TR Replies
Thanks for the excellent report. This Fall I heard about the yurt. Jill and I were thinking of a trip there in April on our way to Tahoe and the Eastern Sierra.
Since Steve's first report, we have skied Champex and Les Merricotes -- two tiny areas with access to incredible backcountry above the top lift. For a Randonee pass of from 10 to 13 Swiss France. There has been only an inch or two of new snow since last Saturday, but we have been able sniff out the deposit zones and ski boot deep pow. These little areas with RAndonee access are thre jewels of La Suisse. The gods willing, I will try to coax this Internet Cafe French keyboard into...
Sweet! Anxious to ski this area, thanks for the report!
author=runningclouds link=topic=15902.msg66610#msg66610 date=1268382964]
Thanks Jeff. I have seen that report. July seems a bit too late, too much hiking. I was thinking about skiing it in April. Any idea where the snow line might be at that time of the year? What kind of snowpack are you having this year? Is it lower that average? Thanks
First of all Tony, great TR and nice pictures, Eagle Pt is one of our favorite day trips. The...
You'll have to ask Todd - he's the tele-skier w/the goggle/sunglasses combo..... ;)
Hey Stoudema, how can ya rip the steeps with those goggles so far up on your helmet?
author=runningclouds link=topic=15922.msg66596#msg66596 date=1268356376]
I have always wanted to go backcountry in Manning but never got around to it.
How is the snow cover this year? Is it low like the North Shore and Coquihalla?
I assume that you looked at the link for additional pictures. We didn't have issues with snow coverage on the routes that we took, but it should be obvious from the photos that lower, especially sou...
Thanks Jeff. I have seen that report. July seems a bit too late, too much hiking. I was thinking about skiing it in April. Any idea where the snow line might be at that time of the year? What kind of snowpack are you having this year? Is it lower that average? Thanks
I am planing a trip for next year.
The guides said this year due to low snow the sleds have been getting as far as Harts pass. We did hear one sled in the distance on Saturday when we were at our southern most point of the whole trip, but according to the guides they can't get any closer due to private property and gates.
Yes, I have a ton of photos. Here's a few more. This place was phenomenal! I'm going back.
author=runningclouds link=topic=15902.msg66597#msg66597 date=1268356665]
Any experience with skiing Mt. Olympus in the spring?
There's a Mt. Olympus TR from July '08 at http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=10726.0
Even if you're strong (or crazy?) enough to do it in 24 hours the way Dan did, I suggest spending a few days on it. The Hoh valley is a beautiful place...
I climbed the Throne 3 times and had face shots down the chutes where the wind deposited snow was deep and sweet and provided face shots.
Did the upper Campbell Traverse through the gate to the south face of Avalanche Basin where there was sytrofoam snow about 5 inches deep. Very unstable. The wind was just rolling it down the mountain so that the slope was in constant motion. DFF was covered with the stuff and it made for great skiing.
Did the upper Campbell Traverse through the gate to the south face of Avalanche Basin where there was sytrofoam snow about 5 inches deep. Very unstable. The wind was just rolling it down the mountain so that the slope was in constant motion. DFF was covered with the stuff and it made for great skiing.
Too bad the Olympics are too far from Vancouver, BC for a weekend trip.
The mountains looks quite cool in your pictures. Any experience with skiing Mt. Olympus in the spring?
The mountains looks quite cool in your pictures. Any experience with skiing Mt. Olympus in the spring?
I have always wanted to go backcountry in Manning but never got around to it.
How is the snow cover this year? Is it low like the North Shore and Coquihalla?
How is the snow cover this year? Is it low like the North Shore and Coquihalla?
Two of us were doing laps in Cement Basin off of East Peak. We only had to share our favorite lines with one other couple. More than enough boot top stable powder on a firm crust to go around. ;D
Over 6k' of sweet late winter touring. Not bad for an 11:30 start. Would love to be getting more today.
Stupid work. >:(
Over 6k' of sweet late winter touring. Not bad for an 11:30 start. Would love to be getting more today.
Stupid work. >:(
Yeah - everything but the 30 foot cornice huck on the top! We didn't linger under that thing for too long though!
