TR Replies
Thanks for the report. Would you mind clarifying a bit? You say you wish you had crampons, but then got face shots. Was it only crunchy in the lowest trees? Was it because the new snow was really low density and dissolving underneath you? Thanks!
Quite the experience John. Glad you and Scott made it out safely.
pretty much the same on the chair/bryant side, some goods were found, pretty variable dust on crust to 10"+ in spots. Anything steep had big debris piles at the bottom
i think this is all an elaborate ruse to keep the herds from tracking up the slot couloir this weekend..... oh, and the whole kendall area is also probably really crappy too.
Thanks for the report. I just commented the conditions were very similar in bounds as well. Agreed that the weekend does not look as good as it once was. Also agree that some bonding and/or melting of the ice layer would be nice. Maybe too cold???
author=jdclimber link=topic=26931.msg113513#msg113513 date=1357857625]
Went up with the intention to ski the Slot. 4-8 inches of nice light snow on manky crusty. Bonding was poor, but upper layer had no cohesion at the moment, so no real avy danger other than light sluff and plenty of that.
Hard going, sidehilling on even a gentle slope caused fresh to slide out and ski and skin to chatter. Switched to postholing for last ~1000 ft. Went about 10 steps do...
Here's a picture of Phoebes I took in the spring of 2008. One of my favorite photo's ever.
Love the trip report. My Dad (65 years old) has been going up to Priest lake since he was 3 years old and he and I have hiked through hordes of skeeters to to the top of both the tit and the nipple in summer. I have dreamed of heading up there in the winter sometime to do some skiing -- logging roads cover every conceivable mountain in Idaho - at least on the East side of Priest so a sled opens up pretty much all the terrain. A partner, more time, and access to a sled and I...
Hey Matt,
I'm living in Spokane this year and while I don't have a sled I got some strong trail breaking legs. Let me know if you ever need a partner.
-kevin
I'm living in Spokane this year and while I don't have a sled I got some strong trail breaking legs. Let me know if you ever need a partner.
-kevin
author=mccallboater link=topic=26867.msg113258#msg113258 date=1357532879]
Good skiing to be had up there, and around the old Continental Mine also. The old mine road used to be a wonderful 2-4% grade up from the Bonners side. I wonder what shape it's in? The old mine buildings arn't located in the best place for turns, and are very cold, but worth a visit.
You wanna play tour guide, and show us the goods?
Thanks for the useful info Lowell regarding the improvised picket. I don't think I would have trusted a deadman or pickett in that snow.
And yes, I like to think there were guardian angels working overtime that night. Thanks for the good sentiment.
And yes, I like to think there were guardian angels working overtime that night. Thanks for the good sentiment.
Nice guys! Way to kill it! Sometimes, that is also my credo, " Turn or Burn!" Hope the new splitboard is a coming!
These days I seem to hear of hardmen/women using nylon stuff sacks filled with snow, girth hitched, and deadmanned. Light, pack down small, but leave a bit more litter on the mountain. That said, I like the 1X4 prototype Lowell!
Nice work on the descent! I love how something I consider a good tick on my climbing resume is "just" a ski to some other folks.
Nice work on the descent! I love how something I consider a good tick on my climbing resume is "just" a ski to some other folks.
author=jwplotz link=topic=26890.msg113456#msg113456 date=1357785540">
The rest of the story...
Thanks for that.
About bollards ... I wonder if something like this would have worked better:
I made a few of these anchors for times when you need to rappel over a cornice or something and no other anchors are available. I haven't actu...
Holy shit! You guys are fukn nuts. Glad you both made it out in one piece. Remind me never to attempt that line...especially in the dark
The rest of the story...
This is Scott's first summit of Dragontail. He's been close, but never touched the top. We left the car at Bridge Creek CG at the late hour of 6am. It's nearly 4pm and the light is waning in the gloomy overcast.
