TR Replies
Wait a second. There IS sun in California???!!! Who knew???!??!!
looks like some of the interesting wet condition, makes good photos. come on down to the Sierra's if you want to see the peaks (Zap knows). during our storms the crest is always socked in but the lower elev. is typically visible. once there's a snowpack you can find stuff "protected"
Your first photo is beautiful. Looked rather untracked. ::)
author=Scotsman link=topic=17822.msg75305#msg75305 date=1288832980]
Not ready and won't be without significant new snowfall.
Snowtel telemetry=liar, liar , pants on fire.
That's a long drive for such disappointing conditions. I suppose it's the inevitable regression to the mean of all those "you don't know until you go" times that end up being much better than expected. Thanks for taking one fo...
I don't know if this even belongs here; it is TURNS all year after all, and we made zero turns. Also, my memory card died so I have no pictures. So sad!
author=Scotsman link=topic=17822.msg75303#msg75303 date=1288830228]
... there is a fine line between boyish enthusiasm and senile dementia.
You know, I've been thinking that since about July!!
Maybe it should be right under the TAY masthead? ;)
Cchapin,
Quite possible. There was some warming after the snowstorm. I wonder what the current warm weather and sun will do - it could produce some crusts and later on weak layers in the current snowpack.
P
Quite possible. There was some warming after the snowstorm. I wonder what the current warm weather and sun will do - it could produce some crusts and later on weak layers in the current snowpack.
P
Thorough report; great pics.
Thanks, wolfs.
Thanks, wolfs.
Cool photos. Makes me wonder if there was rain.
author=Scotsman link=topic=17822.msg75317#msg75317 date=1288846074]
You are dead on about the good skiing just before it closes. I had a great day up there once ...the day before it closed a few years back, skiing pow in a heavy snowfall. It is the memory of that day that makes me keep trying to hit it right. WA Pass my favorite ski touring destination in WA bar none.
Mine too!
After growing up in Twisp I've concl...
Thanks for sharing your adventure. There will always be another day especially when you return home intact. ;)
author=lrudholm link=topic=17822.msg75314#msg75314 date=1288844359]
It never seems to be good up there until the day they close it.
Last year early season (road was still open) I was skiing waist to chest deep powder near lake ann and meanwhile Washington pass had significantly less snow. So sometimes Rainy Pass is better!
Probably due to wind loading on hindsight.
-LR
Not today! There really is very th...
Thanks Jmiller and Ron, finally good to be here. I keep meaning to post something here the last few years, finally made the plunge. That was us with the snowboarder turned skier, Carla rocked the house!
B)
B)
It never seems to be good up there until the day they close it.
Last year early season (road was still open) I was skiing waist to chest deep powder near lake ann and meanwhile Washington pass had significantly less snow. So sometimes Rainy Pass is better!
Probably due to wind loading on hindsight.
-LR
Last year early season (road was still open) I was skiing waist to chest deep powder near lake ann and meanwhile Washington pass had significantly less snow. So sometimes Rainy Pass is better!
Probably due to wind loading on hindsight.
-LR
About eight years ago I had a similar outing on the Blue Lake trail. The difference between my experience and yours was that I finished long after dark. And fell into a still-unfrozen pond. There are better places to ski in thin snow conditions.
Way to take one for the team.
Glad you didn't turn it into a real beating.
It can be a fine line between a challenge and a pain in the ass.
Glad you didn't turn it into a real beating.
It can be a fine line between a challenge and a pain in the ass.
author=TobyT link=topic=17822.msg75304#msg75304 date=1288831880]
Why? Where? Thanks for the heads up. No increase in depth the higher you went? No turns???!!! Pics of the nastiness?
Blue Lake TH.
aiming for Cornice of Death.
No significant increase in depth the height we went up. We gave up, every rock, branch, twig exposed. We gave up,,, it was really, really, REALLY bad.
Beautiful weather, hardly a cloud in the sk...
Why? Where? Thanks for the heads up. No increase in depth the higher you went? No turns???!!! Pics of the nastiness?
Like the "white castle" shot; rarely seen that on a clear, sunny day after structures have been hammered in a recent storm.
The more moderate slopes at Skyline can be skied in 8 inches of moderately consolidated snow. I've done it while the blueberries were still thick and left nice purple tracks all the way down. The steeper slopes have some rocks and need slightly better coverage. But timing is all; the approach gets long and unexciting once the snow starts sticking to the road. Except for Toby, of course.
Glad to see someone's out there taking advantage of the pe...
Glad to see someone's out there taking advantage of the pe...
Nice report.
To you both, Welcome to TAY.
To you both, Welcome to TAY.
I'm pretty sure you were the folks that used our skin track back up mazama ridge. You had the boarder turned skier if I'm remembering right. I thought the tracks off that ridge were sweet, got two laps on it, second lap my budy and I bombed it, good snow for cruising fast. That climax was a little intimidating, I'm glad nothing slid on anyone that day.
