TR Replies

Ha. Theory experiment Leyland. And thank you for the great navigation in the dark! You really nailed it.

Don't worry Christopher, for the sake of the air of mystery, I won't make it a habit.

2/4/12 1:55am

niko

Good thing you're safe, John. That's a nasty slide in a tight place... What does Cannon Mtn couloir look like these days? Niko

2/3/12 2:12pm

niko

author=silaswild link=topic=23553.msg99790#msg99790 date=1328249672]
Expecting crust and/or mush, we were surprised to find nice settled powder between 2900-5200' on W to S facing slopes
I expect areas that received full sun today to have a trappy crust tomorrow but hope not.

You nailed it, Silas: trappy it is, very trappy. Niko

2/3/12 2:04pm

mikerolfs

author=Lowell_Skoog link=topic=23551.msg99854#msg99854 date=1328331681]

John, do you know of previous descents of those south side gullies on Colchuck? I'm guessing that they melt out fast in the spring, so may be best in winter.

I think this might be the same gully. We called it Doggy's Tooth Couloir at the time. The boarder and alpine skier skied the gully. I took my leather tele boots down the more mode...

2/3/12 2:02pm

Lowell_Skoog

author=mikerolfs link=topic=23551.msg99814#msg99814 date=1328293043]
Thanks. I want to ski this:
(photo from this trip report last june by Pete H: http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=21142.0)

I skied the SW couloir on Dragontail in 1995 during a ski loop through the upper Enchantments. It's a nice line.

John, do you know of previous descents of those south side gu...

2/3/12 1:01pm

peteyboy

Looks like a mini Skillet Glacier right here in our backyard. PM me, Mike, if you think we can get that safe & good in this warm/dry/sunny Feb.
http://www.tetonat.com/photo-gallery-2/grand-teton-national-park/mount-moran/skillet-glacier/

2/3/12 12:53pm

jwplotz

Too much work, Sol. Long approaches don't really work for me anymore. We need more snow here on the eastside. Hoping latter Feb and March are good to us!

2/3/12 11:00am

Sol Wertkin

Nice!

2/3/12 10:17am

Sol Wertkin

Sweet! Nice work John (sounds like it was a lot of it!)! Kinda a sketchy snowpack this year eh.

2/3/12 10:14am

MW88888888

Wow, close call. Thanks for sharing.

That couloir on Dragontail - if I had seen that while I lived in wa - that would be on my hit list. Like at the top.

2/3/12 8:28am

lrudholm

author=christoph benells link=topic=23559.msg99827#msg99827 date=1328310623]
yeah ale what is with the detailed report with so many photos? i like it when you keep us guessing!

He sure spilt the beans on the surprise couloirs.

2/3/12 8:05am

christoph benells

yeah ale what is with the detailed report with so many photos? i like it when you keep us guessing!

2/3/12 7:10am

lrudholm

Yet another nice day up there! Thanks Scott.

2/3/12 6:56am

jwplotz

Isn't this the 'McAllister' range by now?

Nice report, and rare photo onslought from you too!

2/3/12 4:39am

joepa

Feb 2, 2012, Camp Muir

Thanks for the report. Do you know if you can get into the public shelter at Muir?

2/3/12 3:55am

haggis

Love it, angry man have any relatives up there?

2/3/12 3:06am

mikerolfs

Yeah, on left. This is the easy way up Dragon Tail from Colchuck Col.

To complete the hijack of your Cashmere report...
I am looking for a partner :)

2/3/12 2:50am

jwplotz

I've seen that Scurlock image. Looks fun! Isn't that the Pandora's Box?

2/3/12 2:48am

Troy

1/31/12, Sauk Mountain

Mark, thanks for the advice.

Don (and you others out there), I'd be happy go back to Sauk on a stable day, just let me know. Weekdays work best for me but I can get away on a weekend sometimes. It would be nice to start the tour higher by using a burly truck, snowmobile, or waiting for the road to melt out.

Cheers.

2/3/12 2:43am

alecapone

Nice pics Ruraidh!

Glad everyone was able to score some good conditions!

2/3/12 2:20am

mikerolfs

author=jwplotz link=topic=23551.msg99809#msg99809 date=1328291701]
Mike, here's a shot of colchuck conditions:

Thanks. I want to ski this:
(photo from this trip report last june by Pete H: http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=21142.0)

2/3/12 2:17am

Tony_Bentley

I'm sure that hut is still up there :) shhhh

2/3/12 2:05am

jwplotz

I had skin wax, and it proved to be a very temporary solution. The snow was very determined to get a free ride to the top.

Mike, here's a shot of colchuck conditions:

2/3/12 1:55am

mikerolfs

Nice one, John. I had similar glopping in the same area a few weeks ago. I waxed several times and it didn't help. Grease might have helped.

Did you get a look at Colchuck Glacier while you were up there? I'm thinking of going in to that area this weekend. I'm curious if you can ski to the lake yet.

2/3/12 1:34am

Lynden Don

1/31/12, Sauk Mountain

I've always wanted to ski Sauk, I just have not decided to try it. I've hiked it in the summer and it looks to me like the East basin down to Sauk Lake would be a great place.