We snap a couple shots and click into the planks to make the first couple exposed turns just below the summit to the exit notch of the Triple Couloirs. However, for us it will be our entrance notch. I look down the 3rd...
This is Scott's first summit of Dragontail. He's been close, but never touched the top. We left the car at Bridge Creek CG at the late hour of 6am. It's nearly 4pm and the light is waning in the gloomy overcast.
We snap a couple shots and click into the planks to make the first couple exposed turns just below the summit to the exit notch of the Triple Couloirs. However, for us it will be our entrance notch. I look down the 3rd...
author=jwplotz link=topic=26890.msg113437#msg113437 date=1357745663]
That being said, I was surprised to find a lot fewer fixed anchors in the runnels.
Thanks for the clarification.
I think most climbers look for well-iced conditions to climb the Triple Couloirs. And most of them probably either turn back below the narrows or they are successful at climbing through. So there aren't going to be many bailout anchors...
Very cool! What a fantastic area, with tons of exploration potential, so close to the big city. There is a photo of the "Kendall adventure zone" floating around that names all the various lines shown in Dan's summer picture.
Awesome, just awesome! What an incredible looking line and my resolve to return has been restoked after a broken binding on my friend's ski turned last season's attempt in to a long approach scouting mission.
I want to post again just because. So glad to live in an area where stuff like this happens. Thanks you two.
Looking forward to a full write up as well
This is definitely legendary!
I'm interested in the psychology of saying the day before that you would never ski that line, and then suddenly doing it and in very adventurous conditions ;)
I can feel the adrenaline rise like a tide that brings you into circumstances you wouldn't have dreamed of--it must have felt other worldly at times, at least in the sense that you were doing something spectacular and u...
This is definitely legendary!
I'm interested in the psychology of saying the day before that you would never ski that line, and then suddenly doing it and in very adventurous conditions ;)
I can feel the adrenaline rise like a tide that brings you into circumstances you wouldn't have dreamed of--it must have felt other worldly at times, at least in the sense that you were doing something spectacular and u...
Scott and I certainly knew we'd need my pro to rap the runnels and possibly the transition from the 3rd couloir to the 2nd couloir. We just kept it in the back of our minds from the outset that we may not even get to ski the TC's at all, and not even touch the rope and rack.
That being said, I was surprised to find a lot fewer fixed anchors in the runnels.
That being said, I was surprised to find a lot fewer fixed anchors in the runnels.
Hers a short video of the day
https://vimeo.com/57044031
https://vimeo.com/57044031
author=jwplotz link=topic=26890.msg113296#msg113296 date=1357589386]We thought we would be taking the rope and small rack of my booty cams and stoppers, plus an assortment of pitons, mostly smaller lost arrows, for a hike and they would never see a crack. But oh were we wrong...
Just trying to understand what you wrote here...
When you started down the couloir, did you expect the route to be snow-filled, so you wouldn'...
I was in the same vicinity on 1/6 and like you saw no reason for concern. Amazing how much things can change overnight.
author=Forest McBrian link=topic=26798.msg113403#msg113403 date=1357684703]
Dan--
That is the Kendall Adventure Zone!
Ha! I love that name. The Adventure Zone! I need some adventure.
Wow, well done. The TR is sort of like a preview for the cinema... Gnarball
Dan--
That is the Kendall Adventure Zone! All of those are great lines, and it's a reasonable day outing from the pass. Or you can camp out and collect them all...Super fun!
F
That is the Kendall Adventure Zone! All of those are great lines, and it's a reasonable day outing from the pass. Or you can camp out and collect them all...Super fun!
F
Nice work Dustin and co! Strong work.
those runnel rappels sound a hair bit nerve racking... commited/ment ambiguity indeed... y'all deserve some bluebird powder cruising!
glad you're both still around for another round
I was wondering about that! Glad they're hanging in for you... Got your money's worth out of them ;)
Erin, speaking of Couloirs, Have the two of you ever skied any of these lines I spied with my wife this summer? I believe your tour through silver creak basin took you under these.
ps..
