternoon we battled bugs and frogs on the long approach to the ridge. We established camp near a creek that ran underneath the last remants of snow on the lower ridge.
We woke early in order to beat the heat...we hiked to the toe of the glacier and roped up as crevasses were open and bridges were probably weak. It amazes me how much slower I travel when roped up.
We ascended to the end of the cleaver...this is where crevasses became much more apparent than the previous year. We climbed to the bergshrund below the headwall (around 9500 feet) and I cautiously walked across the snow bridging the gap. On my third step across the bridge I broke through to my hip...I carefully retreated to a safer spot. We discussed the situation...late in the day, weak bridges, warm and wet snow, rocks falling off the headwall, my now soiled underwear...we decided to descend.
The snow was excellent...buttery carves the whole way down. After breaking camp we snacked on wild blueberries that line the trail...a tasty treat after some tasty turns.
For your information, the Park Headwall looked to be in great condition for skiing.
Check out the photos...this is why I love this tour!
The ski down: http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic44008.jpg
The route: http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic44010.jpg
The hike down the ridge:
Awesome!
Nice! That's a great ski.
Do you have any photos of the headwall?
Do you have any photos of the headwall?
Unfortunately I don't have any great photos of the headwall.
I will be surfing with my ski partner next week...I'll ask him to post any good headwall photos he has.
However, here are two links to some of my decent headwall photos:
The upper route:
http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic44025.jpg
Laurent feeding on corn:
I will be surfing with my ski partner next week...I'll ask him to post any good headwall photos he has.
However, here are two links to some of my decent headwall photos:
The upper route:
http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic44025.jpg
Laurent feeding on corn:
Thanks for the report, Matt. I'm wondering to what elevation you could ski at the bottom of your run?
Also, it looks like you were probably still skiing on the late season (June) snow up higher, the really smooth stuff. Did that new layer disappear at some point on the way down, putting you on more cupped/dirty snow?
Also, it looks like you were probably still skiing on the late season (June) snow up higher, the really smooth stuff. Did that new layer disappear at some point on the way down, putting you on more cupped/dirty snow?
Charles, I'll give you some approximate elevations along with another photo. (Maybe Toby can give you some more accurate elevations as he had his altimeter last time...Toby what's the elevation of those high campsites???)
The picture below shows a ribbon of snow (that we could have skied...but does not connect to the upper ridge).
However, we skied to just above the high campsites (where many people usually camp) approx 6000 feet...well below where the Cleaver starts (approx 6800 feet).
As for the snow, it was definately smoother higher up...making the Park headwall looks awesome! We had good turns in soft smooth snow below the bergshrund. This lead to a crevassed section with patches of dirty ice. However, below these crevasses the snow was great. On the cleaver itself the snow was still great...my partner and I likened it to skiing powder in some sections, it was smooth and almost floaty. The linked photo was taken on the upper cleaver before you drop into the face on the cleaver.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic44059.jpg
Sections on the lower cleaver were starting to suncup/runnel (see linked photo below). However, these features were minimal and didn't disrupt our turns. This linked photo was taken at the end of the cleaver...great conditions in my opinion considering the elevation, time of year and low snow year.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic44060.jpg
You're probably correct in assuming that the snow higher up was leftover from June. It was clean and smooth. The transition elevation from clean to dirty snow was at approx 8500-8100 feet. Lower down, the snow was dirtier, and a little more uneven...yet suncups were minimal as the photos suggest.
The picture below shows a ribbon of snow (that we could have skied...but does not connect to the upper ridge).
However, we skied to just above the high campsites (where many people usually camp) approx 6000 feet...well below where the Cleaver starts (approx 6800 feet).
As for the snow, it was definately smoother higher up...making the Park headwall looks awesome! We had good turns in soft smooth snow below the bergshrund. This lead to a crevassed section with patches of dirty ice. However, below these crevasses the snow was great. On the cleaver itself the snow was still great...my partner and I likened it to skiing powder in some sections, it was smooth and almost floaty. The linked photo was taken on the upper cleaver before you drop into the face on the cleaver.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic44059.jpg
Sections on the lower cleaver were starting to suncup/runnel (see linked photo below). However, these features were minimal and didn't disrupt our turns. This linked photo was taken at the end of the cleaver...great conditions in my opinion considering the elevation, time of year and low snow year.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic44060.jpg
You're probably correct in assuming that the snow higher up was leftover from June. It was clean and smooth. The transition elevation from clean to dirty snow was at approx 8500-8100 feet. Lower down, the snow was dirtier, and a little more uneven...yet suncups were minimal as the photos suggest.
Matt, thanks for the additional information and photos. Looks very nice, but maybe more suited for an overnight trip like you did at this point. I'm just trying to get some August turns in a day trip - I get ski-lazy at this time of the year. Next year on our awesome snowpack...
Your elevations seem to be close Matt. Also, the bottom of that ribbon of snow in your picture is about 4500'. Nice job, can't wait to go back!
This is my favorite volcano route. Way to find some nice turns, guys.
Ah man I am totally losing right now, looking at those pics!
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