TR Replies
Nice. Did you get a sense of how thick the crust was before getting down into lower density snow?
Nice I'm glad it has finally turned into corn up there. At least for part of the day.
Yeah Amar!! Congrats on your first skin to the summit. Did you celebrate by showing some skin on the summit?
Sweet lines on the north buttress couloir - you guys rock! Got a few pics of you guys coming down - PM me if you want high res versions.
Skin to the summit, ski to the car? NICE!
Moscawulf and I did Alpental a few evenings ago, with similar snow conditions. At Alpy we think they're driving the cats up and down to install new lifty shacks.
We climbed up through Upper International to the top of the chair, then skied down the top 100 ft of breakable crust over mush, the next few hundred feet of pretty good mush, crossed over to Adrenalin, and it was pretty good, then down Lower Nash. Finished in the dark, and had a beer at the bottom sitt...
We climbed up through Upper International to the top of the chair, then skied down the top 100 ft of breakable crust over mush, the next few hundred feet of pretty good mush, crossed over to Adrenalin, and it was pretty good, then down Lower Nash. Finished in the dark, and had a beer at the bottom sitt...
Wow, I had no idea so many people were going to be in AK -- could have made some turns together. Lovely place.
Here's another shot -- rare photo of the back of my head -- looking toward the group of peaks named after birds:
Here's another shot -- rare photo of the back of my head -- looking toward the group of peaks named after birds:
author=Amar Andalkar link=topic=16655.msg69750#msg69750 date=1273791699]
Summary: ... basically unskiable without kick turns, and perhaps the worst ski conditions I've ever encountered in over 400 days of backcountry skiing.
Ouch! Sounds like we need some summerlike weather to take the edge off.
Thanks Amar. Your pics are a big help. As for snow conditions, we'll likely be finding out on Saturday.
Thanks for the report Clem. Good AVY info. I suspect that we are not out of the mush this weekend, with snow levels hovering high. An overnight freeze up higher will help. Keeping the fingers crossed, but a good reminder of the exposed slopes being a bit problematic and keeping a distance on or below them.
author=bigeo link=topic=16638.msg69674#msg69674 date=1273634300">
Care to offer any observations/speculation on Fuhrer Finger conditions?
Well, here's a high-res zoomed photo from that day of Fuhrer Finger, the upper Nisqually Glacier above it, and the uppermost Wilson Glacier below it. Note the large avalanche crown below the cliffs between the Finger and Thumb:
Went up the CD yesterday. In the AM, float was a non issue. Snow was very firm until later in the day. grouse creek approach is still good. travel was easy, and crampons not needed but for the traversy part to the coleman due to splitboard.
roman wall was in great shape, and the best riding. Ski cuts on suspect slopes above tree line generated nothing.
No instability noted, other then below alpine. Mostly rotten snow wanting to drag you into small terrain traps...
roman wall was in great shape, and the best riding. Ski cuts on suspect slopes above tree line generated nothing.
No instability noted, other then below alpine. Mostly rotten snow wanting to drag you into small terrain traps...
A check of the avalanche report would suggest that the new snow of a week or so may become unstable this weekend. They were clear that the deep rotten conditions seen on general south aspects of North Cascade mountains will likely spread to north and shaded aspects of higher elevations through the end of the week and through the weekend. In particular, concern is for the new snow from late April through last week may slide on the rotten snow below.
I was planning to ski He...
I was planning to ski He...
thanks, scotty.
i skied there three weeks ago, and the weather has done A LOT of different things since then. i'm just wondering if anyone has a gauge of how much the snow has consolidated given the warm temps and precip-free conditions we've seen this whole week. thanks again. -v
i skied there three weeks ago, and the weather has done A LOT of different things since then. i'm just wondering if anyone has a gauge of how much the snow has consolidated given the warm temps and precip-free conditions we've seen this whole week. thanks again. -v
author=spionin link=topic=16623.msg69736#msg69736 date=1273772760]
does anyone know how consolidated the snow is right now? (i.e. how essential is flotation for the approach)?
thanks! -veronika
When I was up there on March 20 the snow was pretty deep and soft lower down and pretty hardpack/icy up top. You definitely would have wanted skis, a splitboard, or snowshoes. Almost been two months since then though, so I'm...
does anyone know how consolidated the snow is right now? (i.e. how essential is flotation for the approach)?
thanks! -veronika
thanks! -veronika
Did you find Skibuilders.com to be helpful?
