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5/16/11 1:13pm
LSho
May 13, 2011- Thunder Glacier near Mt. Baker
Wow face shots in mid May, who would have thunk! way 2 go! thanks for the excellent photos, fun tour!
5/16/11 1:13pm
ebeam
May 13, 2011- Thunder Glacier near Mt. Baker
Jason - great photos and write up. Thanks for doing it.

Oyvind - didn't see anyone over Sisters way (and we did look). You are right about the Thunder being a nice run. The setting above the icefall is stellar. I will be back.

Thanks to Steve, Scott, and Chuck also for a great trip. This backyard of ours is an amazing place.
5/16/11 12:41pm
Boot
May 13, 2011, Tatoosh Rd
I'm overdue for a good MRNP rant.  Friday from Stevens Ridge I observed the SC Road plowing progress was almost to the bridge over Stevens Creek and it appeared that the road, parking, and turn-outs all the way to Snow Lk TH were cleared.  So why can't they open the road to skiers/hikers/climbers to that spot now instead of two weeks from now??  The MRNP Mantra of "it is what it is" prevails even in the spring.  :(
5/16/11 11:56am
tabski
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
Move the thread to TGR?
5/16/11 11:41am
normanclyde
April-May, 2011, PNW, An espy of winter.
Thanks for the post.  That Pirsig quote digs down to the kernel of the mountain experience.
If anyone is looking to paddle, I have a Pygmy Osprey Triple that's straining impatiently to reenter the water.
5/16/11 10:58am
davidG
April-May, 2011, PNW, An espy of winter.
Fresh air.  Ping me if you're inclined to go sea kayaking.  dg
5/16/11 9:45am
wolfs
May 13, 2011- Thunder Glacier near Mt. Baker
author=Scotsman link=topic=20863.msg88967#msg88967 date=1305566287]
Nice.
Man ... I'm digging the Japanese headband..... Kamakazi steeze..... I like it.

.... and .... a visor! So retro ... crop the newfangled whippets out of the frame and that one pic from the last batch coulda been from the 80s.

That is an even nicer looking line from the perspective you get at the bottom. Gotta go get that one some time.
5/16/11 5:15am
Mofro
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
author=skr link=topic=20811.msg88977#msg88977 date=1305573601]
NWAC special warning for the day you skied steep terrain solo:

"This is NOT the weekend you had hoped for, but is one in which your safest options should NOT include back country travel. Whether skier, boarder, rider, snowshoer, hiker or climber, we strongly recommend avoiding steeper avalanche terrain and remaining well away from avalanche path run-out zones. "

gla...
5/16/11 4:38am
Joedabaker
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
author=skr link=topic=20811.msg88977#msg88977 date=1305573601]
NWAC special warning for the day you skied steep terrain solo:

"This is NOT the weekend you had hoped for, but is one in which your safest options should NOT include back country travel. Whether skier, boarder, rider, snowshoer, hiker or climber, we strongly recommend avoiding steeper avalanche terrain and remaining well away from avalanche path run-out zones. "

