TR Replies
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...
I like how you compare the temperature to the icy conditions; and how it is safer to ski when it is not in hard conditions. I still have a photocopy of the Emmons/ Winthrop you did about 5 yrs ago. Have you skied Mt Mc Kinley before. The snowboarder Steve Koch did. -thanks
That looks great! Thanks for the fun report.
Yea it was pretty funny to see the little red buildings off in the distance. All the good corn goes to waste in the summer around that lodge anyway, someone needs to make the harvest 8)
Did you stop in and say hi to Ruedi? Sorry to poach your tenure? LOL.
You might want to check out the Mercury - I've had both the One PX and the One U on, and they both feel a bit soft (instep caves in under hard pressure).
author=gregL link=topic=25507.msg107836#msg107836 date=1344963453]
I'd try on the Vulcan before committing, Chris, they are fuh-rick-kin stiff.
That's what I heard......... going to compare them to the ONE as well as that's a boot I'm contemplating. Been following Lee's review's.
We left our skis at the pass and walked up the first day to check things out. Which turned out to be somewhat of a mistake as we missed them on the way down ):
Thanks for the TR from up north. Were you using some kind of short skis? I didn't see any stix on the pack in your photos. Cheers
author=Scotsman link=topic=25507.msg107818#msg107818 date=1344888016]
I wanted the new Vulcan boots instead.
I'd try on the Vulcan before committing, Chris, they are fuh-rick-kin stiff.
Great pictures! The one entitled "Oliver crossing between two crevasses" is my favorite ;-)
Thanks for the invite Mack, it was a fun day, well worth the long drive. :D
It was ironic to have the Paradise virtually to ourselves while watching the steady stream of humanity going up and down the Muir Snowfield...............
Here are a few pictures to add to your report.
1. Mack assuring me we are headed the right way in the face of clear evidence to the contrary..............
2. Mack climbing the Paradise with the Cowlitz Glacier Icef...
It was ironic to have the Paradise virtually to ourselves while watching the steady stream of humanity going up and down the Muir Snowfield...............
Here are a few pictures to add to your report.
1. Mack assuring me we are headed the right way in the face of clear evidence to the contrary..............
2. Mack climbing the Paradise with the Cowlitz Glacier Icef...
Eight skiers descended on the Winthrop Gl. last wk-end to see if Amar's promisses still held true.
It was a fun route. Sam the Man and Pete? showed the way down this wk-end. Ice and my curved tele skis don't go well together, so I walked down the upper half.
The crevasses are twice what they were reported from the wk previous. Suncups and ice runnels/ rime nodules were beggining to be an issue. I actually thought that some of the better ski...
It was a fun route. Sam the Man and Pete? showed the way down this wk-end. Ice and my curved tele skis don't go well together, so I walked down the upper half.
The crevasses are twice what they were reported from the wk previous. Suncups and ice runnels/ rime nodules were beggining to be an issue. I actually thought that some of the better ski...
author=saxybrian link=topic=25507.msg107817#msg107817 date=1344866804]
TLT5P's out of stock until winter skiing from Marmot Mtn Works :( I was going to get me a set too! :(
Oh well, off to Adams this next weekend to climb it for my first time and get to experience a summit with my gf, will be her first real mountain climb too!
Buy them here.
http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/en/dynafittlt5performance1213-...
TLT5P's out of stock until winter skiing from Marmot Mtn Works :( I was going to get me a set too! :(
Oh well, off to Adams this next weekend to climb it for my first time and get to experience a summit with my gf, will be her first real mountain climb too!
Oh well, off to Adams this next weekend to climb it for my first time and get to experience a summit with my gf, will be her first real mountain climb too!
Nice TR and pic's! My buddy Dave and I were up there earlier that day ourselves, in fact I believe the tracks on the Lower Flett in your last pic may be ours. We took the summer trail in and out, and regrettably skipped the Flett Headwall because our objective was to ski the Russell, and the patchy snow conditions make it hard to do both this time of year. Tiring, but beautiful hike both in and out and several carryovers between the Flett and Russell makes me think this tour is a bit past i...
Lowell,
That's amazing. I was actually telling everyone on the summit about how you saw smoke from China! I had read your post before and I am amazed that we are still being affected by that. The conversations on the summit were funny in a way. Everyone was speculating about possible "fires in Idaho, but that wouldn't affect here...." etc... and telling stories about "epic fires on Mt. Adams lasting an entire year, even through the wint...
That's amazing. I was actually telling everyone on the summit about how you saw smoke from China! I had read your post before and I am amazed that we are still being affected by that. The conversations on the summit were funny in a way. Everyone was speculating about possible "fires in Idaho, but that wouldn't affect here...." etc... and telling stories about "epic fires on Mt. Adams lasting an entire year, even through the wint...
author=danpeck link=topic=25517.msg107801#msg107801 date=1344798304">
However there is a lot of haze out there obscuring some of the view of the rest of the majestic North Cascades and beyond.
