TR Replies
Things soften up much in the sun?
Thanks for posting!
Worth heading your way just for the view!
Worth heading your way just for the view!
My wife was due 1/7/15 also, our second. Had a trip with some friends planned up to Paradise just before the New Year, one last easy tour before the baby came. Needless to say, my wife ended up delivering 12/26. Glad to see you were able to make it up before your wife delivered.
author=richfef link=topic=33388.msg138420#msg138420 date=1421106076]
Is there significant crevasse hazard on this route?
There are large crevasses that start just above Crag View at ~6500 in late summer, and that close in winter. I guess they will be covered by now given the OK snow cover at higher elevations but this winter is just too weird...Squak Gl. route is considered more safe than Easton Gl. route regarding the crevasse...
Hey, this is what we all take the chance of doing because we are so happily addicted. Not just the chance of bad judgement getting us avalanched; the chance of a long anticipated major adventure mission being a washout/skunked/bageled/0-fer'd. Seriously good on ya for having the mindset you had and candor to pen it. Part of our passion.
Is there significant crevasse hazard on this route?
Follow Scott Paul trail until you find enough snow to skin up the mountain, to descend reverse procedure
More pics
On a related note, does anyone have a gpx track for a good way to access the Squak? We just followed the Scott Paul Trail, is there a more direct route?
Coord's of road closure: 48.69044, -121.76891
2,839' elev.
2,839' elev.
Looks like there will be some good alpine skiing till thursday around the pass. Pic is from the Sapphire Col-Lilly traverse today. Windboard above around 2400m on Sapphire col and the lilly. Smooth pow below that. The west aspect off sapphire col skied really well surprisingly.
Thanks for the update. Hoping to head up that direction later this month if conditions improve.
The pass is a big place and has a spatially variable snowpack. The west side of the divide is quite a bit more stable then the east. The drive could still be worth it if the snow holds off for another week.
Thanks for the report, even though you have more snow than here in the NW it sure does not make me want to drive nine hours to enjoy it!
author=Good2Go link=topic=33369.msg138375#msg138375 date=1420935023]
Guaranteed corn. South side roolz!
Next inversion I'm calling you Aaron!
Andy, that crown in the back bowl extended all the way around to north facing as well . Intermittent only at the east facing lower angle slope. I had heard of this happening but never seen it before. All along the Paradise wall there were slides larger than normal. It all settled out right at the last serac. The rain runnels had stopped at that point as well on the east facing paradise glacier runs. It sure surprised us and we went for it closely following DW's tracks.
I'm with Dan, best report/snow this year, and good to hear Scott still has a fools errand or two left in him! Nice going.
author=Pete_H link=topic=33369.msg138356#msg138356 date=1420912716]
Interesting choice. I wonder what the south side of the mountain would ski like? Maybe the corn and sunscreen you were after.
Guaranteed corn. South side roolz!
John, all I can say is he he he, what were you thinking?
Yeah on the 6th there were many many avalanches; the back bowl on Mazama had the longest crown I've seen there (on the south-facing slope of 911). I found a broad range of crusts. Coming down the face of Mazama I was pleased with myself and my new Volkl Nanuqs until a whole plate of crust collapsed underneath me sending my lead ski flying and my *ss up, back, and straight down on my heel: OUCH! Layed there a while waiting to see if I could move my right leg. Then garlaned down the rest...
January 7th continued... skinned to 8000 where we found the semi boiler plate again. Being a lot older and a bit smarter... turned it around and headed down.
Yep that was amazing January corn. Especially given the fact every other aspect was crap. We made it to the longmire gate at 5:03 with the Ranger right behind us.
author=lrudholm link=topic=33369.msg138363#msg138363 date=1420920682]
The best skiing out there is always on 8 mile rd.
Absolutely! Worthy of a few laps.
author=Pete_H link=topic=33369.msg138356#msg138356 date=1420912716]
Interesting choice. I wonder what the south side of the mountain would ski like? Maybe the corn and sunscreen you were after.
Our original intent was a north side approach to a south side descent. But a late start combined with a nearly impassable Mtnrs. Creek, dispelled with that notion. By the time we got to the basin below Stuart, and saw the state...
The 1/7 pics were in the area we skied, lovely baby butt skiing +6 to +7, down lower it turned into -5 ice on the way out.
The best skiing out there is always on 8 mile rd.
We had similar conditions on the 7th. We kept searching and found this...
I love TRs like this, they remind me of all the crazy ideas and silly tours I have taken..........and all of those trips with, some if not a lot, of hindsight are all really funny.
Interesting choice. I wonder what the south side of the mountain would ski like? Maybe the corn and sunscreen you were after.
author=mikerolfs link=topic=33369.msg138333#msg138333 date=1420843284]
I love your trips, John. And I love your Trip Reports. You do it, so I don't have to. :)
Thanks Mike! Maybe a couple more feet of snow and the mountaineer's creek approach will be trivial. As it was, it's even worse than summer schwacking. Much worse.