I found them to be the only real source for this kind of hobby. Yes they are helpful, as well as suppliers for most of the materials.
Sweeeet.
Sounds like your new skis were a work to be proud of... nice looking, too.
Did you find Skibuilders.com to be helpful?
Sounds like your new skis were a work to be proud of... nice looking, too.
Did you find Skibuilders.com to be helpful?
Msg sent TTTr. We need to get it on the schedule before the chance melts away.
... We will have to hook during the summer, Telemon, Travertine and Telemack. I will be hitting the volcanoes hard by mid-June. :)
I would change my name to Trusty Knees to be a part of that group of T's... Keep me posted.
Funny how it all works out. We were super confident the day we came into town just to get shut down at 8500" the following morning, and were not at all confident the day we made it to 14000' (hence the decision to try to make it a day trip).
One thing is for sure though. When it is stormy in the WA cascades and you have a few days off, look at the Shasta web cam. We put the trip down there together in about 2 hours over dinner and were gone at...
One thing is for sure though. When it is stormy in the WA cascades and you have a few days off, look at the Shasta web cam. We put the trip down there together in about 2 hours over dinner and were gone at...
I just got home from a 30 day road trip to the Four Corners region, and a month long streak of non skiing. :( Fortunately, I got to ski in early April and I will be skiing this Saturday, so my tay streak in not in jeopardy. We will have to hook during the summer, Travertine and Telemack. I will be hitting the volcanoes hard by mid-June. :)
We saw you guys skiing down the last steep section into the flats from our camp.(I think)
Your turns looked awesome and gave us a good stoke for skiing the next day! :)
Unfortunately the winds howled all night and into the early morning so we slept in and hoped they would die down.
The winds eased a little in the morning but still not enough for the snow to soften up so we decided to head for Lassen and hope for another weather window later in the week.
Turns out the winds fi...
Your turns looked awesome and gave us a good stoke for skiing the next day! :)
Unfortunately the winds howled all night and into the early morning so we slept in and hoped they would die down.
The winds eased a little in the morning but still not enough for the snow to soften up so we decided to head for Lassen and hope for another weather window later in the week.
Turns out the winds fi...
The tree has been removed. You can drive to the road split where the sledders head west, about 1/4 mile from the trailhead.
I am curious about the road access to the trail head. NFS says that snow starts at 7.57 miles. But you stated that a tree stopped you. Roughly how close to the trail head can I get? Also is the tree removable given a home style chain saw?
I am assuming that the snow that the NFS is showing was from the new snow from over a week ago. Earlier reports showed an open road prior to that, so I wonder if that ripe snow is now mostly gone given the current condit...
I am assuming that the snow that the NFS is showing was from the new snow from over a week ago. Earlier reports showed an open road prior to that, so I wonder if that ripe snow is now mostly gone given the current condit...
Ryan, man... in no time you'll be back and we'll shred the white stuff ;) Some steeps would be nice!
Scotsman and I were up on Sunburst/Magnum at Turnagain on Saturday
Then Little Matterhorn at Thompson Pass on Sunday
Then Little Matterhorn at Thompson Pass on Sunday
When we went up we just skinned up, along with the other groups we saw up there too. There weren't any open crevasses yet but some of the bigger ones were getting close. As always I would have to agree that bringing something is better then nothing. We also brought Ice ax and Crampons but never actually needed them due to the nice layer of soft on top. This could have very easily changed this week though with all the sunny weather. With that said I am also guessing that there will be a nice...
Damn over achievers! You're supposed to be lazy like me (and Scott M.) and only ski the couloir itself. Nice one and cool photos! They're great motivation to go back to include that nordwand this spring.
Great TR. The weather seemed to cooperate for most of your trip. It has been an "interesting spring" weatherwise in The Sierra. The "Dweeber" mentioned it may not be over yet.
Nice TR. looks like you had that big beautiful volcano to yourselves. We skiied the West face last memorial day weekend and it was a parade up avy gulch. Maybe two hundred skiiers? Anyway, we had the exact same choice as you at the summit plateau with a split party down below. Funny how once you descend, the summit seems like it was a lot closer...
Very nice picture Kam.
I wish I could have joined you up there. My boss switched my AK trip so he ended up going instead of me. I was bummed out Since I was going to several locations of AK and planned to bring the boards.
Glad you are getting the corn goods and long days!
