March 17, 2011, North Cascade Heli
3/17/11
3481
3
Fine, I admit it, I'm addicted to heli-boarding. At the risk of being mocked for writing two trip reports about heli-boarding in a single season here goes.
North Cascade Heli had a single day opening for a group of four listed on their homepage for March 17. With the forecast of nearly perfect conditions I managed to pull together a group of four people on Monday for the Thursday adventure. There is a March special at NCH where you get the fourth seat for half-price with three full fare seats.
We left from Seattle for Winthrop on Wednesday night after work. A deer filled, five hour drive put us at the reasonably priced Mt. Gardner Cabins a little after 10pm. With the sun rising in a blue sky we left at 7am on Thursday morning for the final 15 minutes to Mazama.
The first heli group left from the base shortly after 9am. We were in the second group. Skies were blue, winds were light in the morning and despite the fact that it hadn't snowed in a few days the snow was damn near perfect. Temps at the elevation they ski haven't been warm enough to ruin the healthy dose of March powder NCH has received.
There are some interesting things to say about snow stability. First, we were able to easily trigger some small (8 inch crown) soft slab slides on convex roll overs. The slides were really soft and didn't seem to pose much danger, but it's certainly something to watch out for. Second, the warm afternoon sun was heating south facing aspects and causing snow to release off rocks causing some small slides. We were skiing mostly north facing slopes so this didn't concern us too much, but it's worth noting. Finally, there are were several pretty intimidating cornices mostly hanging over the north facing slopes. With enough warming these might release, and given their size I wouldn't want to be caught below them.
All in all it was a great day. We put in eleven runs by the time we were done. Also, worth noting, due to great snow conditions NCH just announced that they are extending their season for another week. They have openings next week and the forecast looks good.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=48.55297816440071&lon=-120.58319091796875&site=sew&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text
Here's a video and some pics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaSLeJ83PLw
North Cascade Heli had a single day opening for a group of four listed on their homepage for March 17. With the forecast of nearly perfect conditions I managed to pull together a group of four people on Monday for the Thursday adventure. There is a March special at NCH where you get the fourth seat for half-price with three full fare seats.
We left from Seattle for Winthrop on Wednesday night after work. A deer filled, five hour drive put us at the reasonably priced Mt. Gardner Cabins a little after 10pm. With the sun rising in a blue sky we left at 7am on Thursday morning for the final 15 minutes to Mazama.
The first heli group left from the base shortly after 9am. We were in the second group. Skies were blue, winds were light in the morning and despite the fact that it hadn't snowed in a few days the snow was damn near perfect. Temps at the elevation they ski haven't been warm enough to ruin the healthy dose of March powder NCH has received.
There are some interesting things to say about snow stability. First, we were able to easily trigger some small (8 inch crown) soft slab slides on convex roll overs. The slides were really soft and didn't seem to pose much danger, but it's certainly something to watch out for. Second, the warm afternoon sun was heating south facing aspects and causing snow to release off rocks causing some small slides. We were skiing mostly north facing slopes so this didn't concern us too much, but it's worth noting. Finally, there are were several pretty intimidating cornices mostly hanging over the north facing slopes. With enough warming these might release, and given their size I wouldn't want to be caught below them.
All in all it was a great day. We put in eleven runs by the time we were done. Also, worth noting, due to great snow conditions NCH just announced that they are extending their season for another week. They have openings next week and the forecast looks good.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=48.55297816440071&lon=-120.58319091796875&site=sew&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text
Here's a video and some pics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaSLeJ83PLw
As my Father-in-law says, 1/8 off a large number is still a large number!
Does look fun though.
Does look fun though.
It's not hard to understand how you could get addicted. Heliskiing is high on my to do list.
Man I wish I hadn't opened this thread ;)
We were up there for a three day session last week (March 11-13). Friday we were last out of the barn but still managed to get in 11 laps. Saturday we were first out but after 2 laps the fog rolled in and we headed back. The other 2 groups never made it out. Sunday the first group went out and got 2 laps, the second group left twice and came back twice without setting down and we never made it out, again due to the fog in Cedar and Varden Creek(s). We were offered a spot on the trip for Monday if we wanted to stay over and roll the dice or your spot, Thursday the 17th. Since 3 members of our group were from Seattle it just wasn't going to work so we ended up taking the voucher for next season (or maybe even next week?!?). Heck, that just means we'll have to book another 3 day trip for next season!
All is all the operation is top-notch with a sweet laid-back vibe and good people. Sometimes Mother Nature just won't cooperate ::)
We were up there for a three day session last week (March 11-13). Friday we were last out of the barn but still managed to get in 11 laps. Saturday we were first out but after 2 laps the fog rolled in and we headed back. The other 2 groups never made it out. Sunday the first group went out and got 2 laps, the second group left twice and came back twice without setting down and we never made it out, again due to the fog in Cedar and Varden Creek(s). We were offered a spot on the trip for Monday if we wanted to stay over and roll the dice or your spot, Thursday the 17th. Since 3 members of our group were from Seattle it just wasn't going to work so we ended up taking the voucher for next season (or maybe even next week?!?). Heck, that just means we'll have to book another 3 day trip for next season!
All is all the operation is top-notch with a sweet laid-back vibe and good people. Sometimes Mother Nature just won't cooperate ::)
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