TR Replies
July 9th: better than expected also. Headed down by 10:45 AM. Decent at the top, then got worse maybe ~ 8500-9500, but then it improved into sort a "slurpy-lite" which if you stayed light on your feet, was quite skiable. Even the bottom was not too atrocious. One carry-over on the way up and 3 short carry-overs on the way down, but just barely skiable to the parking lot...that will probably change in the next few days. North facing Tatoosh still looked decent!
Cool stuff Amar, thanks for the report.
Anyone ever call you Amar Animalkar? You are a climbing and skiing animal- meant in a complementary way... It must be nice to be at a level of fitness that allows you to do what you do.
Anyone ever call you Amar Animalkar? You are a climbing and skiing animal- meant in a complementary way... It must be nice to be at a level of fitness that allows you to do what you do.
I passed you on the way down. You looked like you were in a hurry , so we just exchanged quick hellos.
Going up the Interglacier, the boot pack was superb. It is very annoying trying to follow numerous boot packs on snow. Sometimes people just don't have a clue.
Going up the Interglacier, the boot pack was superb. It is very annoying trying to follow numerous boot packs on snow. Sometimes people just don't have a clue.
I was thinking we missed it too but it sounds like we had a much better time of it. Basically we stayed high, well above timber line. We dropped into the big almost flat basin at the bottom and slightly skiers left of the chutes. At the end of that basin was an obvious square shaped notch. We began traversing just above and left of that notch which was above 7000'. We descended as much as possible while traversing SE but had to ascend a few hundred ft total to get over certain terrain which...
Skied the Interglacier on July 8. I'd call it an anti-alpine start. Late to rise that day. All said I found good conditions as was noted in the earlier post. It may have a few good days left. Enjoy.
The couple I talked to didn't say anything about being technical. Even after I said that I'd like to ski it but "wasn't too interested in significant exposure". Its been 35 years since I climbed the Kautz so with my foggy recollection of those much snowier years I just assumed that they descended the entire thing with out removing skis. But I really can't be sure. Any way this report is moot as the temps and weather are changing and the skii...
very cool. I'd like to get down there.
Zap, I would say about 45 minutes of moderate pace walking.
I'm ready for some Sunrise 20 feet of walking though. I think someone may be trying to talk me into walking in Spray Park this weekend. It may be all snow is the same but, in order to get to those certain great spots, feet have to touch some dirt.
Oh, the humanity!
I'm ready for some Sunrise 20 feet of walking though. I think someone may be trying to talk me into walking in Spray Park this weekend. It may be all snow is the same but, in order to get to those certain great spots, feet have to touch some dirt.
Oh, the humanity!
Any idea how technical the ice step is at this point (e.g., did they have to pitch it out/rap on the descent)?
Photos! Route Conditions are over at the oft-forgotten route-conditions page.
author=Zap link=topic=17105.msg72055#msg72055 date=1278699679]
Where are the photos ?
Ask, and ye shall receive!
Hey, no fair. Tavis and I didn't pass out until 13,600 ft. With the 800 or so vertical going up the Turtle by mistake, I call that a summit. :-) Great skiing with you guys.
Indeed the Kautz is ripe for skiing, we accidentally went up the Turtle the night of the 7th en route to the Finger. Saw some people (probably the ones you mention) climbing up it while we were in the Finger. Smooth clean snow, freezing solid at night and warming up mid morning. Perfect corn farming conditions!
Charlie,
Where are the photos ? Work can't be that important now or have you assumed new responsibilities ? ;)
Where are the photos ? Work can't be that important now or have you assumed new responsibilities ? ;)
The bottom photo of Rich has a great background.
Ok, be honest Nick, how far did you walk on dirt before you could begin skinning ? ;)
Ok, be honest Nick, how far did you walk on dirt before you could begin skinning ? ;)
Nice meeting you wolfs.
We watched you climbing out but we didn't fancy climbing again so soon and went for a lower exit. I think you chose well!
Spectacular day and as you say, ski crampons on the headwall felt nice and secure.
We watched you climbing out but we didn't fancy climbing again so soon and went for a lower exit. I think you chose well!
Spectacular day and as you say, ski crampons on the headwall felt nice and secure.
author=GregLange link=topic=17108.msg72008#msg72008 date=1278602020]
Replacement for the Tercel? What is your new chariot??
