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6/1/14 8:38am
Splitter
May 31, 2014, Vesper Peak
The photo of the chute entrance makes it look a lot steeper than it was.
6/1/14 8:25am
Splitter
May 31, 2014, Vesper Peak
Despite the clouds that followed us much of the way to the summit, the snow from Headlee up was pretty sticky on the way back.
6/1/14 8:24am
Splitter
May 31, 2014, Vesper Peak
Thanks for another grand day out Pavel.

Skinning through lower Wirtz is starting to get thin but the main basin is still well filled in. The summer trail gully is dirty at the entrance and it would be easy to choose the climbers right gully but sometimes it can be difficult at the top. Yesterday it was fine but I have gone that way before when it was a rock scramble at the end.
6/1/14 8:22am
gregL
Silver Peak 5-31-14
Silas' car in parking spot #1 AGAIN?
6/1/14 8:19am
Marcus
Silver Peak 5-31-14
Great to meet you Jim, thanks for the impromptu photo session... :)





6/1/14 1:44am
melchap
May 31, 2014, Silver slopes
Nice day on the silver slopes. Afternoon start. Lots of cars parked along the road. There was a mountaineers post hole parade practicing walking roped up but they weren't too obtrusive.  Skiing towards the lake is still doable. The brush at the exit is getting tedious.  Maybe a good place to find your next Christmas tree?
5/31/14 10:40pm
PS44
May 31, 2014, Vesper Peak
nt
5/31/14 3:04pm
Skier of the Hood
April 23, 2014, K Country, Tower Mountain
Looks like Mr. Wexler revisited this line in May. He also got to bag the summit ramp line to the top of Tower Mountain after it refilled with the sticky spring snow. Some great terrain photos in here for anyone who is considering skiing around Tower Mountain. http://www.globalalpine.com/2014/05/spring-ski-lines-in-k-country.html
5/31/14 12:24pm
Marcus
May 31, 2014, Silver slopes
Great to get some turns in with the Mayor of Silver Peak!  AP and Becky were happy to provide the ladiness.  Good times at the Aardvark afterward, too.
5/31/14 11:08am
b00
5-27-14, silver peak- jim's mobile repair service
author=PhilH link=topic=31806.msg133671#msg133671 date=1401464856]
Are those your leashes? If so, I have to ask - clothes line rope or parachute cord?

i think it is 4mm perlon

author=garrettww link=topic=31806.msg133694#msg133694 date=1401494115]
Did the screws that hold the top plate on your heel piece break? Do you recall what caused the breakage? Those look like pretty new bindings. 
5/31/14 9:26am
Mofro
May 30, 2014, Silver peak
Shhh! Successful senior sitter sunset skiing Silver's secret stashes.
5/31/14 5:30am
watsonskipsmith
May 27, 2014, Silver slopes
author=LangleyBackcountry link=topic=31791.msg133621#msg133621 date=1401385459]
Is the W run toward Annette still worthwhile? Can you ski all the way down to the trail/lake elevation? I was thinking of approaching from that side sometime in the next week, probably earlier rather than later based on the sunnier forecast.


I was totally shocked at how much the west slope melted in 3 days!
It lost more than half of saturday 24th&...
5/31/14 2:33am
garrettww
5-27-14, silver peak- jim's mobile repair service
Did the screws that hold the top plate on your heel piece break? Do you recall what caused the breakage? Those look like pretty new bindings. 
5/30/14 9:01am
gfunk
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
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.
5/30/14 8:55am
gfunk
May 24, 2014, - Dragontail Peak loop
Perfect timing on the lake -- stunning colors and yet some ice for a fast glide across. Well done!
5/30/14 8:49am
Jim Oker
May 27, 2014, Silver slopes
author=LangleyBackcountry link=topic=31791.msg133621#msg133621 date=1401385459]
Is the W run toward Annette still worthwhile? Can you ski all the way down to the trail/lake elevation? I was thinking of approaching from that side sometime in the next week, probably earlier rather than later based on the sunnier forecast.
This time of year, that's a good approach for people who prefer hiking a ways up and down on dirt with skis on their ba...
5/30/14 8:31am
Big Steve
5-27-14, silver peak- jim's mobile repair service
I was a business partner with Jim for 10+ years.  He's a good guy to have on your side.
5/30/14 5:45am
runningclouds
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
True adventure! It is not an obviously beautiful line but what an exposure, and the top looks pretty sweet. Congratulations
5/30/14 5:23am
rlsg
May 24, 2014, - Dragontail Peak loop
NICE TURNS WITH ROOM FOR MORE!!
5/30/14 5:20am
rlsg
May 30, Klahane Ridge, ONP
Neat pics--cool to be so close!!!
5/30/14 5:10am
Shred
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
Awesome! Great photos too!
5/30/14 4:57am
watsonskipsmith
May 27, 2014, Silver slopes
Just a few more pics and vids from sat 24th and tues 27th

