March 6, 2008, Mt. Rainier, Stevens Ridge
3/6/08
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
1303
2
Jeff & I were hoping to do the lower Nisqually Glacier, but were put off by the warm forecast and lack of overnight freezing at Paradise. I had visions of rockfall & rotten snow at the terminus.
Instead, we crossed Mazama Ridge, had a mile-long schuss down the Stevens Creek bench to the top of Fairy Falls, and climbed Stevens Ridge in one big switchback. Travel North was soon discouraged by a double-corniced near-arete, so we had a leisurely lunch and took in the vastness of it all.
To the south is open & gladed terrain similar to upper Mazama Ridge, but smaller and more consistently inclined. There's even a 'back bowl' and secret stashes worthy of an overnight trip. We cruised down fine powder sheltered by the ridgetop tree screen to about 5200' where the ridge bends east, before backtracking. Wish I'd been bold enough to take advantage of the great coverage and continue over the edge down to the Stevens Canyon road far below.
The commonly traveled Paradise area looks quite small from this distance. Little T & Cowlitz Chimney look skiable from close to their summits, tho Whitman Crest is probably more suitable for this old fool. Other big lines probably await their first descent, such as the E face of Cowlitz Rock (2000', 40+ , rockbands & crevasses) and the NE face of Stevens Peak (3800 vf of steep in the middle of nowhere).
The snow was enjoyable old powder on sheltered E or W aspects. Sunny exposures tended to have a variety of challenging crusts. I figure we did about ten miles, 3000 vf, 10 skin transitions.
Instead, we crossed Mazama Ridge, had a mile-long schuss down the Stevens Creek bench to the top of Fairy Falls, and climbed Stevens Ridge in one big switchback. Travel North was soon discouraged by a double-corniced near-arete, so we had a leisurely lunch and took in the vastness of it all.
To the south is open & gladed terrain similar to upper Mazama Ridge, but smaller and more consistently inclined. There's even a 'back bowl' and secret stashes worthy of an overnight trip. We cruised down fine powder sheltered by the ridgetop tree screen to about 5200' where the ridge bends east, before backtracking. Wish I'd been bold enough to take advantage of the great coverage and continue over the edge down to the Stevens Canyon road far below.
The commonly traveled Paradise area looks quite small from this distance. Little T & Cowlitz Chimney look skiable from close to their summits, tho Whitman Crest is probably more suitable for this old fool. Other big lines probably await their first descent, such as the E face of Cowlitz Rock (2000', 40+ , rockbands & crevasses) and the NE face of Stevens Peak (3800 vf of steep in the middle of nowhere).
The snow was enjoyable old powder on sheltered E or W aspects. Sunny exposures tended to have a variety of challenging crusts. I figure we did about ten miles, 3000 vf, 10 skin transitions.
You Wascals! sounds like one great tour leads to another.
Gary, thanks for another great day and some tantalizing suggestions in your TR for future expeditions for some brave souls.
I forgot to mention that I climbed all the way up the road from 4th Crossing without putting my skins on. I'd done that once a few years ago on a a day with a similar combination of snow and weather conditions, so I figured it was worth a try.
I forgot to mention that I climbed all the way up the road from 4th Crossing without putting my skins on. I'd done that once a few years ago on a a day with a similar combination of snow and weather conditions, so I figured it was worth a try.
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