TR Replies
Although I may have reflected moments of despair, conditions surpassed expectations, and we were rewarded with some novel lines that get hit with little to no frequency. Thanks for all of your reconnaissance efforts in making this adventure happen on short notice.
Tidbit- not to be confused with Timbit. Andrew McCulloch, who engineered the complex series of bridges and tunnels through Coquihalla Canyon was an avid reader of Shakespeare and would often recite passages from the plays to his workers around the evening campfires. As a result, many of the areas in the Coquihalla Region are named after characters in Shakespearean literature, such as Iago, Romeo, Juliet, Lear, Jessica, Shylock and Portia.
Ha.
No worries. The good far out weighed the bad. It wasn't really that bad. I probably could have done parts of that a little more efficantly. It was cool to get a tour of the area you know so well, and worth it for the views alone. Has me inspired to go and check out the area a little more. Thanks for the solid lead!
No worries. The good far out weighed the bad. It wasn't really that bad. I probably could have done parts of that a little more efficantly. It was cool to get a tour of the area you know so well, and worth it for the views alone. Has me inspired to go and check out the area a little more. Thanks for the solid lead!
author=bobS link=topic=15115.msg63247#msg63247 date=1263157287]
How do you like the manaslus? Do you think they are a good NW ski?
Perfect; I used them in ice and breakable crust and crude today. Best ski I've every had; lighter and more crud-busting than my Atomic R:EX, Volkl Snowwolfs, and Dynafit 7 Summits (all these are very good skis).
How do you like the manaslus? Do you think they are a good NW ski?
Thanks for the TR. On January 5, we stopped by the XC Center to get information about the Lodge. Nice photos of the terrain.
author=skykilo link=topic=15111.msg63231#msg63231 date=1263093725]
did you have any epic table tennis matches at the lodge? that sure is a nice spot.
Nope. Too many Australians playing table tennis the first night we were there. Then we were too tired the 2nd night. Yes, nice spot and closer than Golden!
Your photo shows the top of Heather point and its SE face. Happy Face is on the North side and runs down to a flat open basin that the crest trail runs through. Looking at the lower half of the run from the basin there is a group of rock outcrops that can look like a Happy Face when filled in on a big snow year. I first skied it about 30 years ago and gave it the name that has stuck at least with Stevens locals. Both the face you show and Happy Face are prone to being wind swept and or wind...
did you have any epic table tennis matches at the lodge? that sure is a nice spot.
Nice work...
Blewett's been pretty bony for a while and I don't think they've gotten much more new snow in the last few weeks. Larry_R posted a Sasse ridge TR which might give you some ideas for Jolly...
Blewett's been pretty bony for a while and I don't think they've gotten much more new snow in the last few weeks. Larry_R posted a Sasse ridge TR which might give you some ideas for Jolly...
Hmm, are you telling me it may be time to consider retiring my first-gen FR100's Silas?
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?