TR Replies
author=kam link=topic=25561.msg107996#msg107996 date=1346044971">
Anyway, being the law abiding citizens we were, we found an alternative and still managed to get in our August turns.
author=JPH link=topic=25561.msg108002#msg108002 date=1346080937">
I guess they're trying to keep the skiers from trampling all the beautiful vegetation between the trail and the snow...
Kam,...
author=kam link=topic=25561.msg107996#msg107996 date=1346044971]
About 1.3 miles up the trail, we ran into this annoying sign keeping us from our straight August dope -- so close yet so far!:
I guess they're trying to keep the skiers from trampling all the beautiful vegetation between the trail and the snow...
They charge extra for the pork-intestine flavor in Asia. Way to keep the dream alive, Kam.
UPDATE: FOUND SHOES! I went back up to ski Mount Baker again and retrieve my lost shoes 5 days later, see August 25, 2012, Mt Baker, Easton & Squak Glaciers. Somewhat surprisingly, the shoes were still at 9600 ft where I had left them, someone (or something) had moved them a few feet apart, but they were otherwise undamaged and still appear to have some life left in them, more than I t...
Thanks for the report! Love that first pic!!
They're my sons 2009 vintage Kilowatts
Thanks for the detailed description of the snowfield conditions.
Thanks - what's the BD ski on the pack in the first pic?
author=SteveS link=topic=25553.msg107964#msg107964 date=1345872781]
Ok, admittedly more hiking than skiing.... but the wild flowers were also in peak bloom, and there were no bugs (!!).
more pics
Amar, You really inspire.
I'm hoping to hit Baker or some volcano on Labor day. Hope it all holds together until then.
Thanks for the excellent beta and motivation.
I'm hoping to hit Baker or some volcano on Labor day. Hope it all holds together until then.
Thanks for the excellent beta and motivation.
Nice slideshow, Andy! You always hike with the hot chicks!
Great pics. Just curious -- from where you were, did it look there was enough snow coverage above Pebble Creek to get a decent run in from Camp Muir? Thanks!
author=mikerolfs link=topic=25542.msg107936#msg107936 date=1345663929]
Is there some kind of clothing agreement struck in the parking lot before a trip with Amar?
Always. For each layer Amar wears off the summit, we take one off. Looks like it was colder than expected on this trip because Kyle really had to strip down.
Three-packs of baby marmots rule.
http://www.randosaigai.com/paradise081912_0273.jpg
http://www.randosaigai.com/paradise081912_0273.jpg
author=Amar Andalkar link=topic=25542.msg107938#msg107938 date=1345666865]
At least he was wearing his climbing harness.
I did notice the harness :)
author=mikerolfs link=topic=25542.msg107936#msg107936 date=1345663929]
Is there some kind of clothing agreement struck in the parking lot before a trip with Amar?
No. Kyle's clothing choices were made on the summit despite my strong objections. At least he was wearing his climbing harness.
Is there some kind of clothing agreement struck in the parking lot before a trip with Amar?
Hey Amar - don't bank on it. I left my gloves on a rock after skiing Avalanche Glacier headwall a few years ago if you recall. Went back with Ian a couple of days later and they were gone. We stopped in an area that was way out of the way for people(as it was to take some pics), so we assumed a goat took them. Granted your shoes are pretty high up on the mountain, but it's possible a goat (or other animal), may have an appetite to chew on some leather. Good luck tho.
author=Atraslin link=topic=25542.msg107928#msg107928 date=1345612258]
I haven't skied August yet.I would like to ski a different route. Do you have any beta for the drive to the trailhead.
The road is in good shape, driveable in most low-clearance cars, although there are some large potholes and rolls on the last few miles. Directions to the Schriebers Meadow trailhead are here:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbs/recreat...
Thanks to knitvt and Atomic for shaking off the doldrums of the uninspiring forecast and getting us up into the great sunshine and excellent scenery.
Actually remembering to re-apply sunscreen was a great bonus so no harshness after the fact this time.