Has anyone got any advice or trips planned?

Don

2/3/12 1:34am

joecat2

In Baker/Table Mtn vicinity we had similar conditions, settled powder turning to crud later if sunny aspect. practically raining under trees http://www.flickr.com/photos/wotanofballard/sets/72157629158225467/

2/3/12 1:27am

alecapone

Way to dig in bud.

Looks like it was nice weather at least. We could almost see you.

2/3/12 1:26am

Lynden Don

To solve your skin problem, pick up some skin wax. It is one of those items that bangs around in your pack for years, but when you need it you are very thankful

Enjoy

Don

2/3/12 1:25am

haggis

We found the same yesterday. N/NE facing slope holding excellent powder @ 8am. In fact all aspects were still good. However our couloir had partially slid (or at least had point release debris from above during the limited sun on Wednesday) so in spots was a little chunky. Good snow could be found all the way down though. Glad we made it up and out before the sun cooked the ascent since there are a couple spots that would have freaked me out with the sun on it.

2/2/12 11:34pm

Charlie Hagedorn

Thanks for the TR! Glad you came home happy!

2/2/12 3:15pm

jtack

January 31, 2012, Stevens Slackcountry Trifecta

Is that called skiing or surviving? sounds like quite a trip.

2/2/12 2:50pm

BJM

cool tour...esp the broken spectre... very cool

2/2/12 10:27am

Dicey

Barron Yurt, 1/22-1/26

whoo hoo! Thanks for introducing me to the plush life of Yurts/guides/delicious catered food and Helicopter travel, ladies!! I can see myself getting used to this :)

Link to pics and video here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32121172@N00/sets/72157629210487419/

2/2/12 5:35am

ryanl

Oh, and that SW side of Chikamin looks in ;)

2/2/12 2:04am

ryanl

January 31, 2012, Stevens Slackcountry Trifecta

author=Gregg_C link=topic=23518.msg99686#msg99686 date=1328124489]
I would just like to say a hearty F.U. to Eric on behaf of all of us that had to work on such a fine day.

Laughed out loud at this one :)

Look on the bright side Gregg- powder and sunshine will keep him soft enough so we can keep up

2/2/12 1:32am

markharf

1/31/12, Sauk Mountain

I used to always be planning to get up top during winter but never found the right combination of visibility and stability. Trouble is, when the sun's out the steep (40+) degree face gets soft, then crusted. Had a few scary moments on or under that SW face over the years.

There is a mellower route if you scoot around to the back side on the obvious logging roads. I also once scouted a route following the SE-ish treed ridge where I think there's an old summer trai...

2/1/12 2:00pm

mick_scott

Nice work

2/1/12 1:55pm

larry's sister

Jan 27-28, 2012, Sasse Ridge

I thought I heard voices mid morning when I was drying out my clothes in my tent, I poked my head outside half way thinking I might see John coming for a visit. Larry's tent was perfectly still and I didn't see anyone, so I thought I was imagining things. I was running my stove, so it was very hard to hear if there was really someone going by. Sorry to miss saying Hi! It is always fun to cross paths with others. It doesn't happen very often.
Jane

2/1/12 12:35pm

watsonskipsmith

January 26, 27 ONP Hurricane Backcountry

Excellent update and photos thank you!
Beautifull tracks!
(:wats

2/1/12 12:25pm

hedonaut

haha Gregg, i'm sure i owe you a couple of those...in fact i believe you did a certain stellar traverse last year while i worked.

cumulus, we actually flipped on the headlamps at the top of the final Bryant run--that pic of tracks on roosevelt turned out weird--it was still morning!

still buzzing from some eight k of powder turns, some of the best this season for me. perhaps after this big high pressure we'll get another round...

2/1/12 12:21pm

flowing alpy

super trip, you are so lucky to be able to predict the weather so well, i'm jealous.

2/1/12 11:34am

niko

1-30-12, Nimbus via Sparkplug,

author=cumulus link=topic=23515.msg99645#msg99645 date=1328067192]
brief and visually verbose...

Well done: clear and distinct ideas!
N

2/1/12 5:32am

bs.

author=alecapone link=topic=23499.msg99602#msg99602 date=1328032997]
we decided to use the Ne couloir on sparkplug as part of the approach.

is that to the looker's right of the "shocker" line?

glad to hear you've been getting out this week... wish i was riding somewhere up by baker today. looks like by the time my window opens on friday the snow is going to be cooked. hope everyone's getting s...

2/1/12 4:50am

seattlehiker

Haven't logged in in a while here. Glad I did. Stephan, am I to understand that you summited Kaleetan and then skied it? Yep, I see the tracks. Nice Nice Nice. It's a great reward for the hard work to get up there.

2/1/12 4:26am

Gregg_C

1-30-12, Nimbus via Sparkplug,

I would just like to say a hearty F.U. to Eric on behaf of all of us that had to work on such a fine day.

Looks like a great day in the mountains. Congrats......

2/1/12 3:28am

kath

i "heart" your trs ;-)

xcept for no pix ;-(

2/1/12 3:21am

Mofro