TR Replies
11 hardy instructors from the Washington Alpine Club's backcountry course enjoyed an instructor-development day led by Scott Schell.
Loose snow ran with some effort on a storm layer about 30 cm down on test slopes on the lee (S) side atop the Yodelin trees. A second storm layer displayed itself at CT 9-10, ~70 cm down; a sharp line in columns after testing, but indeterminate fracture character. Friday's rain crust is a prominent feature in the snowpack.
Loose snow ran with some effort on a storm layer about 30 cm down on test slopes on the lee (S) side atop the Yodelin trees. A second storm layer displayed itself at CT 9-10, ~70 cm down; a sharp line in columns after testing, but indeterminate fracture character. Friday's rain crust is a prominent feature in the snowpack.
Nicely done, Mike. I wish you a speedy (full) recovery.
A good deal of road traffic even before 7:30am with the lots nearly full already as we passed by. Deep and deeper between 5500-3800ft, we never found the crust or anyone else all day.
author=pipedream link=topic=30328.msg126946#msg126946 date=1389580085]
Was that you breaking trail uphill through the trees above the RV lot?
Not us. We did not ski in lift accessible terrain. :)
Congrats Mike on good wound healing! I would be in a foul mood for sure if I couldn't do some uphill play.
Was that you breaking trail uphill through the trees above the RV lot? I don't think I've ever seen anyone touring in that area as its usually demolished by the lift-served hoards before noon.
dang that looks like an awesome trip
Thanks Jeff for the fun weekend!
https://vimeo.com/83644406
https://vimeo.com/83644406
Any trip that involves TLC references is a good one!
looks like Rossi's in the flip pic. - Be nice to that snow now. Oh, yaa J D pics are sick
Here's a short video of the day at West then down to the HOME stompin' grounds of the Yak!
got a cool bunny time lapse too as a bonus to the 10 inches :-)
http://thesnowtroopers.com/2014/snoqualmie-pass-wa-finally-there/
got a cool bunny time lapse too as a bonus to the 10 inches :-)
http://thesnowtroopers.com/2014/snoqualmie-pass-wa-finally-there/
author=awatterson link=topic=30300.msg126838#msg126838 date=1389384260]
Spoken like a true Northwesterner Jonn
A local insurance company would agree:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvVZr6vHPhI
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51308688@N06/5533110251
Nice! I believe I was standing just to left of you at the moment that picture was taken getting ready to ski down with my Yellow Lab. It was a nice run and boy did it feel good to ski Snoqualmie Pass snow finally. Made it to my lunch no problem. Cool meeting you, hope to see you out there again.
good call on Stevens. Hyak has snow, but due to the rain is not very good. Not really skiable, even on skis 110 underfoot. Did not even try to ski the face, descended access road.
Excellent shots Franklin! I especially like the black & whites.
Spoken like a true Northwesterner Jonn
Who cares if it was raining we can lap Hyak now!! :D
Thanks Stefan, Ryan, and E$ for a great day. Perfect b-day… I was feeling the celebratory vibe from that first spike to my early dawn coffee all the way through the awesome alpenglow on Shuksan. Pretty good baseline if the best years lie ahead…
author=savegondor link=topic=30241.msg126789#msg126789 date=1389305941]
Looking at the topo of Rock, I'm curious about what the north aspect looks like? thoughts? could you see into that basin?
It is a awesome long open run of moderate angle except for the steep entrances: direct is a tight couloir that was partially melted out when we were there in spring. We downward traversed skiers right to a roll. Too bad i...
Nice. I heard a rumor this morning that microspikes were quite useful on the first and last parts of this venture. Sounds like someone knew what they were getting into...
author=mattgoyer link=topic=30285.msg126809#msg126809 date=1389322434]
You must have missed our TR from two weeks ago. we bailed after about thirty minutes :)
http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=30144.0
It'll likely be good after this storm cycle though!
d'oh! don't know how I missed that. Thanks for trying to give us a heads up... Yeah I hope this week will...
You must have missed our TR from two weeks ago. we bailed after about thirty minutes :)
http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=30144.0
It'll likely be good after this storm cycle though!
http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=30144.0
It'll likely be good after this storm cycle though!
Yeah.. probably better to get to the alpine via a trail until after sunday probably.
Looking at the topo of Rock, I'm curious about what the north aspect looks like? thoughts? could you see into that basin?
Can't say for sure, but I'd think as long as you stay out of their way and be respectful, you should be okay. Worst case, you have to go next door to Central or even as far away as Hyak, both of which should have sufficient, albeit thin, coverage.
What's the scoop with skinning there, say, tonight? Are they busy trying to get it open and want people to stay clear, or is it fair game? Or is there enough coverage over at Hyak to be worth it?
