TR Replies
Fresh snow the last couple of days, made for nice turns from 4,000’ to 4,800’ all across the Basin. Deep enough for touring lower angled meadows with small rock and dirt base. It was still soft at the end of the day, but it was warming. My guess is that spots that haven't seen any sun will still be good tomorrow morning. If there isn't a snow refresh Friday night, soft conditions will not last for long.
Nice, you got what you've been asking for, @avajane : )
Was the pow on the lighter side this time?
Nice Tim. Liked the decisive weasel/marten encounter!
Just want to add that we were in the trees below Guye on Sunday (no log crossing btw...) and I felt rather uncomfortable and kept a watchful eye above us... lots of steep, often hidden overhead avi potential there--somewhat akin to the ridge above the Kendall glades.
Because of that I would not recommend it as an alternative to the Kendall trees...especially not on high avi days which is when a lot of skiers go to Kendall tre...
@kamtron - proof that you don´t need to go very far (or even very high) to have a big adventure!
@mtnpavlas - my observations about yesterday´s snow conditions are in the report, but anything I wrote re: stability is already outdated/irrelevant thanks to yet another storm.
Gnarly route to solo
I skied that once, in waist-deep but stable conditions. I dropped in after a few others had skied and tucked away right. It was so deep that my Dynafit radicals prereleased with my ski buried in the snow. I came to a stop and had to tunnel uphill and probe for the missing ski using my ski pole. Fun times.
I have ascended that route. Now it does not feel like a "climb" anymore!!! : ) good job!
Dang, great workout. Can you share any stability observations? Curious what the snowpack is doing as it keeps getting added onto. Thank you!
Hey @avajane your kick turns were looking good by the summit, even in some steep and deep spots! Thanks for having me along.
I just chickened out today. NW Avy forecast spoke too directly to me this morning.
Avy Danger High
Large avalanches as low as 4500’
Potential wind issues creating slabs
Lots more snow load
Potential for overhead danger from dry point avalanches on steeper terrain
Also alone, instead of with a Avy Pro with a really good kick turn😄
The pickles make the trip! And next time I definitely need to bring more beer, some group members forgot their 11 essentials 🤦 😜
Tomorrow I come back with the Hellbents! We just had the wrong skis. It was frustrating to have that much good snow be almost unskiable because of depth, but it was beautiful up high.
Our whole problem today was the snow is too deep.
Avalanche hazard was Considerable. @Avajane and I were new partners. Staying on <=30° slopes today was prudent but we paid the price.
From the trailhead to 3000' we encountered, as expected, rain crust over a few inches of rotten snow, weeds, rocks, stumps and dirt. Just above 3000' the crust quickly vanished a...
I like the photo. I think taking "out the trees" will take it in even "better".😉
Nice TR and photos, especially the "Taking the position" plus the "Kosher Dills".😃
Thanks for the report. You have been very busy. About time you got over here. Things should be just about right. Message me.
With lower freezing levels and a bunch more snow in the forecast, much of the east side may be coming into its own. My spots have enough base up high, and the lower elevations are almost there. Top to bottom turns next week. I’ll be up at Kings Ridge and the pass, and if the snow really comes down, looking to explore new ridgelines Ive been looking at. Message me if you have some time next week.
Nice thorough report, right down to the required beer for the kicker! I would need more...😄
"...digging yourself out of the typical PNW Cascade concrete cost you more calories than the skinning all day"
😂
Ha, thanks for the tip, @avajane, will ping you for deets if you're willing to share : )
Love that backcountry powder turn! Thanks for the report. You can also sometimes come east when the avy danger is high. This is one of those times...
Very often. Its a short season there. But those good turns were less than 3500’ today. I still haven't skied the lower steep part this year, however.
I’ll second that below 3500’ is kinda fucked.
It was. All you have to do is put in 10-20 bad days and you get one like this🤪. Or if you see my reports and are flexible you can do a little better - but its tough. Freezing Fog is real!😡😳
Finally you got your pow! Looks like a beautiful day!
Wild exposure on that second pic. Wearing a surgical mask in the gnar is the look of 2020.
Even down low it was quite good sparkly fast pow!
Will demand more shrubs, Jake. Have to get lower than the parking lot at Baker I guess. I will also demand more tea.
We always called it "Thunder" mountain rather than "Avalanche". A couple people have been avalanched on that thing, though.
Really cool photos. Those layered rock strata really distinguish the "rocky" mountains from the rest. Quite the line you scored!
Holy moly great shots! Haven't seen photos of the area from this time of year.
I skied in the central cascades, as I said, and I post pertinent information if there is any that should be posted (avy danger, crazy overrun trailhead, closed signs, etc.). I also make abundant Nwac observations and the occasional cascade climbers post.
I get quite a bit of joy just seeing pictures of others skiing without knowing exactly where it is. Now, if that’s not how others feel about my posts, I’m happy to not post them. I don’t post where exactly I was skii...
Lovely photos. I so want to travel! Thanks for posting.
Thanks for the pictures Anthony. I know you haven't been on TAY for long, so you may not realize that the intent of the Trip Report - is to give a quick, current Trip Report - about where you went, and the conditions you found. Its to share with, and to help others. Pretty much the same as the reports on the skinarea conditions people find.
TAY Trip Reports are also archived by location and date as well...Also to help people research, and be able to go back and see historical conditio...
Nice pow below treeline and icy windblasted above. Fortunately no "coral reef rime" this time.
Rad! the view south towards Bend looks amazing. How was the snow? Super wind affected and icy in the Broken Top bowl this week, but looks pretty good in your photos.