Those are the boots Marcus gave me a couple years ago.. could use some new liners, but still kickin! Thanks.
Those are the boots Marcus gave me a couple years ago.. could use some new liners, but still kickin! Thanks.
this is the best I could do with my phone.
some people have a problem with commitment, some people should be committed. your choice here. John trusting my snowbollard building skills.
skiing the crux of the second
bollard number 1 with a boot ax backup..
some people have a problem with commitment, some people should be committed. your choice here. John trusting my snowbollard building skills.
skiing the crux of the second
bollard number 1 with a boot ax backup..
This couloir was made for skiing! Full trip report and more photos here: http://erinsmart.com/blog/
Timely! Thanks!
Think ill smoke some meat today... canadian bacon, and a brined bird, inspired by the Jessels. Everytime I see raw poultry, I think of you two.
Think ill smoke some meat today... canadian bacon, and a brined bird, inspired by the Jessels. Everytime I see raw poultry, I think of you two.
Great write up and photo guys! What a treat for a midwinter day. Love the photos as usuall. Not so bitter that I didnt go to canada now.
Thanks ryan, but this trip was all leyland's doing. My contribution was only navigating all of a mile or two through mountaineers creek.
Funny video. From the tr, it Sounds like they skied the couloir we where looking at on the way up? It had a cool window at the top.
Thanks ryan, but this trip was all leyland's doing. My contribution was only navigating all of a mile or two through mountaineers creek.
Funny video. From the tr, it Sounds like they skied the couloir we where looking at on the way up? It had a cool window at the top.
Wow is right! John, I don't know how you had the mental energy to write this yesterday! I'm still kinda fried and processing it all.
Thank you very much for having me along. It was a pleasure to get out with you again after last years hiatuse. Even if only a day before I was telling the guys I would NEVER ride that line. Would not have attempted it without you.
Re the story.. not everything that happens is physical. A lot of what happened had more to do with words...
Thank you very much for having me along. It was a pleasure to get out with you again after last years hiatuse. Even if only a day before I was telling the guys I would NEVER ride that line. Would not have attempted it without you.
Re the story.. not everything that happens is physical. A lot of what happened had more to do with words...
What a great adventure, I' ve always been impressed with guys tackling this and the Hanging Glacier up on Shuksan.
Don
Don
What a great way to start your kid skiing the backcountry. My son came alone on a far amount of ski days through his Jr. High and High school years. Now he lives in LA and loves to surf with his wife
Don
Don
Rusty
I forgot to bring my tripod so everything was shot from a mini pod mounted to one of my ski poles. I was wondering if someone would notice and call me out on the one pole.
Don
I forgot to bring my tripod so everything was shot from a mini pod mounted to one of my ski poles. I was wondering if someone would notice and call me out on the one pole.
Don
I thought you guys were trouble by yourselves, it's double trouble when you are together! Nice work.......crazy, but nice work! thanks.
author=lrudholm link=topic=26890.msg113300#msg113300 date=1357591419]
Congratulations and FKNA doing it in the dark. Is that a first snowboard descent?
It may be of all 3 couloirs. 'Steepy' rode the NW Face variation that Dan Helmsradter, Will Terrano and I skied in 3/2010, which avoids the 2nd couloir.
So sweet, what a happy looking kid!
As the father of a 2.5 year-old boy, I am inspired by your report.
As the father of a 2.5 year-old boy, I am inspired by your report.
Congratulations on the safe and careful completion of a route known for its aesthetics and danger. Great accomplishment rewarding your strength and experience.
author=glenn_b link=topic=26881.msg113294#msg113294 date=1357587106]
Pretty much. If there's a base, most anything goes. A favorite tour is up Umtanum Ridge from just west of the Umtanum Falls trailhead on the old Ellensburg/Wenas road. You can tour up to the 4224' high point on the ridge for a nice view.
Awesome! Snowpack permitting, sounds like you've got it made over there.
It'd be great to s...