I have only skinned once at Summit Central and I don't know what the "agreement" is.
I have only skinned once at Summit Central and I don't know what the "agreement" is.
KIRO video: http://bcove.me/6lqk43kh
Well I'll be, would you look at that:
After a positive update from the ops crew, we have decided to open for the season! Summit West will be open for limited operations first, with hours from 9am - 4pm starting Friday through the weekend and a minimum of Pacific Crest and Little Thunder chairlifts spinning each day. As we continue to get snow, we'll assess each other base area for possible openings and expand operations at West as conditions al...
I cannot stop myself from adding...WOW...HOLY MOLY...
Wow thanks for the show of support everyone! I never imagined our little sufferfest would garner such a huge response and outpouring of support. I am honored to join the crew of hearty PNW climber/skiers who test their willpower with a trip to Colchuck Lake. Next time IT WILL BE MINE!
If you're interested, I made all of my photos publicly viewable on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10102697219397608.1073741856.10713297&type=1&l=32fdb66429
If you're interested, I made all of my photos publicly viewable on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10102697219397608.1073741856.10713297&type=1&l=32fdb66429
Looks terrible, great job!
All PNW climber/skiers should have a tale of woe about a trip to Colchuck lake in the winter. I remember a cold wet bivi below the lake with a broken binding but at least we were able to skin some despite giving up on our climbing objective. The conditions you experienced had the most potential for being demoralizing that I've seen, highly impressive! ;)
All PNW climber/skiers should have a tale of woe about a trip to Colchuck lake in the winter. I remember a cold wet bivi below the lake with a broken binding but at least we were able to skin some despite giving up on our climbing objective. The conditions you experienced had the most potential for being demoralizing that I've seen, highly impressive! ;)
nice one! Looks like skiing that in winter is better than in late summer ;)
The views are always amazing though
The views are always amazing though
wow that mountain is naked! thanks for the update.
Wow, now that was an impressive show of willpower. You would have thought conditions would have improved somewhere over those 18 miles! I think the forest shot with the crampon pokes is absolutely hilarious.
author=wolfs link=topic=30279.msg126737#msg126737 date=1389230829">
Lasiocarpa is this? At least so I read in the Tabor guide.
PS it's tempting to create "The Angry Skier" as a troll account over on NWH and rant on and on about those poodles ...
thanks wolfs - the ridge is a beautiful place to be on a clear day for sure, well worth the skin out....
Even more remarkable than the poodles is that shot of Shuksan. So pretty up there when it's clear.
Cumulus, we met the previous weekend on Baker. How was that last run you guys made? It looked like you were working hard on the boot up?
The day before we met, my partner and I also ran into the poodles. It was a very surreal moment as the two shaved dogs appeared out of the fog. My partner and I were completely speechless.
Nicely done getting back to Baker in better conditions!
The day before we met, my partner and I also ran into the poodles. It was a very surreal moment as the two shaved dogs appeared out of the fog. My partner and I were completely speechless.
Nicely done getting back to Baker in better conditions!
Nice pix (here and there). I've never made it any further that ways than the approx. center of the Wells drainage, need to make it all the way out on the ridge someday. Gives a good vantage.
Lasiocarpa is this? At least so I read in the Tabor guide.
PS it's tempting to create "The Angry Skier" as a troll account over on NWH and rant on and on about those poodles ...
Lasiocarpa is this? At least so I read in the Tabor guide.
PS it's tempting to create "The Angry Skier" as a troll account over on NWH and rant on and on about those poodles ...
Looks like a "juicy" area to return to with some more snow. Thanks for the post!
I finally did manage to make a follow-up visit in early January 2014, just before the much-belated first major week-long winter storm cycle of the 2013-14 season arrived, bringing several more feet of snowfall at the 8000 ft elevation.
January 5, 2014:
Unfortunately, there was very little evidence left of the July avalanche, only a pronounced dip in the surface of the glacier extending across several tens of meters with a maximum depth of a few meters, and a short s...
January 5, 2014:
Unfortunately, there was very little evidence left of the July avalanche, only a pronounced dip in the surface of the glacier extending across several tens of meters with a maximum depth of a few meters, and a short s...
Kristina! what a wonderful trip report and adventure...thanks for sharing and reminding me of how i still appreciate getting worked with the questionable outcome...i love your spirit and ability to thrive outside of your comfort zone!
thanks to whoever posted the High Sierra skate video...simple, playful and unique...
thanks to whoever posted the High Sierra skate video...simple, playful and unique...
Or worse if Ilia forgot the chains to his Fit, we might not have made that last 300 feet between putting them on and turning the corner to realize we were already at the parking lot.
Most excellent ! It truly is a great route. Nice chatting with you all.
Thanks !
Thanks !