TR Replies
Slalok's Stonecrop Face was one of the highlights of my 07-08 ski season. Top to bottom blower pow!!! Brings back good memories. Nice job.
noiyce, looks a little bony in your picture, global warming i guess eh?
nice descriptions!
gotta love "that damn wind" of the front range.
gotta love "that damn wind" of the front range.
Awesome Allyson -- Squeak's a cutie. Spray some Pam (not the butter flavored kind) on those dingleberry spots and he won't have as many hangers-on.
author=acarey link=topic=15092.msg63169#msg63169 date=1262965014] I wanted to try my Manaslus in hard stuff and they worked fine.
They are impressive on the hard stuff, that's what sold me on them at Marmot Demo Night last January riding bulletproof courderoy. Great ski, and sooo light!
author=Robie link=topic=15092.msg63143#msg63143 date=1262912470]
See those old tuas woulda worked just fine.
Bring us some powder and then I'll grant you your new skis work best!
I actually wished I had them (or my snowwolfs) but I wanted to try my Manaslus in hard stuff and they worked fine. Narrower, stiffer skis, would have been nicer; the rockered tip on the Manaslus makes for some unexpectedly sharp turns.
not according to the thermometer in my truck; it seems the weather statiion has been reading much higher than my truck thermometer lately, which generally agrees with my weather station at home. But compare NWAC with SNOTEL (its 300 ft lower).
Temp peaked at SNOTEL at 2 p.m. at 37 then dropped quickly
Temp peaked at SNOTEL at 2 p.m. at 37 then dropped quickly
FYI, the end of rd. 38 puts you at a point where you can see Grouse Ridge. Didn't seem clear to me reading sb's post...
Was it really 46 degrees up there at 2PM as the Paradise telemetry reports?
1-7-2010
Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center
Paradise, Mt Rainier National Park, Washington
MM/DD Hour Temp RH Wind Wind Wind Hour Total 24 Hr Total
PST F % Avg Max Dir Prec. Prec. Snow Snow
5550' 5550' 5500' 5500' 5500' 5550' 5550' 5550' 5550'
------------------...
1-7-2010
Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center
Paradise, Mt Rainier National Park, Washington
MM/DD Hour Temp RH Wind Wind Wind Hour Total 24 Hr Total
PST F % Avg Max Dir Prec. Prec. Snow Snow
5550' 5550' 5500' 5500' 5500' 5550' 5550' 5550' 5550'
------------------...
We could drive almost to the snowmobilers turnoff at Rd 36 just short of the Heliotrope trailhead. Yes Dave Heinbach is the one. Yes, I have been up Rd 38 to where you could look at Marmot Ridge. I'd like to go up there again for a longer trip.
See those old tuas woulda worked just fine.
Bring us some powder and then I'll grant you your new skis work best!
Bring us some powder and then I'll grant you your new skis work best!
author=Woz link=topic=15090.msg63129#msg63129 date=1262898894]
The end of the day provided a good view of a big slab release on Happy face, adjacent to a line of fresh tracks. Not sure if it was expert route finding and snow analysis or luck, but way to survive!
Hey, thanks for the photo! Mine line started farthest lookers right.
I'd say mostly route finding and analysis... but luck probably played a b...
Good pic. I was up there early last year after a cycle and you could have taken the same shot, it was the exact same location and about a 2-ft crown.
Looks like the skiers chose wisely, I wonder if they remote triggered it...? The crown is located at a slope break that is just a few degrees steeper and with similar anchors to where the ski tracks are.
Looks like the skiers chose wisely, I wonder if they remote triggered it...? The crown is located at a slope break that is just a few degrees steeper and with similar anchors to where the ski tracks are.
dave haunback? not sure how to spell his last name...
I'm thinking about heading up that way soon. Really wish it would snow first though!!!
Have you ever been up the back side of Marmot Ridge via Road #38? and found those two small ponds? Google earth it... Might do that tomorrow, south side stuff in the sun. We shall see....
I'm thinking about heading up that way soon. Really wish it would snow first though!!!
Have you ever been up the back side of Marmot Ridge via Road #38? and found those two small ponds? Google earth it... Might do that tomorrow, south side stuff in the sun. We shall see....
Good job on the recon Jay.
