TR Replies
I hope you get your gear back. I lost a ski in a blizzard on the Muir Snowfield years back. A full year later I struck up a conversation with a random person on the Snowfield person who turned out to have found it the previous spring when it melted out. I got the binding back :)
I'm a bit perplexed by the habit of relying on brakes to stop skis on glaciers; in my experience (watching skis owned by others sail away into the land of the lost) brakes just aren't a effective mea...
I'm a bit perplexed by the habit of relying on brakes to stop skis on glaciers; in my experience (watching skis owned by others sail away into the land of the lost) brakes just aren't a effective mea...
Good luck. Hope someone finds it and returns it to you. BTW, nice job on getting the summit. Curious: what kind of binding was on it?
author=burns-all-year link=topic=30540.msg127864#msg127864 date=1391027413]
^^^^I've been thinking the same thing: mystified by the willingness to tackle these objectives with inappropriate gear. Does the ability to post a trip report on the net affect decision-making for these people? Inexperience? High risk tolerance? Can't be just plain stupidity. I wonder....
I went rock climbing this weekend inste...
^^^^I've been thinking the same thing: mystified by the willingness to tackle these objectives with inappropriate gear. Does the ability to post a trip report on the net affect decision-making for these people? Inexperience? High risk tolerance? Can't be just plain stupidity. I wonder....
author=T. Eastman link=topic=30540.msg127822#msg127822 date=1390968589]
Crucial to that was that when looking at accidents, it seemed as though most accidents occurred during routine trips when either someone spaced out, was tired, or when conditions were not as anticipated. Take away from that was that you must always be cautious and the mountain will kill you given a chance.
Just to add one more- not altering or changing object...
author=T. Eastman link=topic=30540.msg127822#msg127822 date=1390968589]
We all learn from mistakes but also from the culture of sport and the mentors we encountered early in the ongoing learning process. I was fortunate to have safety drilled into my head from an early age when developing as a climber, mountaineer, and a skier. Crucial to that was that when looking at accidents, it seemed as though most accidents occurred during routine trips when either som...
Man, at least you summited before the incident!
Joking aside, you might want to reassess your opinion of a skilled ski mountaineer not needing ice or crampon expertise. Without that, you're a freeskier.
Joking aside, you might want to reassess your opinion of a skilled ski mountaineer not needing ice or crampon expertise. Without that, you're a freeskier.
author=oldman takealookat link=topic=30540.msg127805#msg127805 date=1390948138]
T.Eastman,
Did you ever have one of those alpine experiences that enabled you to realize all that you didn't know? If not, how did you...
thanks for sharing your story, glad you made it out. We can all learn from your experience to better prepare ourselves. I think every person here has been up on a mountain and at some point in their life made a potentially fatal mistake.
I was up on Baker the weekend before just for some day sled skiing, and turned back not far above where the sheet of ice started, even as I watched several people continue on. I knew that I would definitely not feel comfortable at all climbing to the...
I was up on Baker the weekend before just for some day sled skiing, and turned back not far above where the sheet of ice started, even as I watched several people continue on. I knew that I would definitely not feel comfortable at all climbing to the...
Sorry for being short with words.
This was a trip Jeff had planned to do with Franklin. Thanks jeff for dragging me out. It was a humbling honor. Definatly an awesome area even with the low snow cover.
Trevor,
Ive read your stories on wenatcheeoutdoors, and just reread the dakobeds traverse one again yesterday. Good stuff.
This was a trip Jeff had planned to do with Franklin. Thanks jeff for dragging me out. It was a humbling honor. Definatly an awesome area even with the low snow cover.
Trevor,
Ive read your stories on wenatcheeoutdoors, and just reread the dakobeds traverse one again yesterday. Good stuff.
author=kamtron link=topic=30520.msg127797#msg127797 date=1390942906]
I made a silly gif of Amar making turns down the chute that day.
http://students.washington.edu/kamdh/nolink/amar.gif
Thanks for the GIF, Kam. I smoothed it out using Photoshop (Auto-Align Layers is like magic) and re-exported to a new GIF:
http://www.skimountaineer.com/TR/Images2014/RainierNisquallyChuteCornSkiingAnimation-17Jan2014.gif
That hut-shot is stinkin' awesome
Nice going, that's a fitting tribute to anyone. A big bite. Thanks for the great report.
looks like a good time. thanks for posting the report
Did you ever have one of those alpine experiences that enabled you to realize all that you didn't know? If not, how did you come by that realization? I'm truly curious, as I'm another one who had to learn the hard way.
