TR Replies
This is TR might have set the record for most words about Silver Peak, good job! And not a single mention of the condition of FS-9070, to boot...
An easier ascent route is to follow the road network to its bitter end then latch on to the obvious skin track up the western bowl. Getting to the actual summit does require more work but it's not that terrible, esp. when there's still snow on the Annette Lake side. Many folks ski down towards (sometimes all the way to) Annette then hike bac...
Thanks for the report. I have been told that I skied the Pilchuck area with my dad as a youngin. Can't claim to remember it. It's been long enough since I toured up there that I can barely remember. I don't have an ebike, but I might just pedal up there (when there is proper corn) to refresh my memory.
Thanks for the great post. Even with the swamp, it has inspired me to get up there at the next weather window before it is too late. Silver has a lot to offer and is so close to town. And apparently, all you really need to ski it is a good pair of socks!
Well, isn't this an exciting topic? I've been eagerly awaiting the trip reports as much as anyone else! It's always fascinating to read about others' adventures and experiences. Whether it's exploring new destinations, trying out local cuisine, or embarking on thrilling activities, trip reports never fail to inspire wanderlust and spark curiosity. Plus, they provide valuable insights and tips for fellow travellers. So, let's keep our eyes peeled for those trip reports and get ready to embark...
In previous years we have always skied directly up the left side of clear cut from Windy Pass instead of following the road. This year we found that the previously small Christmas trees have grown up and are now very difficult to navigate mid-way up the clearcut. We will be sticking to the road in the future.
Here are a few images from our venture.
Whoa, thank you so much for this report! This is an inspiration for me! We happened to be in the same general area the next day after the big cold storm. We went towards Lamarck col from below North Lake and it was a cold windy winter day. Glad that you didn’t ski through hot pow!
That's gotta be my favorite climbing route up Tahoma, what a cool position. Skiing down, the best snow top to bottom I've ever had on the big volcano. Rock scramble looks a bit spicy right now
@voldemort it certainly does!
Another year, another line! It takes a pretty big mountain to make terrain like the Gib Chute look small.
Some fine country and fantastic looking snow. Thanks for sharing
Go for it plenty of snow, skied near 3 way yesterday excellent boot top windblown powder.Today off threeway great, into crystal lakes coming out not bad but from landing strip down to base grabby ass hell.
Hi Ava, skiing down all the way to Cheakamus Lake would probably only make sense mid-winter on a massive season. But I did spot some incredible and likely very rarely skied lines off the back of Whirlwind, Angelo and Cheakamus Mountain. There’s definitely some huge descents and lots of adventure to be had in the zone!
Nice job and great write up. There is obviously lots more to do besides the big traverse underneath all that overhead danger. I should go out next year a few times and see where I can get on some out and backs. Do you think the ski down towards Cheakamus Lake would be worthwhile very often? I’m a sucker for long descents!
Thanks for the report! I'm planning for Little Annapurna and dragon tail overnight next weekend. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but I believe enchantment overnight permit season doesn't begin until May 15th.
Thanks for posting
Thanks Kyle, I had no idea about the Gold Creek thing. Just shared it with the local paragliding community as well, as it represents a pretty significant threat to Rampart, one of the best flying sites in the country IMO. The most important things for the Forest Service to hear about this are 1) a route into/out of the valley needs to be kept open which goes around the construction zone; and 2) helicopter use needs to be eliminated or minimized and kept to specific time slots which are commun...
Hey mgoowdin, we got the button fixed. Thanks for letting us know about that!
Hi mgoodwin,
The long and the short of it is that these groups are in line to do it because they made the proposals all around the same time (roughly 2019 I think). That's it! If a nonprofit group were to try, I'd guess the FS would consider it like these proposals.
Please comment
Kyle,
Thanks for posting. Went to hit the comment button and...... nothing. I am supportive of equitably expanding access but this seems like expanding access to a select few on public lands. How is it these companies / groups come to be in line to place huts versus other groups?
Nice! Always wanted to do that traverse on skis. Have only done in summer. Such beautiful country.
Quality write up and pics! Thanks for taking the time to share your adventure with us. Awesome objective and decision making.
Damn, this made me so stoked for you. Incredible trip and really appreciate your insight to your thought process. Congrats!
Legendary. I was staring at that couloir the whole day climbing NE buttress last summer. Cool send.
thx for explaining your decision making process, rad trip nonetheless!
Yeah it seems like at least if you can get enough glide to cross the cirque, going up the right side would work out barring any crevasse issues.
Thanks for a report from a cool zone
When I went over Ruth to Icy (later season a few years back) that glacier looked so gnar!
Understood, Kamtron - we felt as though there was pretty minimal overhead exposure skinning up the (climber's) right hand side of the Nooksack - you're out from below the icefall further left, and there's not much in the way of cornices or similar features. To me, that seems less intimidating then trying to find a way down the Nooksack headwall without being able to see it - one
Skinning up the Nooksack glacier with all those cornices above you sounds... scary. I think that's why everyone goes the other way, to minimize exposure time and maximize gliding
Good decision making, 2 plums plucked
I'm the proud owner of the Moonbike in question. I plan on doing a full review of the Moonbike as a backcountry skiing tool once the "snow covered roads" phase of the ski season is winding down. It will be available on my blog safesexandgoretex.com, so check in there around April or May.
Until then, here are my thoughts. I primarily use this as a single rider when I am skiing solo, or towing another person behind...
I think if you're really wanting to earn it that bad, go back and do it again without any tracks. But really, it's good to just appreciate that you made it down a very serious line without any mishaps in probably as good dry snow conditions as you will ever get! Take that for what it is. That desire to push further can get you into some fun lines, but it can also lead to the kinds of situations we all want to avoid
Thanks Doug! Unfortunately Red Bull hasn't come knocking, although I did make $50 from skiing this year, so my childhood dream of becoming a pro skier was finally realized.
Amazing skiing, snow, and footage as usual Tim, my legs got tired watching these vids, those lines are bigly.
Red Bull, the North Face, Salomon, someone - sponsor this guy!
We skied the main vein and then down silver creek to a camp at gold on Saturday the second! We attempted Alaska mtn south face but turned around and skied Alaska lake drainage for fear of avalanche. We crossed your skinner on the bottom of Alaska and couldn’t believe it! Props! Y’all were waaay out there!
Wow! way to cover a ton of ground! thanks for posting the report.
yeah what Ryan said.
that line is sweet! you scored good conditions; when (coincidentally) Ryan (sorry bud) and I skied it years ago, there was a short section of sp-icy downclimbing, made spicier by some poor equipment decisions at the car...
thx for the report, good to see the snowpack is more robust up high--might bode well for bigger and higher lines this spring.
Things look surprisingly fat on the upper mountain, thanks for the report! It almost seemed casual.....