What does God think of the 9-to-5'ers?
We waved at the web camera when we left the car, but only Chapin saw us. Well, Amar will see us too when he does his animated review of the day's photos. Glad I brought my A game, skinning the final 1000' on mostly bulletproof ice with my Manaslus, speed skins, and no crampons required focus for this geezer. Maybe nylon skins would have offered better grip?
Fretting about the big winds forecast for today, and about missing tomorrow because of appointments scheduled a wh...
Fretting about the big winds forecast for today, and about missing tomorrow because of appointments scheduled a wh...
The farting thing is probably a semi voluntary attempt to avoid being the trail breaker. If anyone in MY party has had one of those Tasty Bite meals in a pouch in the last 48 hrs, I'd insist they be caboose or otherwise downwind ... Yegawds.
It's funny too because the skiingthebackcountry.com folks just sent around an admail for their forums that said something about "no more fart stories..."
Good job finding the goods. Haven't yet made it there mys...
It's funny too because the skiingthebackcountry.com folks just sent around an admail for their forums that said something about "no more fart stories..."
Good job finding the goods. Haven't yet made it there mys...
Thanks for the offer to join you guys Tyler, looks like we missed out on some fine skiing.
Although we didn't find the deep pow you guys experienced, we certainly enjoyed our day in the Olympics. :)
And, to the best of my memory, we didn't have to deal with any of the greenhouse gas emissions you describe. ;)
Our sympathies ....................................
Your ski buddy's
Although we didn't find the deep pow you guys experienced, we certainly enjoyed our day in the Olympics. :)
And, to the best of my memory, we didn't have to deal with any of the greenhouse gas emissions you describe. ;)
Our sympathies ....................................
Your ski buddy's
author=CookieMonster link=topic=17807.msg75262#msg75262 date=1288750528]
Spicy writing! I like it.
and ... Welcome to Turns!
Best,
The CookieMonster
\
I'll second that CookieMonster.
Welcome to Turns Susan.
Gary and Jan
Thanks for the kind words!
It's like watching a David Attenborough episode on Planet Earth isn't it.?
" The male Cookiemonster when replying to a female post inhales deeply and exhibits a magnificent display of linguistic dexterity as seen in few species."
Nice job CM. ;D ;D
Looked nice up there today, the mountain looked magnificent on the commute home.
" The male Cookiemonster when replying to a female post inhales deeply and exhibits a magnificent display of linguistic dexterity as seen in few species."
Nice job CM. ;D ;D
Looked nice up there today, the mountain looked magnificent on the commute home.
Spicy writing! I like it.
and ... Welcome to Turns!
Best,
The CookieMonster
**
Würzig Schreiben! Ich mag es.
unt ... Willkommen bei Turns!
Aufrichtig,
Das Krümelmonster
***
Poivré rédaction! Je l'aime.
et ... Bienvenue à Turns!
Sincèrement,
MonstreDeBiscuits
and ... Welcome to Turns!
Best,
The CookieMonster
**
Würzig Schreiben! Ich mag es.
unt ... Willkommen bei Turns!
Aufrichtig,
Das Krümelmonster
***
Poivré rédaction! Je l'aime.
et ... Bienvenue à Turns!
Sincèrement,
MonstreDeBiscuits
I skied all the way back to treeline, the last bit I mostly kept sideslipping and side stepping in few places where I expected rocks. Dan walked the last 250 meters, that photo is about 100 m before the trees. The trail is not skiable, no snow under the trees yet.
Let's hope the snowpack survives the coming warm front, I can't wait to go back.
Let's hope the snowpack survives the coming warm front, I can't wait to go back.
Trip was Oct. 31st. Lots of rain to 6k and above since then...
Looked killer and 5 laps... The white stuff sure is addictive! Where you guys able to make safe turns all the way back to the trees? The last pic looks like maybe yes, maybe no?
My theory on the weak layer: Melt Layer Recrystallization
I think here we have older, wet, and warm snow covered with the newer, colder snow on top, creating some significant temperature gradient, and causing facets to form at the interface between old snow and new snow.
Thanks for the report and other signs of avy activity.
I think here we have older, wet, and warm snow covered with the newer, colder snow on top, creating some significant temperature gradient, and causing facets to form at the interface between old snow and new snow.
Thanks for the report and other signs of avy activity.
I skied Silver Basin on Saturday. Snow level was around ~5000', snowed most of the day, hard at times. Upper basin was pretty wind affected, with areas that had significant deposits and other areas that had obviously been blasted by the wind with sharkfins galore. The lower basin, around and below the knoll was excellent skiing.
Looks like the rain didn't eliminate all of the snow up there, but I imagine we'll need another storm or two to fill it back in.
