TR Replies
Great shots as usual Radka, esp. the stars!
I agree that it makes sense to keep specific techniques for the Park Headwall in with the TR.
We could have a great conversation about good techniques, how to report variations, what information is critical to success and safety, and how to determine when lines are in. We have an entire subforum for discussing avalanche conditions and it would seem appropriate to have a similar conversation about other objective hazards.
*running off to start a new thread*
We could have a great conversation about good techniques, how to report variations, what information is critical to success and safety, and how to determine when lines are in. We have an entire subforum for discussing avalanche conditions and it would seem appropriate to have a similar conversation about other objective hazards.
*running off to start a new thread*
Great to hear it. My family and I are also in the midst of moving into town...sounds like a great way to refresh a bit from my current life of boxes. Look forward to exploring the area and meeting folks to adventure with. -Tim
Does anybody rope up for skiing that glacier? It looks like a minefield of crevasses....never mind the gaping bergschrunds. Doesn't look appropriate for "skiers of all abilities"...unless they don't mind falling in.
both ideas make sense to me. Thanks for the suggestion Jason.
Being as Mr. Watson was a pioneer in mediating the alpine experience I'd like to think he would have enjoyed watching his legacy play out... ;)
Looking forward to the vids, both Lowell's and Shred's...
And thanks for sharing your experience Pinch and Lowell. As is well demonstrated in your description, a slopes condition can change quite dramatically within a short span of space of...
Sweet trip Casey. You picked a great day and location for 1 trip a year. Hope you can get out a bit more in the future.
author=Jason4 link=topic=31831.msg133892#msg133892 date=1401898388]
I'd propose starting a new thread on steep skiing. It's a very interesting topic and one that is only briefly related to the Watson Traverse and can fill pages with detailed information.
That's a good suggestion, certainly. But I think this may be a better place to discuss the specifics of dropping in from above on the Park Glacier Headwall. Here&#...
Lowell-
I'd propose starting a new thread on steep skiing. It's a very interesting topic and one that is only briefly related to the Watson Traverse and can fill pages with detailed information. Wildsnow has a decent link on how to grade a line but snow changes so grades seem to only apply to certain aspects of a descent.
http://www.wildsnow.com/more/ski-descent-rating-system/
G...
I'd propose starting a new thread on steep skiing. It's a very interesting topic and one that is only briefly related to the Watson Traverse and can fill pages with detailed information. Wildsnow has a decent link on how to grade a line but snow changes so grades seem to only apply to certain aspects of a descent.
http://www.wildsnow.com/more/ski-descent-rating-system/
G...
I've been wanting to ski Glacier Peak for 14 years. Amazing to finally do it on a bluebird day with perfect snow on my 30th birthday ;) nice to know there are still places so remote and peaceful.
Nice to see you guys out and about! Looks like a fun trip
Very excellent pictures . Great tour and a nice effort to get there!
Kenji, how much Snow was in the sunrise park lot ?
Mt Fremont has also been accessed from the Grand park side via FR 73.
From your pics it still looks like some snow in Grand park for XC skiing if there any XC skiers still active?
Kenji, how much Snow was in the sunrise park lot ?
Mt Fremont has also been accessed from the Grand park side via FR 73.
From your pics it still looks like some snow in Grand park for XC skiing if there any XC skiers still active?
Thanks Stefan.
Good suggestion about trying to drop a cornice (if possible).
My purpose in bringing this up is in no way criticism of your group. When I got to the summit and looked down the headwall I thought "man does that look perfect." I think the conditions on Saturday were about as good as they'll ever be.
Our community has guides and avalanche courses and NSAW (and more) to discuss the process of dealing with avalanche risk. We haven't...
Good suggestion about trying to drop a cornice (if possible).
My purpose in bringing this up is in no way criticism of your group. When I got to the summit and looked down the headwall I thought "man does that look perfect." I think the conditions on Saturday were about as good as they'll ever be.
Our community has guides and avalanche courses and NSAW (and more) to discuss the process of dealing with avalanche risk. We haven't...
Looks like it was in great shape!
I used Lowells #4 technique with an ice axe one time and the slope was too firm on my first turn.
Some tense moments for sure. I had nightmares about possible consequences for some time after.
I used Lowells #4 technique with an ice axe one time and the slope was too firm on my first turn.
Some tense moments for sure. I had nightmares about possible consequences for some time after.
Awesome. Must explore that area sometime.
Thanks for bringing up the issue of skiing the headwall Lowell. After the elation of finding the headwall in such amazing condition and posting the report, I did feel a small qualm about mediating the experience... but as a whole I choose to trust the intelligence and good sense of my fellow skier to put the pieces together. There is certainly no dearth of information here on TAY and in the greater world about the dangers and mitigating intricacies of ski mountaineering. No need to flog th...
I'm sure there will still be enough snow in the E basin. However, I'd think the main trail will be the best way to the lookout. Even now there seems no snow-only approach.
I know it's redundant but that last photo.....................
...and I thought you were in your bedroom.
I'm guessing that this and other reports (and the movie I'm working on) will continue to boost the popularity of the Watson Traverse. I think a lot of skiers will want to try the Park Glacier Headwall, since that's the most spectacular route from the summit.
So it seems like a good time to discuss this alternative. For those of you who've skied the headwall during the traverse, I'm wondering what protocol you recommend for the descent. Do you just take a look...
So it seems like a good time to discuss this alternative. For those of you who've skied the headwall during the traverse, I'm wondering what protocol you recommend for the descent. Do you just take a look...
