TR Replies
I went to Mowich solo on Sat and was able to hook up with Cass. Thanks for the pics Cass, and the company. Such great snow. I had to pass on the Flett headwall, but Cass claims it skied pretty well. Here's a few of my pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/112125605918782363443/100717RusselGlacier71710#
I mostly used skins on this tour so didn't get much use of the waxless base. They're a bit of a compromise on the down, but no problems on this kind of hero...
YEaaah, pontoons in July. I like your style.
Couple of pics (courtesy of Dave Menz)
author=~Link~ link=topic=17190.msg72358#msg72358 date=1279560882]
I've yet to book the Hummel Bros for a tour ::), although we did run into their father, amongst a few others, upon our lunch break in Spray Park.
You run into these Hummels everywhere we came across Hummel Dad (Kurt) and son Josh at Capitol Forest last week, thanks for the invite looked like a good tour.
Cass-
Nice pictures of Mike on the wax...
Nice work Brian. Welcome to summer time snow sports.
Heya Brian- Great day on the Russell indeed! Possibly the best corn I've skied this year! I think we saw you on our descent (were you in the group of 3 snowboarders heading down just after 4pm?). The Flett Headwall was in good shape too (more sun-cupped than the Russell, but soft enough to hold an edge well).
http://picasaweb.google.com/chriscass1/MountRainierRussellFlettGlaciersSkiOutingJuly172010?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm6rqLE-8W4jwE#
http://picasaweb.google.com/chriscass1/MountRainierRussellFlettGlaciersSkiOutingJuly172010?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm6rqLE-8W4jwE#
Sounds like a good day; patience pays off? I really like the third photo, which captures the feel of dropping that crazy knife edge.
I am. Thank you Julie. Next up, Adams in two weeks, and planning to summit Rainier next year when he is nine. He's pretty excited.
Gary, years ago, some friends and I would regularily hike/climb the Brothers Peak (which marks the SE corner of the Park). I recall seeing terrain on N and NE aspects that would seem to hold good lines. Have you (or any other locals) skiied the vicinity, and in general what is the potential for touring/turns in the ONP besides Olympus proper (long slog) and the north end?
That is so cool, Chris! You must be pretty proud of him!
Julie
Julie
Great trip and report, Gary. Rare ski tracks on that mountain.
author=Zap link=topic=17190.msg72357#msg72357 date=1279553892]
Brian,
Glad to see that your "sore foot" was able to carry you for the 20 mile adventure.
So where's the photo of you or Eric or Jason trenching big GS turns in soft corn snow while ripping down the glacier ? ;)
I've yet to book the Hummel Bros for a tour ::), although we did run into their father, amongst a few others...
Brian,
Glad to see that your "sore foot" was able to carry you for the 20 mile adventure.
So where's the photo of you or Eric or Jason trenching big GS turns in soft corn snow while ripping down the glacier ? ;)
Glad to see that your "sore foot" was able to carry you for the 20 mile adventure.
So where's the photo of you or Eric or Jason trenching big GS turns in soft corn snow while ripping down the glacier ? ;)
yep! I was successful in getting all the way across without sinking. I wish I had my EP Pro's for it though :)
Thanks for the visuals Mike. We will be up there this week FOR SURE!!! Did you make it out of the pond above water?
I also took the Paradise glacier today because of Amar's report. Didn't descend that way because I wanted to ski the Nisqually chute, which is still in great condition. I also managed to traverse from alta vista back to my car in Paradise valley completely on snow. Very nice!
Fine report as usual Amar. Took this suggestion to heart Sunday.
Drizzle most of the drive down this morning but sun started peeking out at Longmire. Fully out at TH. Continuous snow still holding out for today. Had to take about 10 steps off the road before snow. This may just make the Zap-O-meter threshold.
I tried the little ridge separating the upper Paradise GL from Camp Muir. Very pronounced cups and runnels so not recommended. But nice viewpoint away from the hordes....
Drizzle most of the drive down this morning but sun started peeking out at Longmire. Fully out at TH. Continuous snow still holding out for today. Had to take about 10 steps off the road before snow. This may just make the Zap-O-meter threshold.
I tried the little ridge separating the upper Paradise GL from Camp Muir. Very pronounced cups and runnels so not recommended. But nice viewpoint away from the hordes....
Last night returning from Little Tahoma Chris and I skied from 9000' on the Cowlitz to the parking lot (almost); short carry around Pan point. Snow was icy higher up at 9pm but nicely skiable. N
WOW! I'm jealous.