The haze is from Asian smoke, the same problem that affected my trip to Mt Baker a month ago. Cliff Mass has the goods: "This summer is...
Nice work! We were the party of three descending from the summit, we passed as you were ascending.
Strong work climbing up that face in the sun--it was hot for us even going down.
It is cool to find this TR with excellent pics of such a great day (and the night before climbing up by moonlight was really great too)
Anyway cheers and congratulations on your successful descents!
Strong work climbing up that face in the sun--it was hot for us even going down.
It is cool to find this TR with excellent pics of such a great day (and the night before climbing up by moonlight was really great too)
Anyway cheers and congratulations on your successful descents!
author=saxybrian link=topic=25507.msg107800#msg107800 date=1344782986]
The ski down was amazing. Silas gave me some pointers, took some videos and ended up almost convicing some guides that I would 'garage sale' down one of the spots, but needless to say I made it down to their dissatisfaction.
Just to set the record straight, while I was setting up near the AAI group to shoot Brian's descent, I told them he was pretty go...
author=saxybrian link=topic=25507.msg107800#msg107800 date=1344782986]
First off I'd like to add this is my first trip with a Turns member. This was amazing to get to go with Silas. Not only an amazing guy, but a great teacher and someone who's funny as hell.
Hi Brian - you've got to be a little more sparse with your praise - Silas is going to need a bigger hat. Good first TAY affiliated trip. It also shows you�...
Final picture giving another view of the suncups. They grew slightly with lower elevation.
More Photos:
Camp on Heliotrope ridge is very nice.
Some turns from August 10
Love the twin sister range
Camp on Heliotrope ridge is very nice.
Some turns from August 10
Love the twin sister range
More Photos: Wild flowers are amazing. Haze filled our views of the North Cascades etc. Pumice Ridge is very pumicey.
First off I'd like to add this is my first trip with a Turns member. This was amazing to get to go with Silas. Not only an amazing guy, but a great teacher and someone who's funny as hell.
My thoughts of the trip. We got a bit later start than I'm used to, but hey, I'm going with the legend Silas so I'm not going to complain. We left the Ash Way park-n-ride around 6:45 and had to hit a quick stop on the way up to Baker. Once we stopped there we made it to Bake...
My thoughts of the trip. We got a bit later start than I'm used to, but hey, I'm going with the legend Silas so I'm not going to complain. We left the Ash Way park-n-ride around 6:45 and had to hit a quick stop on the way up to Baker. Once we stopped there we made it to Bake...
- man, I think you guys have as much stoke as myself; thanks for the good 'buzz' off your rpt. keep on hike/ skiin'. oh yaa - & tapping the water source.
Coleman pinnacle still has good coverage, should still be good for a couple weeks
We skied it a couple weeks ago.
> snow was alright up top with no real sun cups. once we hit 7,000 the snow quality softened and there were big cups.
> let's say c to d based on my personal history.
> we also didn't know the local's version of "the right way" to exit so we ended up just hiking back over scree.
> lame.
> it was at least a 30 - 40 minute hike to the first patch of continuous snow to skin on.
&g...
> snow was alright up top with no real sun cups. once we hit 7,000 the snow quality softened and there were big cups.
> let's say c to d based on my personal history.
> we also didn't know the local's version of "the right way" to exit so we ended up just hiking back over scree.
> lame.
> it was at least a 30 - 40 minute hike to the first patch of continuous snow to skin on.
&g...
Thanks for posting this. It brings back memories of being an exchange student in Santiago back in 2005. I had a few very memorable trips hitching rides and taking the bus to get up to the Sierra de San Ramon and up into the Rio Maipu. Hopefully one of these days I'll be able to return and sample some of the austral winter on skis!
What about the other side? Coleman Pinnacle area? Did you happen to look over there, just curious, thanks!
Hopefully the next storm cycle arrives next week. In 2007, we had good a snowpack and we only skied lifts on that day. Jordan's photos are great. I will not forget the 43 or so hairpin turns ;)
author=Zap link=topic=25382.msg107275#msg107275 date=1342546073]
Great adventure and photos. ;)
A belated thanks, Zap!
author=mikerolfs link=topic=25382.msg107277#msg107277 date=1342550169]
wow, nice report. I like the close-up photo on the N Twin sub-peak with your ski tracks in it.
A belated thanks, as well, Mike! This is also my favorite shot!
Skinning would have been nice… I don't currently my own touring skis (looking to invest in September), so the skis were on my backpack all the way up this trip. You could start skinning after the steep section after Hannegan Pass (the traverse around Point 5930) with maybe 1 or 2 short carries where the trail is completely melted out right before the arm. Otherwise, the arm had pretty good coverage.
Nice work! Man, it looks like there is still a s-ton of snow up there. I was wondering where you started skinning from? I would assume it would be up on the arm, but?
Keep em coming
T
Keep em coming
T