gla...
5/16/11 4:29am
ema
May 13, 2011- Thunder Glacier near Mt. Baker
You snaked my line!! Early bird gets the worm! Nice ski.
5/16/11 4:12am
Glorificus Adventum
May 13, 2011, North Twin Sister
A friend and I tried that about a month ago and they were logging and had the risk of getting the gate locked on us (aside from which I guees you're not supposed to be driving up there). Did you guys mt. bike in or what? Looks like excellent terrain, great job.
5/16/11 3:40am
rippy
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
The "Ridge too far" has been an epic and largely unknown series of chutes & colouirs that have been luring some of us for over 20 years. In all the winter visits, it has roughly a 25%  to 30%chance of being "right". When it's not, well, retreat was in order. There has been a small herd of Goats back there & on one occasion got to about 40 feet from us before startling them. Hope this one stays low on the radar screen for a few more years. And assess it well...
5/16/11 2:57am
tabski
May 13, 2011, North Twin Sister
The same day we were looking over there from the Coleman going "Dang it looks nice over there."
5/16/11 2:30am
Oyvind_Henningsen
May 13, 2011- Thunder Glacier near Mt. Baker
Nice run that is - Erik, Chuck and company - worth it ayeh !  Did you see us to the West?  I could have sworn i saw a party skinning out of the Thunder up on to Marmot Ridge ;-)  Nice day and fine pictures.
5/16/11 2:20am
Scotsman
May 13, 2011- Thunder Glacier near Mt. Baker
Nice.
Man ... I'm digging the Japanese headband..... Kamakazi steeze..... I like it.
5/16/11 2:18am
JasonGriffith
May 13, 2011- Thunder Glacier near Mt. Baker
Last two, I promise:  Twin Sisters Range, Scott and Steve
5/16/11 2:16am
JasonGriffith
May 13, 2011- Thunder Glacier near Mt. Baker
It was too nice a day to not keep 'em coming: Scott, Steve, and the whole gang with the Thunder Glacier behind
5/16/11 2:13am
JasonGriffith
May 13, 2011- Thunder Glacier near Mt. Baker
And they keep coming: Tracks above the 'schrund, Chuck skittering through the icefall, Chuck
5/16/11 2:11am
JasonGriffith
May 13, 2011- Thunder Glacier near Mt. Baker
More Photos: Ebeam scouting, then ripping it down to the 'schrund.
5/16/11 2:09am
jgreenleaf
May 13 East Peak
Yes it is, impressive even from the other side of the valley.
5/16/11 2:02am
ema
May 8, 2011, Million Dollar Couloir
Oh, the highway shed at the road. I know the web cam is there, but it's hard to tell how much snowpack there is. Thanks for the info! Go Canucks!
5/16/11 1:49am
davidG
May 14, 2011, Mt Elbert, Highest Peak in CO
Would have loved to see that 'snow devil'.  Quite rare, I should think.
5/16/11 12:04am
TonyM
May 14, 2011, Mt Elbert, Highest Peak in CO
ha...  Not in the cards on Saturday....  but that entire face looked inviting!
5/15/11 11:46pm
hyakSS
May 14, 2011, Snoqualmie slot dawn patrol
Nice work Erik.
5/15/11 11:12pm
MW88888888
May 14, 2011, Mt Elbert, Highest Peak in CO
Great training tour for your trip.  Couldn't talk Sally into Box Creek chutes, eh? 
5/15/11 10:09pm
~Link~
May 13, 2011, North Twin Sister
Very nice!  It's good to see folk taking advantage of the limited weather-windows of late.
5/15/11 2:25pm
Mtraslin
May 8, 2011, Million Dollar Couloir
Thanks for sharing!

I am not sure what you mean by salt shed, but we were able to ski right from the road with plenty of snow....
5/15/11 12:31pm
Oyvind_Henningsen
May 13, 2011, North Twin Sister
Thanks Steve, Kerry, Laurie, Tobae, and Dave, we picked a great day to get out !
5/15/11 11:24am
tobae
May 13, 2011, North Twin Sister
thanks Laurie for organizing the trip, and mucho thanks to Kerry for access as well as local geology lessons.  Dave and Oyvind, your skin track and boot pack was much appreciated.
5/15/11 11:01am
Telewoman
Mt Shasta - 5-9 - 5-12 AG Casaval Ridge etc
Great pics! Yep, it's been good corn until this weekend. It's been snowing on and off in town. A couple inches or so on the mountain. Looks like cool temps this week and by the weekend back to that sweet corn.
It's still a good 15+ miles to the Brewer Creek Trail head. It may be a while before snow melts.
www.mountshastaguide.com :)
5/15/11 10:49am
prestonf
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
It's all good. 

It would be awesome if you went ahead and posted up the GPS tracks and waypoints.  That way I'd know if I was looking down Gnar Chute #1 or Gnar Chute #2.  Thanks! ;D
5/15/11 10:48am
prestonf
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
Tim Right on! and I'll vote for you for  president. Keep posting and cranking. This area rocks.
5/15/11 10:31am
Scotsman
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
author=timmyfitz link=topic=20811.msg88889#msg88889 date=1305478888]
I was hoping it wouldn't get ugly, but I knew some would be upset. 