I just hope that in 2 or 3 years I can get my 6 year old daughter to participate (willingly) on a similar adventure. Right now she's a long way off from being able to make it up to Muir.
I just hope that in 2 or 3 years I can get my 6 year old daughter to participate (willingly) on a similar adventure. Right now she's a long way off from being able to make it up to Muir.
Thanks for the report Amar!
Read your report at 10:00am left the car a little before 2:00 and skied down around 6:00.
AAA Gully was a little bumpy but the Paradise was nice and smooth ;D
Here is some video from the Paradise if anyone is interested in the conditions...
http://www.vholdr.com/node/98465
Read your report at 10:00am left the car a little before 2:00 and skied down around 6:00.
AAA Gully was a little bumpy but the Paradise was nice and smooth ;D
Here is some video from the Paradise if anyone is interested in the conditions...
http://www.vholdr.com/node/98465
Good to meet and ski with you Zack. A couple of excellent days in the BC. Good times!
July not June i hope :)
Sounds like the same conditions we had last week though! Glad to hear the snow is holding up fairly well
Sounds like the same conditions we had last week though! Glad to hear the snow is holding up fairly well
It was just as awesome today. Tons of great people around, and hero corn all the way to bottom of Flett headwall.
Anything opening up on the PG?
Thanks for sharing your report, it looked great and surprisingly filled in all the way back to the car.
Thanks for sharing your report, it looked great and surprisingly filled in all the way back to the car.
author=Rusty Knees link=topic=17175.msg72317#msg72317 date=1279351417]
Bless me father, for I have skinned.
That would be great on the back of a shirt with Telemon's, "Git down brothers and sisters of the church of telemark" on the front.
Looked like a nice ski thanks for sharing.
Nice, Amar! We were looking wistfully at the Paradise yesterday - but dangit, you just can't be everywhere at once!
author=Snow Bell link=topic=17164.msg72302#msg72302 date=1279318593]
Looks like a great trip G&J!
And Gary, bringing skis for yourself and none for your lovely bride? Chivalry is dead.
Joe,
Yes, we did have a great time, good company made the miles go by quickly, both on the trip in and on the way out. :)
Regarding my capabilities as a Sherpa, I had enough trouble sleeping last night after reading Telem...
Congratulations on a successful trip! That is quite a haul with skis!
Hiked the Snow Lake Melakwa Loop...(with one car)
The backwards camera needs to be over the pack... Should be good in the resort without a pack! La Nina!
Skinned from the parking lot to the Nisqually on Wed. (with one short carry thanks to wolfs lower parking lot report)
Skiing was good from the top and excellent skiers right of the gully.
Let's go skiing in August!
The backwards camera needs to be over the pack... Should be good in the resort without a pack! La Nina!
Skinned from the parking lot to the Nisqually on Wed. (with one short carry thanks to wolfs lower parking lot report)
Skiing was good from the top and excellent skiers right of the gully.
Let's go skiing in August!
- checking your report, I know one of the reasons the corn was so ripe up top on Shasta, is that the weather kept staying cool through June. the other reason is the elevation. nice report - I was jealous. I'm down on Lassen where the top is nearly 4,000 ft less. the suncups are usually about 4-6 inches, in early July, except for the NE chutes. but they usually start getting some cup action also. on this side, I climb up what I skied, do another lap, then get to ski the S. side. ...
Great TR. Love the descriptive commentary. For a moment their I felt like a kid again; manifesting architectural-marvels with Legos and playing with GI-Joes, all the while sputtering out verbal explosion sounds... Might have to rethink my weekend... Rad.
Looks like a great trip G&J!
I have not yet exhausted some of the closer in options as to be compelled to do that one quite yet. ;)
And Gary, bringing skis for yourself and none for your lovely bride? Chivalry is dead.
I can't believe that you guys were willing to pose for the last group shot upon your return before dumping the packs. I can only assume that I would have been dragging mine once in sight of the paved trail.
I have not yet exhausted some of the closer in options as to be compelled to do that one quite yet. ;)
And Gary, bringing skis for yourself and none for your lovely bride? Chivalry is dead.
I can't believe that you guys were willing to pose for the last group shot upon your return before dumping the packs. I can only assume that I would have been dragging mine once in sight of the paved trail.
author=wolfs link=topic=17169.msg72298#msg72298 date=1279307693]
watching party of 5 descend Edmunds Headwall, around 3:30. Seriously bad ass
We met them in the parking lot---sure hope they do a TR!
I was the solo skier you met (hi!)
I also didn't get any higher than the 9400 point. Too tired and too late in the day. The sun hadn't been doing the snowpack any favors.
