TR Replies
Hey Dan, really glad you're OK. Thanks for the report.
The White Salmon is deceptively dangerous in winter (or winter-like) conditions, as I discovered firsthand 3 years ago when I similarly punched one leg through into a crevasse on skins. That was in April, after a LOT of recent new snow:
April 26, 2008, Mt Shuksan, White Salmon + Crevasse
(note that the thumbnai...
The White Salmon is deceptively dangerous in winter (or winter-like) conditions, as I discovered firsthand 3 years ago when I similarly punched one leg through into a crevasse on skins. That was in April, after a LOT of recent new snow:
April 26, 2008, Mt Shuksan, White Salmon + Crevasse
(note that the thumbnai...
The stuff of nightmares right there! Glad you avoided the drop.
Allen glad you got the NW couloir in better conditions...seems like that is a better line since it is most likely sheltered from constant winds.
Good to hear everyone is ok from yesterday, didn't even think there were open crevasses to fall into where the skin track went up the WS. We carried ropes/harnesses the entire time but didn't have them on over that area at all...ignorance is bliss?
Good to hear everyone is ok from yesterday, didn't even think there were open crevasses to fall into where the skin track went up the WS. We carried ropes/harnesses the entire time but didn't have them on over that area at all...ignorance is bliss?
author=ski_photomatt link=topic=19419.msg82386#msg82386 date=1296753653]
One note of caution: a skier (not in my party) punched through a crevasse on the White Salmon while following the skin track yesterday. He said he fell a few feet into the hole and was caught by his backpack and managed to climb out. Similar to Amar's story from a few years ago. In the three separate groups of 7 skiers, no one carried a rope yesterday.
7 of us (three separate groups of 3, 2, 2), plus a solo skier ahead of everyone headed up there on Wednesday with thoughts on the NF or NW Couloir. Unfortunately we were a day late as a persistent cloud deck from 7-8K covered the top of the mountain and everyone turned around at the top of the White Salmon except the solo skier who disappeared into the fog on the Upper Curtis.
One note of caution: a skier (not in my party) punched through a crevasse on the White Salmon while followi...
One note of caution: a skier (not in my party) punched through a crevasse on the White Salmon while followi...
up at paradise too with some friends .. but just one of the groups of snowshoers you prob passed .. honestly though .. i wondered if i'd see you blowing past us .. then when i saw some turns on the nisqually i wondered again .. and then when we some skiers coming off what looked like a fuhrers finger descent i wondered again lol .. l8r they popped up fm the glacier and confirmed they had done it but that conditions sucked .. being icy at the top
anyhow it was a stellar day on th...
anyhow it was a stellar day on th...
awesome .. you got some great images too .. way to go guys
Hi Scott,
It was nice to meet and chat with you. The north side looked good from above - will keep that in mind.
Pavel
It was nice to meet and chat with you. The north side looked good from above - will keep that in mind.
Pavel
I bailed off the N face before you guys got there prob 300 vert down into it, a little too icy for me. I was worried it would be icy like that for quite a long way. I'm glad you got past it without too much trouble. I found the NW couloir to be much less icy, I only punched though the windbuff on a few occasions. Other than that it was just a little sloughy. The run down the north face has to be one of the coolest looking runs I have ever stood on top of.
Cool trip report, about how long is the approach skin up the creek? I assume you have to park at the hw during the winter?
Great pics on your blog! I'm going to have to ski this one soon. Were you guys tempted to climb the n. face to see what you were in for? That's gutsy to drop in blind on such a committing line. Nice work!
Forgot to mention that the video was nice and I need to quit procrastinating and head up that mountain with my snowshoes like I keep saying! And now that you shoveled the berm......
The Nisqually skied well. A little wind affected on the top. What a great day to be out 8)
Some video...
http://contour.com/stories/lowernisqually-020111
http://contour.com/stories/nisquallychute-020111
And a few pics...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=60930&id=100000218445455&l=857c4d7399
Some video...
http://contour.com/stories/lowernisqually-020111
http://contour.com/stories/nisquallychute-020111
And a few pics...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=60930&id=100000218445455&l=857c4d7399
Dang, I know someone that intended on climbing the Kautz either yesterday or today.
