TR Replies
Thanks for the report Amar.
Guess I'll be going to Crystal.
Guess I'll be going to Crystal.
I guess that was worth missing nachos.
My bad, it was Dec 5th.
I haven't checked with the FS on when they plan to close the gate but it is my understanding they have left if open for late season hunting.
There are a couple of options to getting over there when the gate closes. ;D
I'm always looking for week day partners.
I haven't checked with the FS on when they plan to close the gate but it is my understanding they have left if open for late season hunting.
There are a couple of options to getting over there when the gate closes. ;D
I'm always looking for week day partners.
That looks much better than Sunday. You can actually see your tracks. The sun above the valley fog must be loosening it up a bit. Glad you all got to enjoy it.
Nice work getting into and skiing the southwest side and Dryer Glacier. That's my favorite route on St Helens, especially since it leads directly to the true summit. I've only managed to ski it once, in April 2004, due to typically long access when the road is gated. I followed a large gully heading directly towards the toe of the Dryer Glacier after trying in vain to follow the trail through the woods (
Nice trip Steve. We were over on the worm flows. Attached pic of worm flows on the same day for comparison. You had much better coverage.
Rob and I did the trip on 12/6 and aside from the thin coverage it was very nice. Softening by 9 am. Left the rim at 1pm on really nice wind buff, which gradually transitioned into soft corn at about 6800'. Skied lookers left near the pinnacle on monitor as coverage was better on that side. The only negative was a strong wind above 7k after 12pm. Surprisingly calm at the rim, although i could hear it swirling in the crater. It's hard to imagine Decem...
Cool shots of Larrabe.Looks like a fun ski.
Good effort and some cool local knowledge.
That "flying jellyfish" is one of the the most spectacular cloud formations I have ever seen!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
author=Tom_Sjolseth link=topic=22640.msg96649#msg96649 date=1323201384]Glad to meet you too. Hope you had a great trip as well.
Nice to meet you at the snow park. I'm glad you were able to enjoy your day despite the marginal coverage.
The winter route (worm flow) has the initial open area then into the ridge lines which funnel you down, where as on the Dyer Glacier area has more open routes. It reminds me of groomed runs at a resort.
The snow is more wind effected on this side which during the current conditions smoothed thing out and softened better then the packed powder.
The snow is more wind effected on this side which during the current conditions smoothed thing out and softened better then the packed powder.
Hey Louie, no prob, was nice to meet you guys, too. Glad I topped my fuel off before leaving home; pasta and instant potatoes are really much better when they're cooked.
Nice pictures. Cool to meet you guys up there. We headed over towards Tomyhoi, had a mellow day exploring. The views were amazing, even if the snow wasn't. Thanks for lending us your stove!
I've been up to Red Rock Pass in the summer on my mt bike, but have never been in this are during the winter months. How does the terrain on the upper mountain compare to the terrain around the standard winter route on the south side? From your pictures, it looks much better.
Thanks Amar. I've been looking at some of the Canon "bridge" cameras, so its good to hear some reviews from someone using it for the same reason.
great "jellyfish" shot!
great "jellyfish" shot!
Nice to meet you at the snow park. I'm glad you were able to enjoy your day despite the marginal coverage.
High Flying Pilot and I skied it yesterday and it was surprisingly good. I had fears of boiler plate ice, but things softened up just enough to make for some pretty good skiing.
The Larrabee shot is fantastic
How many does the lookout hold comfortably? Looks like a great base for the weekend!
How many does the lookout hold comfortably? Looks like a great base for the weekend!
Sound like not much had change from my trip up there on Dec 1. I did find better conditions and snow yesterday further to the west.
Zap,
Nice chatting with you! We must have timed it right and didn't experience any flat light, but it was in and out all afternoon. Conditions were indeed a pleasant surprise, as we were expecting hard groomers as well.
Got the kid sorted. He was a bit grumpy until I turned him around in the carrier so he could see the action, then life was good again.
Hope you're enjoying Whistler!
Nice chatting with you! We must have timed it right and didn't experience any flat light, but it was in and out all afternoon. Conditions were indeed a pleasant surprise, as we were expecting hard groomers as well.
Got the kid sorted. He was a bit grumpy until I turned him around in the carrier so he could see the action, then life was good again.
Hope you're enjoying Whistler!
Awesome photos Andy!
Here are a few more pics of Winchester, Larrabee, and Baker:
It's the broken stuff that needs perpetual attention.... if it ain't broke, I try not to fix it.
Que suerte. Sólo sol y azul aquí.
Que suerte. Sólo sol y azul aquí.
Wow! Awesome photos. Someday I'll figure out how to get my images larger and be able to post more like yourself. Any advice would be very nice, but if not thanks anyways for your great trip reports.
author=Oyvind_Henningsen link=topic=22609.msg96547#msg96547 date=1323103465]Yes as we hiked back up I noticed there was some great snow in that area. Good to here from you Oyvind!
Great day wasn't it Vince. Kevin and I made it up there on Friday and headed lookers right on your first photo looking for some ice ;-)
Nice photos - looks like a fun area for an overnight. I'd love to get in there sometime, maybe spring or early summer if access allows.....thanks for sharing!
Great TR Koda. Sounds like very similar conditions to what we experienced in 2005.
Sorry I missed it.