https://www.flickr.com/photos/11723786@N06/sets/72157644919783054/

several ski action shots were hijacked from Snakeman's Silver peak 5-24-14 post (without permission!) thanks Snakeman for the awesome action shots!
5/30/14 2:58am
proskidan
May 29, 2014, Silver slopes
author=silaswild link=topic=31802.msg133647#msg133647 date=1401405473]
Beautiful clearing weather. 2" slushy fresh snow above 4800'  1-2" nice corn skiing.on west slopes for 1000-1500'.


My First "Real Tour" on AT Gear. Kicked my butt aerobically, but was amazing. Thanks Silas, Zach, Todd, & Eric.
5/30/14 2:31am
PhilH
5-27-14, silver peak- jim's mobile repair service
Are those your leashes? If so, I have to ask - clothes line rope or parachute cord?
5/30/14 1:54am
jtrue
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
Thanks all, glad I could provide some pics and words people are stoked on.  Gonna be a long summer!
5/30/14 12:47am
Jake the Brit
May 24-25, Glacier Peak
Excellent photo essay. Tanks
5/30/14 12:43am
garrettww
May 24-25, Glacier Peak
Thanks for sharing - great pics and an entertaining read! I checked out the full report on your blogspot site. My crew had planned on attempting GP over Memorial weekend as well, but changed plans based on the weather forecasted. Your report affirms our decision. Sounds like a reasonable approach on skis is all but over for this season on Glacier Peak. Maybe next year. I love the part about not setting alarms for an alpine start. So true!
5/29/14 3:03pm
mikerolfs
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
Wow!  Fabulous.  Thanks for posting.  That is great adventure.
5/29/14 12:37pm
rlsg
May 24-26, Three Sisters range
Perfect!!!
5/29/14 11:52am
CurtF
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
Great post!  Really enjoyed the story and the pictures.  Nice to see high quality stuff from other locales.
5/29/14 8:36am
Charlie Hagedorn
May 24-26, Three Sisters range
Another party skinned with ski crampons to the summit of Middle that day, which must have taken some finesse on the ridgeline. As for whether axes/crampons were required: like usual, it was up to the softness of the snow. The difficulty by the summit routes we took was comparable to a slightly-steeper variation the south side of Adams (and slightly glaciated in the case of the WR of S. Sister); just as on that route sometimes you can skin all the way, and sometimes you can't, I imagine that...
5/29/14 8:24am
rlsg
May 24-26, Three Sisters range
author=Charlie Hagedorn link=topic=31786.msg133633#msg133633 date=1401396291]
We were surprised with how accessible the Pole Creek trailhead is; it's barren and dry. The snowline was approximately where our plotted tracks diverge on the approach/exit. The impression we'd gotten from road/trail conditions reports and a call to a ranger station had us expecting a lot more low-elevation snow.

Bring shoes for the fun walk through the Pole Cree...
5/29/14 8:06am
rlsg
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
See all the pics now...very cool and what a great adventure and write-up.  Keep posting!!!!!!!!!!!!
5/29/14 7:40am
jtrue
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
author=Edgesport link=topic=31794.msg133634#msg133634 date=1401398478]
Incredible mountain.  Is that the route Bill Briggs took to the top?


I'm not sure about his route of Ascent, he descended the east face and down the Stettner instead of down the Ford and then the Chevy, which intersects the Stettner.
5/29/14 7:33am
Edgesport
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
Incredible mountain.  Is that the route Bill Briggs took to the top?
5/29/14 6:41am
Charlie Hagedorn
May 24-26, Three Sisters range
We were surprised with how accessible the Pole Creek trailhead is; it's barren and dry. The snowline was approximately where our plotted tracks diverge on the approach/exit. The impression we'd gotten from road/trail conditions reports and a call to a ranger station had us expecting a lot more low-elevation snow.