No question that this year's extra snow makes it really easy to get to where you start skiing. We skied down off the hump right at the start of Ptarmigan Ridge so that's probably just over a mile and almost no...
Actually remembering to re-apply sunscreen was a great bonus so no harshness after the fact this time.
No question that this year's extra snow makes it really easy to get to where you start skiing. We skied down off the hump right at the start of Ptarmigan Ridge so that's probably just over a mile and almost no...
Amar! You are definitely the "Emeritus" of the Cascade Volcanoes! Way to seek out the goods, and those windows of opportunity! Without you TR's, our "Emmons Summit Attempt" in June would not have been possible! I plan on doing way, way more; just because of the information you, and other TAY awesome people, provide so generously!! Thanks! In all, you're TR's are about the best I have seen! Keep er' going, my friend!
I haven't skied August yet.I would like to ski a different route. Do you have any beta for the drive to the trailhead.
WOW! Nice pics! Way to get the goods! I am gonna have to get up there one of these years and check out the main Selkirks some more!!! A few years ago, I skied up out of Balfour, and was really impressed with the peaks north of Kokanee. Such a big North American Range! Lots of sub-ranges, and they sure get hammered with snow and usually with great conditions. Sure looks bigger and snowier than the American Selkirks; in which I tear up regularly down in the Idaho Panhandle. Seems like the access i...
That looks like some very fine skiing for this time of year. 2 hour hike even.
Nice trip.
You've help me the remember that the worst bout I ever had with mosquitos was on that trip as well. They seem to be plentiful, healthy, hungry and mean on that side of the mountain.
You've help me the remember that the worst bout I ever had with mosquitos was on that trip as well. They seem to be plentiful, healthy, hungry and mean on that side of the mountain.
A couple more pics ...
Climbing the Russell Glacier:
Making turns back down:
Climbing the Russell Glacier:
Making turns back down:
Quite a bit different from July 28, but still doable, nice!
Awesome, I might have to head up there for some turns in the near future
Nice photo. Those mosquitoes are legendary.
Best birthday party ever! Thanks everyone. Great video, Carl.
author=silaswild link=topic=25533.msg107901#msg107901 date=1345402083]
It is great that there is so much variety available in August, we are fortunate to live in the best place in the world for year round fine skiing.
Totally agree with that.
Thanks for the info, I may head up the Easton this week for variety. Looks like that finger of skiable snow down to 5300 ft at the Easton Glacier terminus might get quite discontin...
author=Amar Andalkar link=topic=25533.msg107897#msg107897 date=1345356009]
Silas, I'm curious as to why you and your group are choosing to ski the Easton instead of the Squak...the views from the Railroad Grade are better than anything on the Squak side.
Looks like you answered your own question? :)
On this day and last week, there was very little horse poop on the trail, and only at the start, stream crossing is b...
Bummed I couldn't go Silas, looked like a blast. I took the gf up to Muir and gave her, her first experience of life at Muir and a bit past. She made it to 10700 before she got tired and I felt it was safer to turn around then. Was cool to get her on Cathedrial gap and have her skip over a few crevasses!
I'll see you out next month for sure so I can get my 7th month in a row.
On a side note, I did meet Hannah which is cool since I've read about her and Amar&#...
I'll see you out next month for sure so I can get my 7th month in a row.
On a side note, I did meet Hannah which is cool since I've read about her and Amar&#...
Some video and photo's from the day...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBUKmdfESkc&feature=colike
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.514406491909961.135676.100000218445455&type=1&l=214f36b314
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBUKmdfESkc&feature=colike
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.514406491909961.135676.100000218445455&type=1&l=214f36b314
Wow, that's quite a crevasse slalom.
Silas, I'm curious as to why you and your group are choosing to ski the Easton (twice in one week) instead of the Squak. The Squak route currently (and almost always by midsummer) has continuous snow down to a lower elevation than the Easton, and right now the crevasses are not an issue, much better and safer than the Easton based on your photos and what I could see looking down towards the Easton route. There is nothing as bad as the ph...