We all learn from mistakes but also from the culture of sport and the mentors we encountered early in the ongoing learning process. I was fortunate to have safety drilled into my head fr...
author=Charlie Hagedorn link=topic=30540.msg127765#msg127765 date=1390889019]
Thank you, Patrick, for sharing your story that others might learn.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and happy tours afterwards.
Yeesh, I feel your pain. Mine popped out on the park headwall last may. That ride down and walk out was the worst. Here's to a speedy recovery and some good old fashinoed pt!
looks like a fun trip in a cool zone. i remember looking up at clark last spring and thinking it would be worth a trip of its own. i bet franklin would approve.
now hopefully we can be done with this alpine BS for awhile and get back to riding deep pow in low vis.
now hopefully we can be done with this alpine BS for awhile and get back to riding deep pow in low vis.
Route well chosen! Friday we made a day trip to the west peak on Goat. It was a fantastic view from the top and fun ride down in 3-6" of perfect corn.
We descended to around 4200' where we lost the trail and spent the next 3 hours bushwhacking the steep trees and navigating cliffs back to the truck. Its good to come prepared with headlamps, map and compass for sure. It was a fun, challe...
We descended to around 4200' where we lost the trail and spent the next 3 hours bushwhacking the steep trees and navigating cliffs back to the truck. Its good to come prepared with headlamps, map and compass for sure. It was a fun, challe...
author=T. Eastman link=topic=30540.msg127753#msg127753 date=1390881631]
I am going to be harsh...
... people need to re-evaluate their evaluation of their skills. While rare in these parts, such conditions are part of ski touring and most certainly part of ski-mountaineering. Ice axe arrests are a poor substitute for footwork, with and without crampons.
T.Eastman,
Did you ever have one of those alpine experienc...
author=Good2Go link=topic=30540.msg127796#msg127796 date=1390942310]
Knowing when to employ additional safety measures is an art, and we likely all get lucky sometimes in making the more expedient choice. Thanks for the reminder.
Well said. Pure luck is sometimes a good check for the ego. I never used to believe in luck, until the mountains made me.
author=clymbon link=topic=30446.msg127720#msg127720 date=1390859539]
Do they let you sleep in your vehicle? (I have a VW Camper.) That might be the solution to the gate problem - drive up in the evening before 5:00 pm, sleep in the van, get up early and go skiing.
How hard is it to get a permit? Anyone know?
OK, answering my own question here. I called the NPS and asked, and here's what they told m...
Thanks for the pic, Norseman! I like that shot
I made a silly gif of Amar making turns down the chute that day.
http://students.washington.edu/kamdh/nolink/amar.gif
I made a silly gif of Amar making turns down the chute that day.
http://students.washington.edu/kamdh/nolink/amar.gif
The conditions you were facing were unusual for that spot, especially this time of year, and sounds like it was borderline in terms of what tools/practices were required under the circumstances for safe travel. My understanding is that similar conditions and circumstances (e.g., underestimating the risk of a simple slip) resulted in the death of the Rainier climbing ranger a couple years ago (i.e., it can happen to anyone). Knowing when to employ additional safety measures is an art,...
No. It was my partner and I, though we leap frogged with a group of three guys camping out on the ridge Saturday night.
Thanks for sharing the details and lessons. I've heard rumors of a few of the other accidents that Oyvind mentioned this weekend from a couple of different sources but your's is the first that I've seen details of on the internet or the news.
I'm happy for you that you both got out in relatively good shape.
I'm happy for you that you both got out in relatively good shape.
To complete the sequence.
Morning Sun on Baker:
Sorry Marcus for so many pictures, but this is more like a hiking TR than skiing anyway ;)
Morning Sun on Baker:
Sorry Marcus for so many pictures, but this is more like a hiking TR than skiing anyway ;)
What a great tribute to Franklin - thanks for sharing it.
Great thinking gentlemen and very nicely executed.