I joined the crowd; got a Subaru (1995 Legacy.) No more nights in the Tercel Townhouse, I've upgraded to the Subaru Suite, much roomier.
author=GregLange link=topic=17108.msg72008#msg72008 date=1278602020]
Nice pix, and thanks for info on this route. I've ha...
Nice to meet you up there Scotsman, Stewart and Joe.
My third time down the Chutes in last 7 years or so, and was definitely the best conditions this time. I don't think I have ever seen spring/summer snow with a smoother surface, and corn was great consistency til just maybe 400vf above the moraines.
I thought a 7:30 start was just about right for following the softening up the mtn. The wind was blowing pretty hard and pretty cold in the morning, til just above Lunchcounter, clim...
My third time down the Chutes in last 7 years or so, and was definitely the best conditions this time. I don't think I have ever seen spring/summer snow with a smoother surface, and corn was great consistency til just maybe 400vf above the moraines.
I thought a 7:30 start was just about right for following the softening up the mtn. The wind was blowing pretty hard and pretty cold in the morning, til just above Lunchcounter, clim...
author=tlee link=topic=17112.msg72037#msg72037 date=1278640471]
It really doesn't get any better than this! Great meeting you and thanks for introducing us to TAY! Feeling strong after choosing the 6200' exit strategy :)
-Trish, Jill and JJ
Hi girls, sorry if you followed Stewart and I. We went down when we should have gone up!
It was heinous the way we went. Hopefully you found a better way. Nice to meet you...
author=Scotsman link=topic=17112.msg72018#msg72018 date=1278606584]
As you, say take higher exit. ;)
Stewart had to deal with my whinning on the bushwack out.
It did not appear that way as Stewart sat stoically on the ground mentally reviewing the trip out.
author=tlee link=topic=17112.msg72037#msg72037 date=1278640471]
It really doesn't get any better than this! Great mee...
Nice timing. We'll have to join the throngs this weekend. Don't forget to look back and check on your dad every once and awhile, Stewart. You've got the sharp end now.
It really doesn't get any better than this! Great meeting you and thanks for introducing us to TAY! Feeling strong after choosing the 6200' exit strategy :)
-Trish, Jill and JJ
-Trish, Jill and JJ
I'm glad your ski went well. We also had firm conditions right off the Summit. The snow was a bit softer on the Nisqually and the Finger was perfect. The snow was soft enough for great turns with no significant wet slide or rockfall activity. Here are some shots I took along the way.
"Why can't climbers on the Emmons produce a single nice bootpack like they do on the Ingraham Direct and DC??"
ditto .. this even fm a climber ..
ditto .. this even fm a climber ..
Excellent day, and Keith's itinerary made for a great tour. Lots of coverage except on the sunny faces, which are played for continuous skiing back to the car. Fine snow with insignificant snowcups, and a regular breeze kept it less hot than we had feared.
Wish you'd been there, Zap! ;D
Wish you'd been there, Zap! ;D
We left camp at 2am and were the last party to leave. Summitted at 10am, we were slow since we tried to skin for the first 2 hours... The lower portion of the descent had about the right amount of corn, but the middle could have used another hour. Not sure how that's going to translate to this hot weekend, but skiing off the summit at 11am would have been about right for us.
Good luck, have a great climb!
Good luck, have a great climb!
Just amazing looking coverage for July this year!
Looks like a fun day out on the mountain too.
Looks like a fun day out on the mountain too.
What a great day.
That was my fourth time down chutes and I think probably the best consistent corn all the way down.
As you, say take higher exit. ;)
Stewart had to deal with my whinning on the bushwack out. It was role reversal with me asking him " Are we there yet... have you found the trail" over and over again. ;D
Thanks for waiting at the TH for the lost boys to return.
That was my fourth time down chutes and I think probably the best consistent corn all the way down.
As you, say take higher exit. ;)
Stewart had to deal with my whinning on the bushwack out. It was role reversal with me asking him " Are we there yet... have you found the trail" over and over again. ;D
Thanks for waiting at the TH for the lost boys to return.
Great TR, Im heading up this weekend to climb the same route. Curious, what time did you leave camp for the summit? Any suggestions?
Thanks again for the TR.
Thanks again for the TR.
Zap, we thought and talked about you as we followed in the footsteps of greatness! Wished you would have joined us.