I hope they are ok.
I hope they are ok.
That's a high pucker factor with the said conditions, I'll save it for a powder or creamy corn day. Nice work getting it done safely. Thumbs up!
Marcus, can you add a thumbs up emoticon for such TR's please. :)
Marcus, can you add a thumbs up emoticon for such TR's please. :)
thanks all. hope it is of some help. sky, i totally saw dans steep insane tracks, a out of this world descent. that exposure must have been pretty wild. i saw his trip report which is what led me to think the stability and conditions were good enough to try the North Face yesterday.
Nice one GG. One of my favorites. Did you see any tracks from the Dansanity?
Enjoyed the TR and photos. I was touring there last March on a similar day. It appears the masses boot up Glory. The south side seems to receive less traffic and as your photos depict, there is plenty of terrain to explore.
I pointed out that line to my wife when we were at Baker on Sunday.
I told her" people have skied that".... she was incredulous.
Amazing confidence in your skill level.... well done.
I told her" people have skied that".... she was incredulous.
Amazing confidence in your skill level.... well done.
Hell of a first TR Garrett -- thanks for putting it up.
This is a great shot:
This is a great shot:
Nope. Chair peak circ as well. Saw your line from chair peak lake.
Todd - No worries. We are all trying to get to the mountains and enjoy the splendor they offer. The activities we are involved with are as diverse as the people partaking in them. I think we all strive to adopt a "live and let live" approach to ensure we can all maximize what we love in the outdoors.
I hope you continue to enjoy the amazing terrain that you have in your backyard up there.
- Chris
I hope you continue to enjoy the amazing terrain that you have in your backyard up there.
- Chris
Nice Silas. Your poles are waiting for you in my backyard.
Silas-
you might have run into my roommate who was skinning for his first time up towards the lake. he mentioned meeting and/or following some skiers.
hope all is well. We've yet to run into each other in the parking lot!
trevor
you might have run into my roommate who was skinning for his first time up towards the lake. he mentioned meeting and/or following some skiers.
hope all is well. We've yet to run into each other in the parking lot!
trevor
Way to get at it Silas -- you lucky retired ski bum.
Altasnob: we may be interested in using the top image on our web site (BCA). Would you mind shooting me a PM with your contact info so we can discuss details? I'll be out of the country until the 11th of Feb and will be able to get back to you after that time. Nice line, by the way. Thx, Steve
good to hear from you Amar. Great pictures!
Definitely a fun line and well worth the extra time angling up from Melakwa Pass. Assume you were up on Roosevelt today then?... How was the snow?
Pierce,
There is too much ambiguity with the FS policy regarding the Hannegan Rd. The Nooksack Nordic Club has a permit from the FS to groom Hannegan Rd. for skiing, snowshoeing, dog type things, and other passive winter recreation activities. But, the winter travel management plan does not close the road to automobiles if it is drivable. This conflict between the permitting and policy is news to us and I apologize for getting on your case. We have worked hard...
There is too much ambiguity with the FS policy regarding the Hannegan Rd. The Nooksack Nordic Club has a permit from the FS to groom Hannegan Rd. for skiing, snowshoeing, dog type things, and other passive winter recreation activities. But, the winter travel management plan does not close the road to automobiles if it is drivable. This conflict between the permitting and policy is news to us and I apologize for getting on your case. We have worked hard...
Actually I think ambiguous is the incorrect term. The website is very clear. Drive it if you wish!
One would indeed think that Pierce is in the wrong, but I feel that the Forest Service is ambiguous on this road especially since they tout it as a place for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. This is NOT the White Salmon Ski Area but an area that is tracked when there is snow which at this point, they are NOT grooming.
This is from their website concerning access to Goat Mountain Trailhead:
NOT CLEARED
Trailhead access in a vehicle questionable due to deep...
This is from their website concerning access to Goat Mountain Trailhead:
NOT CLEARED
Trailhead access in a vehicle questionable due to deep...