Wait a week and then go check it out and report back...
author=mikerolfs link=topic=33369.msg138333#msg138333 date=1420843284]
You do it, so I don't have to. :)
Interesting. That's exactly what I say about your summer trip reports Mike. ;)
Thanks for the TR. I think pictures often describe the conditions better than words.
3 notes:
1. Chains (or socks) can be required for 4wd's. It's rare, but could go into effect while you're at Paradise, stranding you there. The most the rangers will do for you then is to call a tow truck to bring you chains, upping the cost considerably.
2. The gift store by the Inn in Longmire sells chains and will take them back for a full refund if unused. It's a service the concessionaire has agreed to provide to visitors.
3. Echo JPH that if...
1. Chains (or socks) can be required for 4wd's. It's rare, but could go into effect while you're at Paradise, stranding you there. The most the rangers will do for you then is to call a tow truck to bring you chains, upping the cost considerably.
2. The gift store by the Inn in Longmire sells chains and will take them back for a full refund if unused. It's a service the concessionaire has agreed to provide to visitors.
3. Echo JPH that if...
I love your trips, John. And I love your Trip Reports. You do it, so I don't have to. :)
author=Lowell_Skoog link=topic=33353.msg138306#msg138306 date=1420766890]Depends on what kind of experience you want. On a whim once, driving back from CA, stopped at the lodge and rented XC gear. We easily skied about 1/4 around the lake and back in a long afternoon. A tip of the hat to those sloggi...
It seems like skimo gear would be cool for a trip like this. Super light and nimble, but you can actually ski with it.
Beautiful pictures. A winter circumnavigation is very intriguing. It seems like skimo gear would be cool for a trip like this. Super light and nimble, but you can actually ski with it.
I only traveled 4-5 miles of the 31 mile loop. There were a few wind scoured spots where asphalt was visible.
On the skin back to Rim Village, I started wondering how I would do the circumnavigation... classic xc or BC skis, clockwise or counterclockwise, sled or backpack, tent or snow cave, -20 ::) or 25 degree bag, 2 or 3 days, etc. I'd use my backcountry setup since I'd hope to add in elevation along the way, to ski some slopes below the road along with the peaks on the...
On the skin back to Rim Village, I started wondering how I would do the circumnavigation... classic xc or BC skis, clockwise or counterclockwise, sled or backpack, tent or snow cave, -20 ::) or 25 degree bag, 2 or 3 days, etc. I'd use my backcountry setup since I'd hope to add in elevation along the way, to ski some slopes below the road along with the peaks on the...
Yea I'm still having posting problems. Good to see you Sunday. It was surprisingly deep... It seems you got a picture of my best side ;)
author=danpeck link=topic=33318.msg138244#msg138244 date=1420599754]
I think this is the best report this season! Nice work.
Thanks!
Long days make for long lasting memories.
This is on our list. How would this terrain work for circumnavigation of the lake?
Thanks for posting!
Thanks for posting!
Nice,
Very scenic tour. What is the coverage currently on the road around the rim?
Very scenic tour. What is the coverage currently on the road around the rim?
Correct vogtski, and thanks for noting that. Traffic was restricted to those searching for a missing snowshoer. I posted about the snow conditions we saw, because the NRCS/NWAC weather station had been down for a week and TAY is the next best place to get information on what's happening with the snowpack.
author=Charlie Hagedorn link=topic=33346.msg138235#msg138235 date=1420586742]
Using wrong-size chains to pass a checkpoint is lame and won't encourage NPS to open the road.
This implies that everyone carrying correct size chains does encourage NPS to open the road, which obviously isn't true. Just don't drive like a moron if you carry wrong-sized chains. Considering how finicky they are about opening the...
Speaking of chains, saw the following conversation in the Paradise Parking lot on Saturday:
Helpful guy watching a tourist spin their tires pointlessly in the paradise parking lot: "Is your car rear wheel drive?"
Hapless tourist: "Um..yes."
Helpful guy: "You might benefit by moving the tire chains to your rear tires then."
Hapless tourist: "Oh."
Skid several laps on the happy side of Mazama ridge. No wind, occasional su...
Helpful guy watching a tourist spin their tires pointlessly in the paradise parking lot: "Is your car rear wheel drive?"
Hapless tourist: "Um..yes."
Helpful guy: "You might benefit by moving the tire chains to your rear tires then."
Hapless tourist: "Oh."
Skid several laps on the happy side of Mazama ridge. No wind, occasional su...
author=dfhkvs link=topic=33346.msg138243#msg138243 date=1420598236]
With dedicated snow tires, do you need chains? I know a lot of checkpoints are either / or (chains OR dedicated snow tires).
"All vehicles are required to carry tire chains when traveling in the park during the winter season (November 1 - May 1). This requirement applies to all vehicles (including four-wheel-drive), regardless of tire type or weather c...
I think this is the best report this season! Nice work.
With dedicated snow tires, do you need chains? I know a lot of checkpoints are either / or (chains OR dedicated snow tires).
What a great way to celebrate the new year and keep the streak alive!