So you knew some people would be upset and posted anyway! mmmmmh . Sound like you could be a rabble rouser and troller.
Welcome! ;D
5/15/11 10:22am
rlsg
May 13, Mt. Torment
Thanks for the report and great photos!
5/15/11 8:41am
Tom_Sjolseth
May 13, Mt. Torment
In your photo, "Trying to find the way to the N.W. Glacier", that's the route we took.  It was definitely icy and exposed downclimbing through the narrowest and steepest part of the chute.

Here's looking up at the steepest bit.  We descended/ascended just below the lowest wisp of cloud in the narrow constriction.


Booting back up to the 5700' col.



S...
5/15/11 8:40am
rlsg
Mt Shasta - 5-9 - 5-12 AG Casaval Ridge etc
Looks dreamy...thanks for the tr.  WAY TO FIND THE CORN!

Btw, have any idea about how far one can drive up to Brewer Creek TH -- on the east side--before hitting impassable snow (Wintun route..)?
5/15/11 8:34am
danhelmstadter
Mt Shasta - 5-9 - 5-12 AG Casaval Ridge etc
Yeah Mick! looks great!
5/15/11 8:09am
LSho
May 13, 2011, North Twin Sister
S Twin
5/15/11 7:13am
VerticallyInclined
May 13, 2011, North Twin Sister
Incredible!
5/15/11 7:10am
VerticallyInclined
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
Great report!   There's no reason for protectionism.   There's several thousand feet of reasons why the "regular public" won't ever climb up to abuse these chutes. 

One only needs to google "Crystal East Peak" or the like to find information and photos of the area.

Keep up the reports Tim!

5/15/11 7:06am
CascadeSkier
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
...many thanks for the TR...solid rationale in the context of safety...TAY is an excellent sharing platform...just my 2 skins...
5/15/11 6:29am
LSho
May 13, 2011, North Twin Sister
sorry for the disorganized photos, just learning: This is a pic of the N Twin, the image below it is the South Twin Sister
5/15/11 6:19am
LSho
May 13, 2011, North Twin Sister
Finally figured this out!
5/15/11 6:16am
LSho
May 13, 2011, North Twin Sister
maybe larger?
5/15/11 6:10am
LSho
May 13, 2011, North Twin Sister
another attempt on the photo
5/15/11 6:06am
shaman
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
Thanks for the TR.  This place is not as secret as some here would like to believe.  It is hard to get in and out of and involves some exposure when conditions are not perfect.

Thanks again for sharing.....I think I will throw a party out there and invite everyone I know.
5/15/11 5:23am
GregLange
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
Remove Post. Creating inappropriate debate. Remove poster if behaviors persist.
5/15/11 4:49am
ColdSmokeWrangler
Mt Shasta - 5-9 - 5-12 AG Casaval Ridge etc
Great pics, wish I could've been there............Brobra Kai!
5/15/11 3:38am
Joedabaker
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
Well stated Timmy, again nice first report.
It's not like you can just open the door of your car to get there as a matter of fact.. if we are sharing the love... head further south and really gorge on a chute fest in Goat Lakes, but you better bring game and have some left over for the exit.
I encourage all the rad Groms' to go hit both of those up. But be ready to get your ass handed back to you both on the hike and the avy dangers. There has been a Crystal Patroller injured...
5/15/11 2:34am
timmyfitz
May 7, 2011, Norse Peak and Gnar Chutes exploration
I was hoping it wouldn't get ugly, but I knew some would be upset.  After considering things, I posted with the following in mind:

This area is tough to get to, time, effort required and out of the way location all will keep plenty away.  The number of days where this will be safe skiing in the winter is very limited (in my opinion) due to aspect and pitch.  There are several lines to ski up there, unlikely to get "tracked out", particularly in light of t...