Saw your turns down that couloir today. Looks like a good/fun line.
That fox has been there all winter. Seen it multiple times begging on the road.
author=T. Eastman link=topic=19385.msg82177#msg82177 date=1296546252]
The local nordic ski club that pays for the limited grooming of that road and other nearby trails would appreciate you not chopping through the barrier. On low snow years there is little low elevation snow for skiing, snowshoeing, ski-joring, among other activities. Wheeled vehicles are excluded from the road when it is blocked for winter sports.
T.Eastman -...
I was the guy that came up the SE ridge. Nice meeting you guys at the top. The short runs into the north bowl were quite nice and snow stability was good. Skiing down from the end of the SE ridge was reasonable. Did start to get sluffy below 4,500 on the way down. For anyone that cares, continuous snow started about 3,600 ft so plan on carrying your skis for awhile.
Nice TR. I enjoyed the photos with the skiers and icefalls on "lookers" left.
How do you like your coiled leashes ? I've been using mine since last spring.
How do you like your coiled leashes ? I've been using mine since last spring.
Or, if you must feed him, feed him snowshoe hares.
Nice TR...love hearin' about backcountry in the wasatch, nice pics!...link to a video poking fun at the heli-free wasatch controversy...
http://pointofrelease.com/videos/dawn-patrol-skiing-video-humor-comedy-funny-xtranormal/?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d424a89116429ca%2C0
http://pointofrelease.com/videos/dawn-patrol-skiing-video-humor-comedy-funny-xtranormal/?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d424a89116429ca%2C0
Todd, this is the second time in a month or so that shared use of that little section of road has come up here: once with snow machines, now with wheels. Usually the people involved sound more clueless than malevolent. If you're involved with the Nooksack Nordics, maybe a sign to clarify things would be helpful. It sure doesn't seem like the issue is going to go away anytime soon.
Of course, some folks take signs as an invitation to vandalism. I'm jus...
Of course, some folks take signs as an invitation to vandalism. I'm jus...
The local nordic ski club that pays for the limited grooming of that road and other nearby trails would appreciate you not chopping through the barrier. On low snow years there is little low elevation snow for skiing, snowshoeing, ski-joring, among other activities. Wheeled vehicles are excluded from the road when it is blocked for winter sports.
It's like crack!
One ride and you'd turn into Charlie Sheen.... hookers and blow and heli drops. OH my! ;D
I've read the website re heli-free wasatch before and Andrew Mcleans lobbying on straightchuter. I know its' a big issue down there.
One ride and you'd turn into Charlie Sheen.... hookers and blow and heli drops. OH my! ;D
I've read the website re heli-free wasatch before and Andrew Mcleans lobbying on straightchuter. I know its' a big issue down there.
Havent been on the ship before. Im sure it rocks. Im not totally anti-heli but am kind of a purist. I think they should be banned from areas whete other motorized traffic is banned. Thats really my only beef. Believe me, if I could afford heli drops all the time, it would ruin my life because it would be my life. Oh yeah, thats jealousy! Guilty. But still, i do identify with the ideals of heli-free wasatch, check it on the web sometime..
Oh, and props to Allen and Sam for the stoke as well. Fine video!
yup. and I've been dropped in Cardiff and Cardiac from the choppers a few times. while the outfit may be loathed by some, every conversation I've ever heard on the ship with the guides, owners and pilots was pretty empathetic and considerate of the skinners.
interesting dynamic indeed, and trust me, the folks that heli in don't think it's any less spectacular.
oh yeah, bring back the Brit.
interesting dynamic indeed, and trust me, the folks that heli in don't think it's any less spectacular.
oh yeah, bring back the Brit.
Good combo; it's good to hear there was fresh at Paradise Sunday too. Saturday we saw huge variations in snow depth, e.g. many creeks were open and uncovered but wooden bridge crossings were buried 8 feet deep.
I wonder what it would be like to ski in BOTH the Olympics and the Cascades in ONE day? :) hopefully with better vis.
I wonder what it would be like to ski in BOTH the Olympics and the Cascades in ONE day? :) hopefully with better vis.