Bring shoes for the fun walk through the Pole Creek Burn.

@rslg - I think if we'd had to get out without the assistance of general/special relativi...
5/29/14 6:21am
jtack
May 24-26, Three Sisters range
Thanks for the report, I have had my sights on Middle Sisters for a few years, and for one reason or another can't quite seem to get it done.  Good to know the trail head is accessible now, great pic as well.
5/29/14 5:44am
LangleyBackcountry
May 24, 2014, Cutthroat Peak, Portly, Point 7250
Seems to me that if you chose to participate in a community of skiers such as TAY, and you read, post, and comment here, that it is contradictory to suggest what trip information someone else shouldn't share. The whole point here is to share experiences.

If there is a "local ethic" about sharing information, that is fine for the locals. But unless you are part of that local community there is no way to know if such a prevailing ethic exists. The local may choose to keep...
5/29/14 4:30am
JimD
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
Thanks for the great TRs and pics, esp. this one - love those runnels leading down.
5/29/14 3:23am
Mofro
May 27, 2014, Silver slopes
author=LangleyBackcountry link=topic=31791.msg133621#msg133621 date=1401385459]
Is the W run toward Annette still worthwhile? Can you ski all the way down to the trail/lake elevation? I was thinking of approaching from that side sometime in the next week, probably earlier rather than later based on the sunnier forecast.


Worthwhile? - yes.

Skiable to the lake/ trail elevation? - no.  maybe down to elev. 4200-4300ft...
5/29/14 3:22am
jtrue
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
THE DESCENT

After topping out we looked at the watch and it was just after 10am, upper section was perfect soft carveable corn.  There was another group of mountaineers at the top which we passed. on the descent.

Ian making a turn off the top
5/29/14 2:55am
LangleyBackcountry
May 27, 2014, Silver slopes
Is the W run toward Annette still worthwhile? Can you ski all the way down to the trail/lake elevation? I was thinking of approaching from that side sometime in the next week, probably earlier rather than later based on the sunnier forecast.
5/29/14 2:50am
BillK
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
Out of all my Grand ski adventures, this one is probably my favorite! Fun climb, too.... Nice job!
5/29/14 2:44am
jtrue
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
author=Rowan Stewart link=topic=31794.msg133588#msg133588 date=1401324477]
sweet photos! Its cool to see a splitboarder climbing with guys sporting skimo gear - nice work! I'm also stoked to see part two...


Ian splitboards as well, but chose the skis for this trip.  Wait til we get Matt on some Aliens, watch out!
5/29/14 2:15am
jtrue
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
author=Kyle Miller link=topic=31794.msg133607#msg133607 date=1401338330]
Matt is such a great guy and a very competent ski mountaineer.

Been very fortunate to have toured with him a small bit in the Wasatch.

Please tell him I said hello.


Yep, both Ian and Matt are great mountain partners!  Matt is probably lurking, but I'll say what's up.
5/29/14 1:10am
Pete_H
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
Looks like an awesome climb! Interested to see how many raps required on descent. Looking forward to the next installment.
5/29/14 1:06am
Charlie Hagedorn
May 24-26, Three Sisters range
The last thousand feet was more-firm, but still soft-enough to be fun. Anything fully exposed to the wind was more firnspiegely, but temperatures were warm enough to keep it soft. Once we were onto sunny slopes out of the wind, it was great!
5/29/14 12:32am
Jonn-E
March 22-April 5, 2014, The Neacola Range- AK
Nikwax makes a waterproofer for climbing skins that may help, I think wetness is the root cause.
5/28/14 11:10pm
Kyle Miller
May 26, 2014, The Grand, Ford-Stettner
Matt is such a great guy and a very competent ski mountaineer.

Been very fortunate to have toured with him a small bit in the Wasatch.

Please tell him I said hello.
5/28/14 2:09pm
mikerolfs
May 27, 2014, Silver slopes
Interesting track ghosts in that first picture, Silas.  Do you think the arc tracks under the cornice are snowmobile highmark tracks?  Liked the sunset photo, wolfs.