Sorry the snow didn't cooperate better for you but it is a week day. Everyone know that the snow sucks midweek. Now that you have some more free time you had better learn about that. ;)
Sorry the snow didn't cooperate better for you but it is a week day. Everyone know that the snow sucks midweek. Now that you have some more free time you had better learn about that. ;)
Hey Gary and Jan;
Awesome trip; we had discussed doing those glades when we did elk last June. How long did this take you? The ascent out of Little River where the "whomphing..." took place looks steeper than I would have expected.
Great report!
Awesome trip; we had discussed doing those glades when we did elk last June. How long did this take you? The ascent out of Little River where the "whomphing..." took place looks steeper than I would have expected.
Great report!
How far were you able to drive, and how were driving conditions?
Well lets just say I have made it a little more personable out there...its better to just suprise you ! And AK..we will just have to show you the waterhole sometime ! I am taking the Avy classes from Thurs - Sun. Should be good times ! Just a few pics from last weekend
I'm clearly missing something, I assumed that your 1500m peaks were comparable to our 5000ft peaks... I clearly didn't convert for the latitude change. ;D
oops.
oops.
That's interesting. I consider these to be somewhat impressive feats:
*driving from downtown Seattle (HONK) to the Alpental lot in 45 minutes
*comparing the terrain at Snoqualmie Pass to the terrain found an equal distance up 99.
Maybe you could further educate me. I used to live in Seattle, but I was too busy to really take advantage of the local touring opportunities.
;) (<= this winky is dedicated to the honorable markharf; I know he...
*driving from downtown Seattle (HONK) to the Alpental lot in 45 minutes
*comparing the terrain at Snoqualmie Pass to the terrain found an equal distance up 99.
Maybe you could further educate me. I used to live in Seattle, but I was too busy to really take advantage of the local touring opportunities.
;) (<= this winky is dedicated to the honorable markharf; I know he...
glad to see you, or anybody, getting some good touring in. thanks for the report. can't wait to get up there to feast N of the border...
author=Marcus link=topic=15041.msg63011#msg63011 date=1262725753]
If you drive with your ski boots on you can get to the Slot in 40 minutes.
yeah, but I like to have my boots already in my bindings so they're ready to go when I hit the trailhead
If you drive with your ski boots on you can get to the Slot in 40 minutes.
author=trees4me link=topic=15046.msg63004#msg63004 date=1262723805]
You think we can get a deal on a group order on those jerseys...?
Crested Butte locals all willingly discouraged anyone from posting or describing the backcountry routes in detail or publishing guidebooks. It was quite secretive. They all said: "you'll have to get a local to show you around". But of course, none of the locals wanted to show any old noob to the area arou...
author=skykilo link=topic=15041.msg63006#msg63006 date=1262724912]
Look at it from a broader perspective. Do you realize how far the hordes in the Puget Sound need to drive to get to decent skiing!?
...the slot's about 45min from downtown seattle. I suppose everyone in BC just rolls out of bed and into their ski boots? ::)
I hear you, *stoked*. Personally, I don't take a lot of stock in the North Shore mountains (character flaw of mine?); a little extra driving or *hiking* isn't much of an added carbon footprint compared to, eg, the olympic games; finally, I'm guilty of being an optimist. I'll pour out a little liquor in honor of your added mileage tonight.
Look at it from a broader perspective. Do you realize how far the hordes in the Puget Sound need to drive to g...
Look at it from a broader perspective. Do you realize how far the hordes in the Puget Sound need to drive to g...
You think we can get a deal on a group order on those jerseys...?
Crested Butte locals all willingly discouraged anyone from posting or describing the backcountry routes in detail or publishing guidebooks. It was quite secretive. They all said: "you'll have to get a local to show you around". But of course, none of the locals wanted to show any old noob to the area around. I would look at the map, go explore then submit pit reports to...
Crested Butte locals all willingly discouraged anyone from posting or describing the backcountry routes in detail or publishing guidebooks. It was quite secretive. They all said: "you'll have to get a local to show you around". But of course, none of the locals wanted to show any old noob to the area around. I would look at the map, go explore then submit pit reports to...
author=aaron_wright link=topic=15046.msg62994#msg62994 date=1262718323]
I wouldn't bother coming this far, the snow here is really bad, especially yesterday.
