TR Replies
I can't wait for the day when having dynamite will be one of the standard essentials to be considered a qualified backcountry skier.
Great Photos of the N Side. Thanks for breaking trail most of the way up. The lower apron of the slot held the most wind protected snow. Lap 2 was actually better in the slot as the wind affected got broken up a bit.
Great meeting you guys.
Jan
Great meeting you guys.
Jan
author=skykilo link=topic=18494.msg78786#msg78786 date=1293143357]The most important safety tool is the brain and that's not being used when one is citing by rote what is and isn't acceptable without a whole lot of qualification.
Amen. Well said Sky.
I'll have to *cough* side with Scotsman on this one. Avy forecasts can be valuable, but they're far from absolutely necessary and they can introduce bias. And I could argue with you until I'm blue in the face about whether it's necessary to dig a pit to see how new snow is bonding with a crust. Do you ever pay attention to how the snow reacts when you make a kick turn on a roll in a place of relative safety?
A more general question to a broader sk...
A more general question to a broader sk...
You're welcome. Glad everyone made it, as it was a good summit day.
Team Fosters
Team Fosters
Niiice -- maybe I can make a weekend migration in January to get a day in with you guys.
author=Scotsman link=topic=18494.msg78594#msg78594 date=1292963242]
Very informative and thought provoking discussion.
Here's what I got out of it.
1) Pits---- problem I have with pits is that to dig one that truly represents the slope I'm testing , I usually have to put myself in a dangerous situation to be truly representative. Many times I've dug a pit in a safe positon and found the slope 50' lower to be completely different d...
Thanks Lisa. Here's a shot of Monika in her element:
And one more of yours truly:
And one more of yours truly:
Do we need an internet argument over everything? Give it a rest. If you've got only snark and one-liners to drop in, feel free to not comment at all.
Dave, thanks for the quick conditions report -- looks like a great day.
Dave, thanks for the quick conditions report -- looks like a great day.
author=Steve C. link=topic=18560.msg78715#msg78715 date=1293056891]
Let's assume that Dave is vague in his description because he doesn't want his secret spot to fill up with other skiers.
Steve, you're trolling....or just plain lazy. if a place get's filled up it's only because you didn't get far enough away from the highway. Hike further.... even BC skiiers arn't utilizing 99.99999...
Nice work you guys! Ryan in his element looking good.
That is an awesome picture of Ryan. Classic steep bootpack face...
My thanks also to the trailbreakers, you got us to the top. Thanks again also for the meds, you saved my bacon. On a side note, it had never occurred to me to include a quart of grog in the first-aid kit. I am going to have to think about that...
author=Monika link=topic=18542.msg78761#msg78761 date=1293119186]
I often don't get jokes either, too gullible. Except for Oyvind's shocking Norske style, but I got yours :). oh being there probably helped-good times!! Thanks!
FTTM first tiger tames the middlefork
Oyvind's jokes are delivered like a sack of flour to the head, they're definitely hard to miss...
Sent it last night - you should have - congrats on your splitboard log crossing triumph.
Few more details now that I'm alive again - the above mentioned log crossing around 3500' was the only way we saw to get across Commonwealth Creek (without putting your boots in water, at least), until the snowpack made a sketchy descent crossing possible starting at 4100'. 3 skiers passed us on the uphill and set the skin track from a solid creek crossing at 4200' to about 540...
Few more details now that I'm alive again - the above mentioned log crossing around 3500' was the only way we saw to get across Commonwealth Creek (without putting your boots in water, at least), until the snowpack made a sketchy descent crossing possible starting at 4100'. 3 skiers passed us on the uphill and set the skin track from a solid creek crossing at 4200' to about 540...
author=ryanl link=topic=18542.msg78749#msg78749 date=1293080775] Just making a little joke.
I often don't get jokes either, too gullible. Except for Oyvind's shocking Norske style, but I got yours :). oh being there probably helped-good times!! Thanks!
FTTM first tiger tames the middlefork
That exceeded expectations. Wow. Still early season cover with logs and holes and brush that needs more cover and such in some places, but still wow.
Cardog and Gerry i respect your sincerity. Just making a little joke. The reality is that I usually put my beacon on as I get out of bed in the morning. That way I'm invincible for the drive as well as the tour ;)
author=dave_perkins link=topic=18542.msg78743#msg78743 date=1293074668]
::) ::) ::) ::) ::) I guess some people don’t understand sarcasm.
maybe the sarcasm meter was turned off to save batteries.
;D
nice, could you email me that pic of me crossing the log?
lol thanks
lol thanks
Great day, Jeri - It was nice to meet you and Scott and I'm glad we got out. Thanks for sharing all the pictures so quickly.... you got some great shots.
Here's the link to our descent track that I captured on the Droid:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=206434048162965682774.0004980b41787dc59ed09
If you're unfamiliar with Google Maps, hover over the "More" button within the map, and then check the box for the Terra...