Trevor
Trevor
well that's some good info. my opinions are limited to blue-bird days when lower paid employees could manage keeping gate open. when the weather hits greater skills are required.
author=vogtski link=topic=30446.msg127736#msg127736 date=1390868829]
The Paradise Visitor Center ('lodge') cafeteria and gift shop are monopoly concessions run by Guest Services, Inc., the operator of the Longmire and Paradise Inns, so thos...
This is just so inspiring. Great trip. Perfect. I love the second photo of skiing into the valley.
thanks Patrick for telling your story. I am happy for you for the positive outcome on what could have been worse.
Keep getting out!
Keep getting out!
Patrick thanks for sharing your story and I'm glad that you and Sarah walked away with only the injuries you received. I've met you once before with Erik at Second Ascent, but was looking forward to a day of climbing with you and Sarah on Baker. While we were aborting our trip and dealing with the ice we were constantly wondering what you two would end up deciding to do once you saw the conditions or if we would run into on the way out.
There is a lot to learn f...
There is a lot to learn f...
Awesome! It was a perfect weekend for alpine camping, and it looks like you guys took full advantage
A really fun trip!
Here's some pics I got with my crappy phone.
http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8009273
Here's some pics I got with my crappy phone.
http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8009273
I am so happy that you are safe and sound and can gain and learn from this experience.
During this dry period our area from Rainier to Baker has experienced a high rate of accidents resulting from slip on hard snow. It is easy to underestimate the lack of friction and the result of a slip.
Lets hope we get some of the white stuff soon !
During this dry period our area from Rainier to Baker has experienced a high rate of accidents resulting from slip on hard snow. It is easy to underestimate the lack of friction and the result of a slip.
Lets hope we get some of the white stuff soon !
Patrick - thanks for sharing your tale, and I'm of course happy to read that you guys got down and will hopefully recover fully (though the shoulder may never be quite the same if it's your first dislocation of it).
I'm guessing you don't think the responses are overly harsh. A good friend who helped introduce me to the NW mountains almost 20 years ago hammered home for me that, even with regular practice, ice axes aren't magic, and as a few others have noted...
I'm guessing you don't think the responses are overly harsh. A good friend who helped introduce me to the NW mountains almost 20 years ago hammered home for me that, even with regular practice, ice axes aren't magic, and as a few others have noted...
Thanks for your post. We almost headed that way except weren't sure about the road condition. now we know!
I'm loving these Rad! "The girl is killing it!"
Ok, here we go:
Some night time reading
Starry night out:
Our home Saturday:
Morning Sun!
Skis were just ou...
Some night time reading
Starry night out:
Our home Saturday:
Morning Sun!
Skis were just ou...
Hey Radka, the sequence of the photos makes it look like you were up all night ;- )
Pretty nice - love the Milky Way shot.
Pretty nice - love the Milky Way shot.
author=T. Eastman link=topic=30540.msg127753#msg127753 date=1390881631]
I am going to be harsh...
... people need to re-evaluate their evaluation of their skills. While rare in these parts, such conditions are part of ski touring and most certainly part of ski-mountaineering. Ice axe arrests are a poor substitute for footwork, with and without crampons.
Thank you for succinctly & kindly stating what immediately c...
I'm pretty certain that low friction and gravity offered sufficient feedback. Falls like this one are no fun, and aren't easily dismissed. Whenever I think on it, I thank my lucky stars not to have lost a ski partner in a similar event.
Thank you, Patrick, for sharing your story that others might learn.
Thank you, Patrick, for sharing your story that others might learn.
It isn't anything about "know it all" attitude, it is about people skiing being honest about their skills and judgement. Always being polite and supportive avoids realistic criticism.
By posting such an account, I would expect some fair evaluation...
... do you get soft fuzzy reviews at work, where the consequences are less likely to result in death?
By posting such an account, I would expect some fair evaluation...
... do you get soft fuzzy reviews at work, where the consequences are less likely to result in death?
Looking forward to being "IN" the race in a couple of weeks. Also stoked that we are going to start getting some typical winter weather. Hope we get a decent bond to that very firm and hard crust out there... Enjoyed your report.
Some jackass always has to be a know it all; and they know they are a jackass because they start by saying "I'm going to be harsh". You should ignore all such posts, you've already beaten yourself up over it. I wanted to say, thanks for sharing, and nice job getting out despite having injuries (and a little bit of help), though I suspect you'd have gotten out anyhow, but maybe had to leave some gear. It is easy to share all that goes well in the mountai...