That looks great - thanks for the report! Did you guys ski the steep face of the rim directly above the lake?
author=jcocci link=topic=15927.msg66554#msg66554 date=1268271178]
Thanks for the report. I will be there in a few weeks to do the Haute Route, but we are planning on doing the Vallee Blanche run beforehand. We'll be in Chamonix for 2-3 days before we start. So does the coverage seem to be OK? Were you able to tell at all? Is roping up to get to the snow for this run always necessary or is it because of snowpack. Either way is fine just wondering if its lo...
Thanks for the TR. We saw you in the AM and wondered what you were after.
Nice day to be out. Did you notice all of the tracks on the Muir?
I was looking at the 2nd pic thinking that that looked like a good bootpack and how nice it must have been when I wondered: Who is carring your skis?
Nice day to be out. Did you notice all of the tracks on the Muir?
I was looking at the 2nd pic thinking that that looked like a good bootpack and how nice it must have been when I wondered: Who is carring your skis?
and a couple of more pics for the record:
Tracing our route on TOPO from SR. 410 at the Morse Cr. Rd. to Pickhandle Pt. makes it look like ~2500 ft. in about 3 miles. A very reasonable approach to some outstanding ski terrain. We will be back!
pc
pc
Nice pics!
The "Needles" of which Mount Deception (peak on the left) is considered a part, are the highest collective group of peaks and spires in Olympic National Park. Mount Deception (7788) is the second highest peak next to Mount Olympus. Mount Mystery is on the right. This region offers some good climbing and turns if you're willing to hike for it!
The zoom photo from Eagle Peak makes it look like Deception is just a stones throw...
The "Needles" of which Mount Deception (peak on the left) is considered a part, are the highest collective group of peaks and spires in Olympic National Park. Mount Deception (7788) is the second highest peak next to Mount Olympus. Mount Mystery is on the right. This region offers some good climbing and turns if you're willing to hike for it!
The zoom photo from Eagle Peak makes it look like Deception is just a stones throw...
Agreed, good decision and good writing!
Creative use of terrain, east-siders. What was the distance/time of the skin from the road to the ridge meet-up?
Hi SquakMtn,
I assume you flew in but do you know if the Harts Pass road is open? Last few years in spring it's been plowed to Cache Creek to allow the sleds to get in.
I assume you flew in but do you know if the Harts Pass road is open? Last few years in spring it's been plowed to Cache Creek to allow the sleds to get in.
author=unclebo link=topic=15902.msg66524#msg66524 date=1268239621]
We were thinking of heading out that way in a couple of weeks - what did the north sides look like?
Very un-tracked to be sure, but you'd want to check stability as normal. There was about 6 inches of wind affected consolidated powder that was not well bonded. But in a week, my guess is it would all be good depending on what happens between now and...
Well Silas, nothing much I can add, you summed it up just about perfectly.
All I can say is Pico and I had so much fun coming up from our side of the hills to meet you guys on the top of the ridge and ski a few runs with you! We were grinning on how easy and short the approach via Morse Creek was. Felt like a century ago the last time I was up Morse Creek.
Well, I guess that's because it was!
I am surprised to hear your exit was about as challenging as ours. On t...
All I can say is Pico and I had so much fun coming up from our side of the hills to meet you guys on the top of the ridge and ski a few runs with you! We were grinning on how easy and short the approach via Morse Creek was. Felt like a century ago the last time I was up Morse Creek.
Well, I guess that's because it was!
I am surprised to hear your exit was about as challenging as ours. On t...
Good one.
Q: What's the best place for a bamboo wand?
A: Strapped to your pack on a bluebird day. :D
Q: What's the best place for a bamboo wand?
A: Strapped to your pack on a bluebird day. :D
Is this yurt in Barron, the old mining town?
If it is, is there some old dude who lives there year round trying to still get gold?
If it is, is there some old dude who lives there year round trying to still get gold?
Thanks for the snow pack analysis, good information! Beautiful pics! Hero snow, uh? Good call!
I tthink you guys made the right decision!