Here's the link to our descent track that I captured on the Droid:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=206434048162965682774.0004980b41787dc59ed09
If you're unfamiliar with Google Maps, hover over the "More" button within the map, and then check the box for the Terra...
author=cardog100 link=topic=18542.msg78728#msg78728 date=1293069649]
"but our bomber avalanche control had us all turning off our beacons before dropping in"
Gotta say I'm stumped by this one too, as I wear mine even when skiing inbounds when there's been a good dump and the possibility of instability. Better safe than sorry?
author=GerryH link=topic=18542.msg78643#msg78643...
Cool day to be up high at the pass, eh? It was awesome when the low winter sun started hitting Granite, Snoqualmie, and the low clouds.
"but our bomber avalanche control had us all turning off our beacons before dropping in"
Gotta say I'm stumped by this one too, as I wear mine even when skiing inbounds when there's been a good dump and the possibility of instability. Better safe than sorry?
Gotta say I'm stumped by this one too, as I wear mine even when skiing inbounds when there's been a good dump and the possibility of instability. Better safe than sorry?
Why would anyone want to go to a spot that has 3" of fresh over crust, when there is 12"+ everywhere else? That secret spot is safe! BTW - Looks like Blewett to me.
Let's assume that Dave is vague in his description because he doesn't want his secret spot to fill up with other skiers.
author=Scotsman link=topic=18479.msg78694#msg78694 date=1293048089]
I used to love moguls. Let's do it. Can some one remind me exactly where the entrance is? Right of the tippy top?
For you mogul naysayers... i think we all know of a few other classic lines that might even be more hard-core than the slot and nearly as iconic. But the slot, the slot is no 'stash' and it woul...
author=altasnob link=topic=18479.msg78318#msg78318 date=1292650794]
Who wants to hold a mogul contest in the slot this weekend? I will build some booters half-way down so we can through some daffies and twister spreads.
author=gregL link=topic=18479.msg78326#msg78326 date=1292690188]
a dozen people crowded into the little trees at the top was a little cramped!
It was a little cramped at the entrance (I think that’s me getting jabbed with the G3!). But I’m happy to report that, in spite of the crowds, there was a good vibe & no etiquette violations. 8) Just three or four spots on the way up where people peed next to the track and since I was r...
"but our bomber avalanche control had us all turning off our beacons before dropping in"
Is this a new methodology for saving on batteries ::) :'(
Is this a new methodology for saving on batteries ::) :'(
Yeah dude, nice work. At least the ski came out of the box AFTER the tour. ;)
Great weather on Sunday, just a little stiff on those shady N. aspects.
Nice pics.
Nice pics.
OMG that is gorgeous! I am also really digging that chute.
That is looking down toward the middle fork.
Looks like a great day! The backcountry bomb also came to mind when I watched the video.
The line in pic 3 looks so tasty - is that Crooked or is that the Slot?
The line in pic 3 looks so tasty - is that Crooked or is that the Slot?
Nice photo -- I hear Friday was THE day last week to be up!
That's a great post doc_i, thanks for linking to it.
Thanks for the TR. Nice to see the conversation turned towards the productive.
author=Scotsman link=topic=18494.msg78594#msg78594 date=1292963242]
Very informative and thought provoking discussion.
Here's what I got out of it.
1) Pits---- problem I have with pits is that to dig one that truly represents the slope I'm testing , I usually have to put myself in a dangerous situation to be truly representative. Many times I...
Excuse me. We skied Wednesday and Sunday. It was Wednesday morning.
In the spirit of furthering a discussion on avalanche safety and decision making I would like to ask a question of Filbo. I will freely admit to my lameness as would most who know me. Outside of the new White Pass expansion area there is a slot next to Gun Sight that opens onto an approximately 500 foot slope. Over the last 25 years I can not count the number of times I have ski cut that and watched it break to the right and strain through the trees or release and go all the wa...
Very informative and thought provoking discussion.
Here's what I got out of it.
1) Pits---- problem I have with pits is that to dig one that truly represents the slope I'm testing , I usually have to put myself in a dangerous situation to be truly representative. Many times I've dug a pit in a safe positon and found the slope 50' lower to be completely different due to wind effects or lack of wind effect.
2) NWAC report.... I used to read them religously before...
Here's what I got out of it.
1) Pits---- problem I have with pits is that to dig one that truly represents the slope I'm testing , I usually have to put myself in a dangerous situation to be truly representative. Many times I've dug a pit in a safe positon and found the slope 50' lower to be completely different due to wind effects or lack of wind effect.
2) NWAC report.... I used to read them religously before...
Great TR! Informative and stokeful! I will try to make it out to white pass a few times this year, looks awesome!
Thanks for the recon Snowolf, and thanks for the moderation, Marcus.
Backcountry Bomb--- perfect Christmas present for the cornice dropping ski mountaineer in your life.
http://www.backcountrybomb.com/
http://www.backcountrybomb.com/