Ahh there' the rub. Thanks to Mr Dappen's excellent map, we now know the way and what you " East Side Boys " have been hiding. ;) ;) ;)
Aaron, thanks for the input in the first comment. I was being tongue-in-cheek in understating the use of the area. That being said I've been surprised that many people I would have expected to have skied the area haven't. I've also been surprised by the few (or the complete absence of) ski tracks on the few occassions when I've slipped in a run. Still, I think you're on the money in stating that more people use the area than I suspect.
Thanks for the bi...
Thanks for the bi...
author=Scotsman link=topic=15046.msg62990#msg62990 date=1262714425]I wouldn't bother coming this fa...
Thats very funny. I want a jersey with that on it.
Thanks for the reply and explanation. Always interested in the politics of skiing.
Maybe I'll use your map and go there if my heavy smoking (Joedabaker) will allow me to get that far from the car.
Mind you getting Joedabaker away from Crystal is very difficult as well.
A delightfull TR. Thanks for the vicarious outing..
author=ADappen link=topic=15046.msg62974#msg62974 date=1262684168]
Those who have skied it more than once are about as numerous as the cyclists out there wearing my favorite jersey stating, "Truckers are fags."
Thats very funny. I want a jersey with that on it.
Thanks for the reply and explanation. Always interested in the politics of skiing.
Maybe I'll use your map and go there if my heavy sm...
I'm always up for additional "F&D" training, and I felt that I'd fallen off my peak since Argentina. I was pleased to discover that I have inherent natural skills in that department...
Looks like a nice tour, way to pick out a good route! It sounds like the good-snow line is about 1000-ft lower up there then down in Central WA. That's not fair!
Aaron, that's really interesting intel. We were certainly concerned about both layers, and the slabs seemed cohesive but didn't propogate. Elevator and the Alpy BC should mostly be in the lee during the last event, which is one of the reasons we headed where we did...
We did run into a couple of guys that headed up to the top of the slot, but they were also wise to the conditions and didn't venture down that lee side.
We did run into a couple of guys that headed up to the top of the slot, but they were also wise to the conditions and didn't venture down that lee side.
Hey Gary and Summer, I'm not familiar with the waterhole hut, what's the deal with that?
Andy, I think more people use it than you might realize. There is a marked(surveyors tape) and thinned "trail" in the vicinity of "Outback" that leads to the open slopes below "Sharkfin". Many people use this as a return route to the ski area. It's a little obscure, but I found it. There is also an avid contingent of skiers who access the area by sled through Forest Ridge/Squilchuck and Upper Wheeler. I would like to see this area above Upper Wheeler or the are...
Great report Andy! Is it a 'secret stash' when it's immediately visible from most any vantage point in Wenatchee? In fact, Stemilt Basin's open slopes are even more obvious to the casual viewer than the Ridge itself.
Hey skykilo, you didn't say how the ski down the trail was or did you take a run down the Barrier?
El Nino has been pretty harsh on Vancouver's local North Shore mountains and in the Howe Sound area. What we're finding is that the snow line is several hundred meters higher than is normal. Lots of good local trips aren't possible right now, which means more driving and more greenhouse gases.
El Nino has been pretty harsh on Vancouver's local North Shore mountains and in the Howe Sound area. What we're finding is that the snow line is several hundred meters higher than is normal. Lots of good local trips aren't possible right now, which means more driving and more greenhouse gases.
Stemilt Basin wouldn't be considered a sidecountry stash for Mission Ridge skiers. From the top of Mission it's a flat 40-minute shuffle over to the Stemilt Basin, you log 1000 to 1500 vertical then, in most years, you're likely to climb back out of the basin and shuffle 25 minutes back to terrain that really is considered to be the resort's sidecountry. The return routes shown on the map connected to the post have climbing, route finding, and timber to contend with. And ofte...
author=Scotsman link=topic=15046.msg62966#msg62966 date=1262666145]
It's a free country and anybody has the right to author a guidebook or a website but its certainly an issue in the ski world as more and more people take up this sport of ours
Come on finish the sentence...
It's a free country and anybody has the right to author a guidebook or a website but its certainly an issue in the ski world as more and more people...