I wish I could have joined you up there. My boss switched my AK trip so he ended up going instead of me. I was bummed out Since I was going to several locations of AK and planned to bring the boards.
Glad you are getting the corn goods and long days!
Damn Oyvind, when I heal up I'm hangin with you. Beautiful women AND beautiful weather :-) i definitely thought of you all more than once on Sunday. glad you had such a nice time
Sorry i missed the chance to ski with you Doug. Someday perhaps.
And Monika, post some pics from Vesper, will you?
Sorry i missed the chance to ski with you Doug. Someday perhaps.
And Monika, post some pics from Vesper, will you?
Here's links to my photos
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101512
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101522
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101526
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101528
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101544
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101555
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101568
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101578
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101512
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101522
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101526
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101528
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101544
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101555
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101568
http://gallery.me.com/jcocci/101578
Care to offer any observations/speculation on Fuhrer Finger conditions?
Thanks for the detailed report Andy! Looks like a beautiful area and tour, one to note for the future, thanks for sharing. 8) Hopefully we can coordinate time to get a tour in before your trip to Denali.
There could be a good middle ground between no glacier gear and the full roped up deal. On any route that goes over substantial glaciers that could have crevasses, even if crevasses are not in season, I like to bring a minimalist setup that would allow you to resolve many crevasse (or similar) situations but weighs a lot less. Key items are some length of 6 mm cord (yes, you can climb it or haul a person with it but you would not want to do so all day), 1" tubular webbing that c...
Hey sounds like a dope trip. I am hoping to make the summit this coming weekend with my two buddies. My brother and I tried for a summit attempt on March 20, but had to turn back at 10,000 ft due to extreme winds, not bringing crampons, and a bit of exhaustion. Anyway I am hoping to make it to the summit this time. I was wondering what kind of gear you guys brought? Since this is the most recent trip report I have found I am hoping I can get some info on the conditions up there. It's been a...
I'll look at your pix later, but right now I'll just say that the CA Cascades are a great place for a road trip. Shorter access, better weather, and fewer trees (some places) in addition to cool lines on big big ice-cream cones. 8)
You guys remind me that I have Friends All Year. ;D
Thanks to Skiprince for lending a thumb and then waiting. ::) I had my camera in my pack all along---doh.
Doug, we'd love to host you in the Olys; try me Memorial Day, or June but not too early.
James, it's 32 months now. 9/08 made one year, a baby streak but still one month ahead of....never mind. I'll die first and then you have a chance to catch up! June will be tough unless you come over here, but...
Thanks to Skiprince for lending a thumb and then waiting. ::) I had my camera in my pack all along---doh.
Doug, we'd love to host you in the Olys; try me Memorial Day, or June but not too early.
James, it's 32 months now. 9/08 made one year, a baby streak but still one month ahead of....never mind. I'll die first and then you have a chance to catch up! June will be tough unless you come over here, but...
author=jimmyjam link=topic=16516.msg69664#msg69664 date=1273606685]
jcocci: Funny that your wife met Mark and Don; it's a small world. And an airplane wheel falling off on the Vallee Blanche is an incredible story!! There is some history of that actually. I believe an Air India Super-Conti crashed onto Mt. Blanc in the 50s. There is a wheel from that crash in the Museum in Chamonix. I look forward to seeing your photos...
Thanks for everyone's nice comments. I was home for exactly one week and then flew BACK to Geneva for work. Crazy. I love Europe as much as the next guy but it's good to be home. At least I wasn't stranded by the volcano again.
Lowell: Thanks for the nice note. Hope all is well with you and your family.
jcocci: Funny that your wife met Mark and Don; it's a small world. And an airplane wheel falling off on the Vallee Blanche is an incredible story...
Lowell: Thanks for the nice note. Hope all is well with you and your family.
jcocci: Funny that your wife met Mark and Don; it's a small world. And an airplane wheel falling off on the Vallee Blanche is an incredible story...
After 16200 vert in 3 days
Spectacular! Great reports, you really took advantage of the weather window! I'll definitely have to keep the turtle in mind.
author=sheispiste link=topic=16627.msg69593#msg69593 date=1273471545]
....
thanks mom. miss you!
...
Nice tribute, and thanks for the reflection ~ my mom's long gone, but she's still here and still rocks.. :)
Indeed -- them's good people. And Andy does nice work in the editing booth, yup yup.
I saw you guys on top of early winter spires on 4/30, that looks like such a great line and such an awesome place to be on a day like that. Good work!