TR Replies

Yep it was a big one!

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.

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!

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...

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=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 best skiing out there is always on 8 mile rd.

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.

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...

Thanks for the TR. I think pictures often describe the conditions better than words.

I love your trips, John. And I love your Trip Reports.  You do it, so I don't have to.  :)

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.

Nevermind - post went thru first time!

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.

Nice,
Very scenic tour.  What is the coverage currently on the road around the rim?

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...

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...

With dedicated snow tires, do you need chains? I know a lot of checkpoints are either / or (chains OR dedicated snow tires).

We skied tatoosh on saturday.  There were some pockets of fresh hidden in the trees, but everything open was crusty.  One of my bindings decided not to return to ski mode, so I had an interesting descent and we called it an early day.  The view from the saddle between pinnacle and castle made the trip worth it, with adams, st helens and hood all visible with a yellow backdrop.

Let's hope for some more snow soon.

That is a lot of headlamp time! But the first pic is awesome. Nice run!

Thanks for the kind words. Here is a little video

Good effort and photos.  Nice to see alecapone in action; I thought he had dropped off the edge of the map.    ;D

rad!  i agree with kyle--the sunset photo of scott is one of my favorite that i've seen all season.

i think it was a good call not to join you guys as even the "all pow no shwack" day that i did instead caused me a bit of ankle pain... but i'm still feeling better each day and expecting that i'll be back to the alder thicket hikes in no time.

author=CascadeYeti link=topic=33189.msg138117#msg138117 date=1420259629]
I was told the road from Longmire to Paradise would not open that day so I turned around and went home  :'(

Follow the mount rainier national park Twitter feed. They update it almost daily in the early hours of the morning to notify visitors on expected time the gate will (or will not) be opening.

Nice one guys