Thanks for the memorial to our first trip >7k since parenthood Casey! A fine write up. I have nothing to add except a photo near the base of the "rod". Thanks again guys, and happy bday Casey.
author=gfunk link=topic=31794.msg133693#msg133693 date=1401493773]
Strong work navigating some tricky terrain, exposure and rockfall! Awesome pics. Did you ever need a rope on the ascent aside from the quick belay on the ice bulge? By chance did you get eyes on the Skillet -- looking to ski that next month.
Sorry, didn't get eyes on the Skillet. Heard second hand it's pretty runneled though. I soloed up the...
Nice pictures!
Our group of five skied the traverse while taking movies to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Watson-Larson-Hennig trip on May 13, 1939. I'm planning to create a video that combines our footage with some of Dwight Watson's original film. It might be a while before it's done, because I'm super busy.
Thanks for the report!
Our group of five skied the traverse while taking movies to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Watson-Larson-Hennig trip on May 13, 1939. I'm planning to create a video that combines our footage with some of Dwight Watson's original film. It might be a while before it's done, because I'm super busy.
Thanks for the report!
Love that second photo! How great to have that area to yourself. I've been there once in the summer and it was not private, but very busy with me and a thousand other curious hikers.
Nice kenji!
I have been eyeballing a plan to ski E slope of Fremont for a few seasons, haven't made it so yet.
My plan is to:
-wait for road to sunrise to open (this may doom the plan due to snow melt)
-access E slopes of Fremont where "packtrail" is indicated on USGS TOPOs via "sourdough bowls" or "sunrise chutes" just NW of the visitor center. (may have been your return route?)
Can you make a guess on Fremont E slope snow...
I have been eyeballing a plan to ski E slope of Fremont for a few seasons, haven't made it so yet.
My plan is to:
-wait for road to sunrise to open (this may doom the plan due to snow melt)
-access E slopes of Fremont where "packtrail" is indicated on USGS TOPOs via "sourdough bowls" or "sunrise chutes" just NW of the visitor center. (may have been your return route?)
Can you make a guess on Fremont E slope snow...
Nice one gents. Looks like a great ski and even better company.
It was definitely a super fun outing and a great route. Not much to add, except Casey ripping! Thanks guys......
Sorry, I meant it to read that I have done that run with a snowmobile assist!! LOL. My typing communication breakdown!
Again, NICE RUN! And great pic #3 of "the rod of GOD".
You all look very satisfied :)
Again, NICE RUN! And great pic #3 of "the rod of GOD".
You all look very satisfied :)
I meant it to read we were sharing the parking area and approach with a bunch of sleds. We in fact were not using snowmobiles.
Nice one!
Even easier with a snowmobile assist ;)
But maybe not as rewarding? Cheers.
Even easier with a snowmobile assist ;)
But maybe not as rewarding? Cheers.
looks like a stellar tour, fellas! welcome (back) to the mtns, TJ.
must check this line out sometime.
must check this line out sometime.
yeah purty pics mr cumulus. with conditions like that on the headwall, darn tootin' you should write a TR...
That line on johnson has been burned in my brain ever since I was out near maiden/elk and saw it. Nice eye!
Thanks you guys for the nice comments.
Dan- The approach is melted out to the Lower Meadow so travel is casual. Early season approaches can definitely be a battle when those paths are snow/debris covered.
Stefan- exactly.
Dan- The approach is melted out to the Lower Meadow so travel is casual. Early season approaches can definitely be a battle when those paths are snow/debris covered.
Stefan- exactly.
now that is impressive.
so your approach was to go to the col between Clark and Johnson, ski down into the basin NE side and then ascend the old glacier and then your couloir and then come down it?
so your approach was to go to the col between Clark and Johnson, ski down into the basin NE side and then ascend the old glacier and then your couloir and then come down it?
Thanks everyone, I think part of why it went so smoothly for me were the turquoise zebra spandex that I was wearing. Probably the ultimate material on a warm day... but not warm at night, as I found out!
I was at the top of 7th heaven chair Saturday chillin' from about noon to 2 pm, About 2 hours up on the cat track to tye mill and then up towards 7th heaven up what I think is cloud 9 or something like that, Was a beautiful day i hope to go this weekend if the snow holds...
seems the snow might be a little thin at the base this weekend .
I did see two people skining up skyline from the top of 7
Mike
seems the snow might be a little thin at the base this weekend .
I did see two people skining up skyline from the top of 7
Mike
Your dog definitely gets around! Looks like a fun trip
This is one of the best ski runs in Washington when you hit it right for spring skiing. I rarely lap something in spring because spring is not my thing, but this run I have. It has a perfect pitch and can be so smooth like a manicured run at some posh resort in Colorado with perfect corn but far better because you feel like a soaring bird. You seem to have hit it right.....definitely envious I was not there.
I will have to settle for left overs this year, but this ru...
I will have to settle for left overs this year, but this ru...
Thanks for the thumbs up, dudes.
G, I see that you made it up there as well! Let's go do somethin large this month.
G, I see that you made it up there as well! Let's go do somethin large this month.
author=jwplotz link=topic=31827.msg133780#msg133780 date=1401738119]
Nice tour guys! In the interest of maintaining the integrity of adventure of this area, I recommend you use this map for all future tours.
I am laughing very hard at this jwplotz!
Mike... Cool adventure and area. Wish I could have joined. If I weren't heading out of town this coming weekend I would invite you over to...