Thanks for the report. I will be there in a few weeks to do the Haute Route, but we are planning on doing the Vallee Blanche run beforehand. We'll be in Chamonix for 2-3 days before we start. So does the coverage seem to be OK? Were you able to tell at all? Is roping up to get to the snow for this run always necessary or is it because of snowpack. Either way is fine just wondering if its low snow or not. Thanks. Hope we have better weather than you. :)
I've done that a couple of times, in fact it was my 1st BC trip about 11 years ago and I got lucky with cold temps, powder like I'd never seen before (Scotland not known for such conditions) and blue skys. Climbed up the ridge far side of the Mer de Glace for what I still consider as my fav all time run.
Subsequent trips we were weather skunked which included a helicopter crashing and taking out one of the cable cars!
Thanks for bringing back memories.
Subsequent trips we were weather skunked which included a helicopter crashing and taking out one of the cable cars!
Thanks for bringing back memories.
Sorry you didn't get it. Skiing that run was one of my goals when I lived in Europe for 7 years. I spent many months in and around Chamonix, but almost all of it was summer climbing. The one Chrismas I was there was terrible snow, so I never got down it. Gives us both a reason to return!
Third photo = excellent!
Do you have more photographs from your trip?
Do you have more photographs from your trip?
Here are some pics. Beautiful day, huh?
The crust seemed to dissapear on NE facing slopes above 5500 feet.
Brian,
Glad to hear that you had a safe "roundtrip". The more time you spend touring the more you realize that knowing when to turn around and retrace your route is a critical decision to make. The mountains rarely move, so they'll be there in the future.
I've skied the Valle Blanche a few times under clear and sunny conditions and it is a memorable photo ski.
Glad to hear that you had a safe "roundtrip". The more time you spend touring the more you realize that knowing when to turn around and retrace your route is a critical decision to make. The mountains rarely move, so they'll be there in the future.
I've skied the Valle Blanche a few times under clear and sunny conditions and it is a memorable photo ski.
You can resize them with any photo editing software. IrfanView is a good one and it's free.
You can also put them on Picasa or Flickr and just link them using the IMG tag.
If you'd like to add a few, feel free to send them to my email address and I'll take care of it for you.
Nice TR, by the way! Thanks for putting it up.
You can also put them on Picasa or Flickr and just link them using the IMG tag.
If you'd like to add a few, feel free to send them to my email address and I'll take care of it for you.
Nice TR, by the way! Thanks for putting it up.
Thanks guys, on such a gorgeous day and such a beautiful place, taking good pictures is as easy as it gets. Now naming the peaks, that took some time, was fun too. Just had to put it on my list of things to do, then it feels like I'm being productive when I cross it off.
We were thinking of heading out that way in a couple of weeks - what did the north sides look like?
Sadly Emma, the beer is not a priority here, it is all about the local wine, cheeses and sausages which are almost as good as yours.
The snow coverage is a little below average with many areas blown out but Toby has guided us into some great stashes.
The snow coverage is a little below average with many areas blown out but Toby has guided us into some great stashes.
I'm fairly certain it was almost due east, but didn't take the compass out to check for sure. We were on top of Eagle Point and I think those are the north and south brothers. I'd like to ski the south brother, so I took that shot, but the north brother looks doable too.
Took the photo with a 300x Nikon lens. Thx,
Took the photo with a 300x Nikon lens. Thx,
not really. lots of hand pits, that showed the top layer of snow (0-8") was wind deposited/scoured and was typically light and non-cohesive. Up near the summit ridge, there was some small pockets of reactive wind slab that were sliding on the hard layer.
sorry, i didn't do any crystal id or full pits. The ice layer (1F+) was about 2" thick at most hand pits with a 4F layer below.
sorry, i didn't do any crystal id or full pits. The ice layer (1F+) was about 2" thick at most hand pits with a 4F layer below.
Hi John Morrow!
It was only my second time ever on a crosscountry ski course. I did not understand what you were talking about as it took me five plus hours to finish, and I expected it to be sloppy.
It was only my second time ever on a crosscountry ski course. I did not understand what you were talking about as it took me five plus hours to finish, and I expected it to be sloppy.
author=John_Morrow link=topic=15786.msg66475#msg66475 date=1268153245]
The most hazardous part of the entire route... ...had both the skate lane and track set severely chopped up by the snowmobiles by 10:30 AM. I objectively and honestly b...