Sorry I missed it.
Looks like a great day Vince! I'm really sorry I missed out. I'm glad the poochie made it out of the water ok. That can be scary!
Am I the only UW-trained physicist whose equipment needs constant attention!?
Y nieva aqui hoy, viva Nuevo Mexico....
Y nieva aqui hoy, viva Nuevo Mexico....
author=alecapone link=topic=22591.msg96542#msg96542 date=1323099093]
Neat bumping into you guys up there... or should I say down there?
The last of our group eventually made it out in good spirits. Although he did make the historic first splitbooting decent of Chenney creek.
I just knew it would be a busy day of making history.
author=Amar Andalkar link=topic=22596.msg96541#msg96541 date=1323089830]
When the subject comes up, I always strongly discourage others from attempting to do so, due to fear of damaging the camera or instruments while trying to remove ice and rime.
Seconded. Instrumentation likes to be left alone. (Also - sweet photos, Amar!)
Great day wasn't it Vince. Kevin and I made it up there on Friday and headed lookers right on your first photo looking for some ice ;-)
author=altasnob link=topic=22610.msg96543#msg96543 date=1323099940]
Wow, maybe it's time for an online reservation system like they use for some of the huts in Canada.
PLEASE... don't suggest another reservation system!! If the hut is full then dig a snowcave as these folks did, or head back by moonlight. The safest thing is to never depend on the hut to be available. Sorry for the rant. Looks like a f...
Wow, maybe it's time for an online reservation system like they use for some of the huts in Canada.
Neat bumping into you guys up there... or should I say down there?
The last of our group eventually made it out in good spirits. Although he did make the historic first splitbooting decent of Chenney creek.
The last of our group eventually made it out in good spirits. Although he did make the historic first splitbooting decent of Chenney creek.
As stated above, ski crampons were not really needed at all this time. I tried to use them briefly on Pan Face, but was forced to boot due to glopping issues. Used them above about 8500 ft just in case, but could easily have skinned to Muir without them.
Regarding the Muir webcam: the lens is not necessarily obscured at this time, so there may be no need to clear it off. It is just stuck showing an old image. The camera suddenly went offline just after its last upload at 3:17p...
Regarding the Muir webcam: the lens is not necessarily obscured at this time, so there may be no need to clear it off. It is just stuck showing an old image. The camera suddenly went offline just after its last upload at 3:17p...
word on the street is open to barlow, and unplowed/closed-ish from barlow to bedal
I really like the photo of sperry, sloan and glacier! Very nice views indeed!
I really like the photo of sperry, sloan and glacier! Very nice views indeed!
We hauled out three kids who had gotten their truck stuck on Wednesday. I'm pretty sure I remember them telling us the gate was open and they had driven past it.
Nice work on the video. You made us look good considering that the conditions were not exactly ripper.
author=jwplotz link=topic=22591.msg96510#msg96510 date=1323029079]
You didn't return on Saturday for another lap?
My group is 1000' into the crap descent with 1000' of it left and we're talking about whether it would be more efficient to take off our skis and wallow downhill and here comes John with a busted binding. Before he recognizes any of us, and with a big smile, he says "I'm thinking abo...
thanks!
i was solo w/ dog for the day and ran into her on the trail- don't remember her name now. thanks to your party for breaking trail. i live in greenwater and like to tour often. let me know when you head out this way next.
Thanks Kenji.
It's remarkable that the skiing was so much better down the ridge a ways. It must have to do with how the wind funnels up the basin. I found little pockets of good snow, but after a couple turns I'd hit another slabby section.
It's remarkable that the skiing was so much better down the ridge a ways. It must have to do with how the wind funnels up the basin. I found little pockets of good snow, but after a couple turns I'd hit another slabby section.
What?! You didn't return on Saturday for another lap?
Those were some great looking turns up high. Wish Scott and I had time to get up there. Nice video Mike!
Those were some great looking turns up high. Wish Scott and I had time to get up there. Nice video Mike!
Lowell, we must have followed your trail from Windy Pass. Started out from Hayak with three others over and down to Hidden Valley on crusty snowcat ruts. Two of us then headed toward Silver a bit round about way over Nordic Pass. Skiing was actually very good off the ridge about 10" of dense powder. We took the Catherine loop back to the car just before dark.
Amar, I'll have to say I'm just a little surprised that you of all folks, didn't clear off the lens of the Muir web cam. I will readily admit that I may well be somewhat unknowledgable about what that job actually entails. But I bet you aren't! ;)
In any event, many thanks for the photos of a clear day on the Mountain. And kudos for an outstanding photo of the fox in the parking lot.
Was it essentially harsheisen from the Paradise Parking lot all the...
In any event, many thanks for the photos of a clear day on the Mountain. And kudos for an outstanding photo of the fox in the parking lot.
Was it essentially harsheisen from the Paradise Parking lot all the...
author=cornRIDE link=topic=22600.msg96505#msg96505 date=1323023864]
nice to meet you there. -trevor
That was YOU with the woman carrying her board? ;D I like your tunes! 8)
In retrospect we could have all gotten good value by riding laps on East Peak right above where we regrouped at the meadow. It would be fun to tour with you some day.
Mike, thanks for posting the video, it's great.
Is the road open to Barlow Pass, the county site says its gated??