Good to see that you guys had a great day at Sunrise. I thought about you guys as I was washing the camper, patching the driveway and getting ready to get the boat out of storage. ;)
Can anyone point me to a "how to get back to the parking lot from the bottom of the SW chutes" discussion previously? I don't do GPS....a marked up topo would be nice! Thanks
author=rnbfish link=topic=17083.msg71986#msg71986 date=1278536914]
SW CHUTES FOR PAM
great meeting you Pam - Shawn & Chris
the chutes were as good as the other reports suggest. buttery @ the top then corn. i pulled out @ the traverse and headed back to my camp - in the moring met joe - carol - mark and dave.. sure there will be a fine report from Joe.
cheers
robert
My son and I were with Joe's group a...
Nice pix, and thanks for info on this route. I've had a few good days using it. Though I've never skied with Tim, his form is quite aesthetic...
Replacement for the Tercel? What is your new chariot??
Replacement for the Tercel? What is your new chariot??
Very nice tracks and marmot. I was imagining that would be as sweet as is looks, while I dinked around the Sunrise area on a much less ambitious outing. Thanks for the report!
author=rong link=topic=17056.msg71821#msg71821 date=1277945127]
... I believe that basin on the west side, or flip side of Barret spur is Wyeast basin...
Yep, absolutely correct. TR corrected to reflect this. Carin is the next one further to the west, I think.
Patchy snow in the forest before Maiden, not much but more than what I've seen in early June of previous years. Moose and Grand are all melted out, but tons of snow on Elk Mt.
take highway 138 towards Roseburg. Cinnamon Butte Rd is the first right west of Diamond Lake. Rd 4793. Continue to the end to Tipsoo Pk trail 1472. Very easy access. If I lived down there I'd try to get there in early to mid June depending on the meltout of the road. Take a bow saw. Seems like every year there's a lodge pole across the road. I think a nice traverse could be made between Tipsoo Pk and Mt Thielsen. One of these days.
Nice! BTW, has anybody done the Hotum/Bolum route this year? Wondering about conditions (like lack of gigantic suncups!!..probably getting too warm now...)
Wow that looks like a great little find...if you don't mind, could you supply some additional access info..coming from highway 97..
Did Mcgloughlin July 2 and had great snow and no mosquitos (unheard of on the second one...)!
Thanks for the report and pictures..
Did Mcgloughlin July 2 and had great snow and no mosquitos (unheard of on the second one...)!
Thanks for the report and pictures..
SW CHUTES FOR PAM
great meeting you Pam - Shawn & Chris
the chutes were as good as the other reports suggest. buttery @ the top then corn. i pulled out @ the traverse and headed back to my camp - in the moring met joe - carol - mark and dave.. sure there will be a fine report from Joe.
cheers
robert
great meeting you Pam - Shawn & Chris
the chutes were as good as the other reports suggest. buttery @ the top then corn. i pulled out @ the traverse and headed back to my camp - in the moring met joe - carol - mark and dave.. sure there will be a fine report from Joe.
cheers
robert
Nice to heat of the still great coverage up there.
Thanks for the reports.
Thanks for the reports.
Pleased to hear that you got through "the bowling alley" without getting whacked. ;)
Andy posted pics on my NWHikers TR
Way to go!
How much snow is there on the trail out to Maiden? Was the visability good enough for you to see Grand Lake and is is fully melted out?
How much snow is there on the trail out to Maiden? Was the visability good enough for you to see Grand Lake and is is fully melted out?
A great day today as well. Followed your tracks up, skied the NW flank, back up then to the ridge to see Rainier in its glory and the blue hues of Rachel lake. Skied the N aspect back to the car with a short carry. It was great to enjoy the solitude with my dog. What a beautiful day it was!
It's definitely been a cool spring and beginning of summer here in the NW. Although today busted above 80, so maybe summers here.
Summit was windy and cool but as soon as we dropped into the chutes it got hot and layers came off.
Forgot to mention one party member decided to go natural and used fir branches for ski poles. Her grin in the chutes was perhaps slightly bigger than most.
Chris, nice work on the annotated photo of our descent. What a ride.
Summit was windy and cool but as soon as we dropped into the chutes it got hot and layers came off.
Forgot to mention one party member decided to go natural and used fir branches for ski poles. Her grin in the chutes was perhaps slightly bigger than most.
Chris, nice work on the annotated photo of our descent. What a ride.