Silas, I'm curious as to why you and your group are choosing to ski the Easton (twice in one week) instead of the Squak. The Squak route currently (and almost always by midsummer) has continuous snow down to a lower elevation than the Easton, and right now the crevasses are not an issue, much better and safer than the Easton based on your photos and what I could see looking down towards the Easton route. There is nothing as bad as the ph...
Great trip; great to see the rippers in action. Here's another angle of the tricky spot.
I realized later that I had skied the Squak Glacier on almost exactly the same date in both 2011 and 2010 also. Snow coverage on the same date in 2010 was very similar to this year (continuous skiable snow down to 5200 ft in that glacial stream drainage), and ski conditions / snow smoothness were similarly excellent. In 2011, snow coverage was much greater in mid-August, everywhere from up on Grant Peak (fully snowcovered) down well below treeline (continuous skiable snow down to 4500 ft and bel...
Another great report Amar! I don't know how you keep it up :) Thanks for answering my question on the other report. I'm going solo tomorrow, so I think it's best to head up to Heliotrope, where I've been once before and can ask climber's questions. I was going to camp at Crag View and try and get up to that crux crevasse at 8800 ft, but better I go where I can't get lost ::)
Thanks for the report, I appreciate the useful details. Very helpful for planning my revisit to the Squak a few days later.
Based on your report of minimal snow along the ridge above the 4600 ft saddle, we decided to take the late summer approach instead, which stays on the Scott Paul Trail for almost a mile past the saddle, then goes up a moraine just before the first glacial river crossing near 5000 ft. Reached continuous skiable snow at 5150 ft that way, following the valley of tha...
Based on your report of minimal snow along the ridge above the 4600 ft saddle, we decided to take the late summer approach instead, which stays on the Scott Paul Trail for almost a mile past the saddle, then goes up a moraine just before the first glacial river crossing near 5000 ft. Reached continuous skiable snow at 5150 ft that way, following the valley of tha...
You guys just missed us, we were up the August 4-6th enjoying the Canadian Long weekend. We had a nice relaxing weekend which included a gorgeous sunset from the top of Hannegan Peak on the Satruday night, a casual ascent and
ski off summit of ruth Sunday (followed by chilling in the shade into the evening and enjoying the rest of our food and fully stocked bar) and a good hike out on Monday.
The Ruth central gully was melted out to gray/blue glacier ice when we arrived on the 4...
ski off summit of ruth Sunday (followed by chilling in the shade into the evening and enjoying the rest of our food and fully stocked bar) and a good hike out on Monday.
The Ruth central gully was melted out to gray/blue glacier ice when we arrived on the 4...
Just enquiring, is there a sign marking the climbers trail off the Scott Paul? Do you leave the Scott Paul right at the col? Is there an obvious boot pack if not? Thanks in advance!
author=jhamaker link=topic=25483.msg107827#msg107827 date=1344916382]
Eight skiers descended on the Winthrop Gl. last wk-end to see if Amar's promisses still held true.
Thanks for the updated report from the following weekend, it's interesting to see how the route held up and also how conditions changed. By the way, I make no promises in my trip reports -- I just try to report current conditions as accurately as possible...
I can't believe I'm asking/considering - but did you notice if the snowfields between Cowlitz Pass and Cowlitz Gl. toe were skiable?
Looking good fellas, I'm glad that you got out.
That slope next to the icefalls looks to be in pretty good shape right now. I imagine that a few weeks ago one could have skied it down to the terminus.
That slope next to the icefalls looks to be in pretty good shape right now. I imagine that a few weeks ago one could have skied it down to the terminus.
author=jhamaker link=topic=25483.msg107827#msg107827 date=1344916382]
Sam the Man and Pete? showed the way down this wk-end.
Not quite James... you and I first met once skiing with Sam but it was Tom B and I that you are thinking of.
Anyway, it was good to run into you and we were glad to watch you make use of our exit route as we packed up at Camp Sherman. Who would have thought that we would ski the entire decent with only on...