Like Amar, I've been up on Flett Russell a lot in the last decade or two. Unlike Amar I don't think yesterday's trip was necessarily the best ever. (I have been to that 10K ridgecrest and high part of headwall that
I also didn't get any higher than the 9400 point. Too tired and too late in the day. The sun hadn't been doing the snowpack any favors.
Like Amar, I've been up on Flett Russell a lot in the last decade or two. Unlike Amar I don't think yesterday's trip was necessarily the best ever. (I have been to that 10K ridgecrest and high part of headwall that
author=JimD link=topic=17168.msg72293#msg72293 date=1279302123">
Great day Silas. I hope you guys have fun up there somewhere today too. My TR with pics at NWH.
Fine visuals as usual, Jim. I love the blowdown "over- and- under" shots. Now you only need photos of the "around" and "through" methods. ::)
Great day Silas. I hope you guys have fun up there somewhere today too. My TR with pics at NWH.
Very Nice!
I skied your exact line from it's highpoint on Saturday, even committing the same folly of heading to Knapsack pass first. I was able to ski down the back side after dropping ~50 ft and I believe skin straight across the melted out section of Spray Park in your picture, so it is definitely going quick on the flats of Spray park.
I skied your exact line from it's highpoint on Saturday, even committing the same folly of heading to Knapsack pass first. I was able to ski down the back side after dropping ~50 ft and I believe skin straight across the melted out section of Spray Park in your picture, so it is definitely going quick on the flats of Spray park.
Thanks for the TR. I was also in the area, and was happy to meet Telemack, Keith, et al, in the parking lot. (People carrying skis in July always introduce themselves to each other.)
I took the summer trail. Well into Spray Park, I ditched hiking boots and skinned continuously to the base of the Flett headwall, then crossed the north ridge of Observation Rock, then doubled back to my high point on a shoulder of Observation. I’m guessing it was the two of you I was following up the Fl...
I took the summer trail. Well into Spray Park, I ditched hiking boots and skinned continuously to the base of the Flett headwall, then crossed the north ridge of Observation Rock, then doubled back to my high point on a shoulder of Observation. I’m guessing it was the two of you I was following up the Fl...
author=Amar Andalkar link=topic=17170.msg72281#msg72281 date=1279260566]...
Flett Glacier, Russell Glacier, and lower Ptarmigan Ridge to 10300 ft
We were grateful to have a nice well-constructed trail for the exit, despite the numerous exhausting ups-and-downs along its poorly designed route which add at least 500 extra ft of gain to the hike out, and the 3 miles back to Mowich Lake went by quickly in just over an hour.
Great trip!
Thanks for the report and inspiration - there is more to Russell than I thought.
Pavel
Thanks for the report and inspiration - there is more to Russell than I thought.
Pavel
Cool. Thanks for the report and great pics. I love the larger version of those ski tracks on Liberty ridge!
We were up near there one year and watched a boxcar size ice break off and crash down onto the carbon.What a commotion! Thanks for the report Amar. I almost always take the std. trail and stash some beers and canned pineapple in the last stream before the switchbacks. It makes that 500' gain on return more palatable. You mentioned jet boil. What we have done is one person pack a water filter and refill at waterfall pools on flett.
Nice tour, Amar. Follows the pattern of this spring/summer: weak/no snow low, lots up high. Did you boot up Mt. Pleasant? If so Keith and I folowed your line, sort of. We noticed how fat the Russell was up high. Last summer the Russell was a rock-toss from Jeff's line to the ridge. Spray Park Trail is definitely the way in for 2010.
Didn't know you ever went that LOW. :)
Didn't know you ever went that LOW. :)
You fockin' rock! A classic in any era... and bravely done. Here's to going down what most people only go up! 8)
author=telemack link=topic=17164.msg72259#msg72259 date=1279215212]
Nice one---you hit the very start of the hot clear weather. Did you know that all those months ago? ;)
Your vertical Joy-O-Meter was OK, but I shudder to calculate the ratio of v.f. divided by h.f.!
Thanks Mack,
If our crystal ball was that good, we'd be buying lottery tickets instead of planning our mountain travels. ;D Chalk it up to pure luc...
Some buds and I skied this tour both Sunday and today (thanks for the tip regarding the "money shot". Robie). What a difference in the snowpack. On Sunday we were able to keep skins on from just above Frozen lake all the way out to 3rd Burroughs. Today the snow ridge/sort of cornice between 1st and 2nd is discontinuous, there is a now snowfree rock band just past 2nd Burroughs, climbing to 3rd requires careful navigation to stay on snow, and the final curving slot up to the summit of 3...