Looks like the rain didn't eliminate all of the snow up there, but I imagine we'll need another storm or two to fill it back in.
author=chmnyboy link=topic=17792.msg75176#msg75176 date=1288662317]
I vaguely remember hitting a few rocks, Sam breaking a pole, and both Sam and Brian farting a lot, but aside from that it was just sweet sweet fluff until we returned to the car shortly before dusk.
Yup, that pretty much sums it up. I will blame the Haggen sandwich; I assume Sam will blame Panda Express.
Great to get some more October pow turns....
author=nedski link=topic=17780.msg75195#msg75195 date=1288671868]
not to be an alarmist, but I wonder if those caterpillars were for an upcoming chairlift into Bullion?
You're being an alarmist. No.
author=Rusty Knees link=topic=17783.msg75148#msg75148 date=1288639431]
Amen, Brothuh - preach it!
Nice change! Totele! :D
JMiller- Good to hear you were able to experience the goods, as well. I had heard the same in regards to Saturday...
not to be an alarmist, but I wonder if those caterpillars were for an upcoming chairlift into Bullion?
My understanding of a climax slide is one that takes the entire snowpack, so this would qualify.
Here's what I know
Maritime snowpack
Lee loaded slope
trees and cliff faces holding snow
A warming rain event
a steep slope below without anchors.
Here's what I'm unsure of The term "climax avalanche " Would this apply here or is this term reserved for spring.
Might be interesting to see what's up there after today???
Maritime snowpack
Lee loaded slope
trees and cliff faces holding snow
A warming rain event
a steep slope below without anchors.
Here's what I'm unsure of The term "climax avalanche " Would this apply here or is this term reserved for spring.
Might be interesting to see what's up there after today???
author=vogtski link=topic=17747.msg75158#msg75158 date=1288645293]
I wonder about the rain explanation. Was this the only slide that day? Wouldn't rain have likely produced other slides nearby?
If memory serves there may have been one or two surface sloughs of the light overnight deposition but certainly nothing even close to the depth of the one pictured above.
author=vogtski link=topic=1774...
author=natefred]Not related to this situation, but: I thought hoar at the bottom of the pack is the weak layer which typically makes climax slides possible. Forms early season with shallow pack and cold temps, and may persist until additional load results in a slide. Yeah temp's warmer than freezing cause melt, I guess my point was "earth warm, snow cold", they are next to each other and therefore temperature gradient will be quite high. Sure looks l...
author=natefred link=topic=17747.msg75168#msg75168 date=1288652905] Forms early season with shallow pack and cold temps, and may persist until additional load results in a slide.
Yeah temp's warmer than freezing cause melt, I guess my point was "earth warm, snow cold", they are next to each other and therefore temperature gradient will be quite high.
Think the first sentence more applicable to Continental s...
author=CookieMonster link=topic=17747.msg75164#msg75164 date=1288648085]
When I google "wet glide climax", I get a bunch of links that are NSFW!
oops, that's what I meant to imply, you need to add 'avalanche' to stay out of trouble!
Not related to this situation, but: I thought hoar at the bottom of the pack is the weak layer which typically makes climax slides possible. Forms early season...
I hate to slice and dice so much, but I'll try to answer your questions.
I have never heard of this explanation in any literature that I have ever read. If you're curious,...
author=natefred] Earth at some temperature greater than freezing, snow on top of it at some lower temperature, small gaps due to groundcover where crystals have room to grow. Would it have been possible for faceting to occur despite the warm air temps?
I have never heard of this explanation in any literature that I have ever read. If you're curious,...
when I google "wet glide climax" (okay you have to include "avalanche" to get meaningful results..), 1st hit has info about wet slabs being initiated by water percolating to and lubricating an existing weak layer. sure seems like grass or similar vegation makes a good 'weak layer', at least it can be damn slippery when wet. if faceting were an issue probably some other slightly better anchored slopes would have slid?
I'm having a "doh" mome...
I'm having a "doh" mome...
Oldtimers used to call that shallow saddle below Pan Point & the nearby overlook into Edith Basin 'Angel's Landing'. My name for the slope where the slide occured is 'Angel Face'.
I wonder about the rain explanation. Was this the only slide that day? Wouldn't rain have likely produced other slides nearby?
I've noticed over several decades that 'Angel Face' consistently produces large glide cracks each Spring exactly in...
I wonder about the rain explanation. Was this the only slide that day? Wouldn't rain have likely produced other slides nearby?
I've noticed over several decades that 'Angel Face' consistently produces large glide cracks each Spring exactly in...
Did anyone get a look at a similar pit at the same time on the same day on the same aspect at the same elevation? The crown?
There are no substitutes for accurate, precise, and representative observations.
Also, that slope is almost as anchor-free as they get. There's a whole subfield of study on wet glide climax avalanches on smoothly vegetated slopes in Japan.
There are no substitutes for accurate, precise, and representative observations.
Also, that slope is almost as anchor-free as they get. There's a whole subfield of study on wet glide climax avalanches on smoothly vegetated slopes in Japan.