Thanks for the update Preston.
Good to hear the other safe stories of the area. I had a weird feeling about that area. Someone asked me if I was going to go out to JBAS and I thought it would not be a good idea, lucky I trusted my gut on that one.
I did see a spectacular event from Northway chair just below Flying Floyds. A skier came around the base of a rock band to spot a buddy jumping off the rock. The jumper caught about 15 feet of air and landed into a double front flip. The impa...
Good to hear the other safe stories of the area. I had a weird feeling about that area. Someone asked me if I was going to go out to JBAS and I thought it would not be a good idea, lucky I trusted my gut on that one.
I did see a spectacular event from Northway chair just below Flying Floyds. A skier came around the base of a rock band to spot a buddy jumping off the rock. The jumper caught about 15 feet of air and landed into a double front flip. The impa...
author=splitgirl link=topic=15036.msg62938#msg62938 date=1262645270]
Looks like you guys had a great time, I chose to go the opposite direction towards Obstruction Point and started to experience the same Whoomphing east of Steeple Rock the previous night. Took Sean Halborg and my brother Les out with me, I believe you have met them both. Glad you all had fun. See you next weekend ;)
Hey Summer,
We saw your truck on the way u...
Had similar conditions out near Crystal Lake and Morse Creek...
While headed out for some slackcountry near Threeway, Altasnob and I saw a clean slab release on a N facing aspect draining down into Crystal Lake. The crown face ~1.5 feet deep, ~50 feet wide, ran for hundred feet or more (unverified as it was a bit out of sight). Definitely a windloaded slope that developed a cohesive slab and slid on the Christmas crust. Some guys looking to go a bit higher passed us while we deskinne...
While headed out for some slackcountry near Threeway, Altasnob and I saw a clean slab release on a N facing aspect draining down into Crystal Lake. The crown face ~1.5 feet deep, ~50 feet wide, ran for hundred feet or more (unverified as it was a bit out of sight). Definitely a windloaded slope that developed a cohesive slab and slid on the Christmas crust. Some guys looking to go a bit higher passed us while we deskinne...
Southback was really good yesterday (sunday). I hiked the King 5 times and each run was better than the previous. I found some powder.
Well I'm still intersted in how the Mission Ridge locals feel about it.
Wenatchee Outdoors although a non-profit has the stated aim of encouraging access and promoting the area and received a grant to start-up the website from a group whose existence ( I think) is to promote tourism. Although a non-profit, presumably wages are being paid to those that run the site, maybe only costs covered.
Andy's beautiful report is basically the same as posted on their website but with deta...
Wenatchee Outdoors although a non-profit has the stated aim of encouraging access and promoting the area and received a grant to start-up the website from a group whose existence ( I think) is to promote tourism. Although a non-profit, presumably wages are being paid to those that run the site, maybe only costs covered.
Andy's beautiful report is basically the same as posted on their website but with deta...
Hey Joe,
Yea, any slide, no matter what the size, feels big at the time and makes you wonder where you screwed up!!!
Like I said, we saw the crowns from the day before (which all looked to be skier triggered?) and read the forecast, which mentioned patrols' observations of stuff stepping down, so kinda knew that we'd have to be careful. We saw the slide you mention above JBAS and another further lookers left. That, combined with the eerie feeling that comes wi...
Yea, any slide, no matter what the size, feels big at the time and makes you wonder where you screwed up!!!
Like I said, we saw the crowns from the day before (which all looked to be skier triggered?) and read the forecast, which mentioned patrols' observations of stuff stepping down, so kinda knew that we'd have to be careful. We saw the slide you mention above JBAS and another further lookers left. That, combined with the eerie feeling that comes wi...
Great report Andy, fun read.
In response to Scotsman's comments...nobody skis the 'Ridge anyway ;)
The internet does have it's disadvantages. A...
In response to Scotsman's comments...nobody skis the 'Ridge anyway ;)
author=Scotsman link=topic=15046.msg62939#msg62939 date=1262645311]
I know that if somebody posted such a detailed report to some of the Crystal sidecountry stashes , you would not be a popular man with some of the local worthies.( you know who you are)
The internet does have it's disadvantages. A...
thanks ron j! we miss you guys too. we'll be up to ski with you all again soon! :)