TR Replies
Congratulations on your recovery and what sounds like a great perspective on the whole adventure.
@Scotsman
Hi there!
We had mostly sun with some cloud cover,some good skiing and some survival skiing.(variable conditions) moderate winds.
Cruxes climb traverse of the Sharkfin col rap into boston glacier.
Finding the notch which leads to the 3400ft descent into moraine lake.
In the heat of the day we were on inspiration glacier(our timing was off because of potential avy conditions)
Finding the climbers trail to finish the route was interesting!
Hi there!
We had mostly sun with some cloud cover,some good skiing and some survival skiing.(variable conditions) moderate winds.
Cruxes climb traverse of the Sharkfin col rap into boston glacier.
Finding the notch which leads to the 3400ft descent into moraine lake.
In the heat of the day we were on inspiration glacier(our timing was off because of potential avy conditions)
Finding the climbers trail to finish the route was interesting!
Nice job getting some corn y'all -- nice that the season seems to be upon us.
We bushwhacked the lower section of Granite, and decided this saved us up to an hour of climb time by not following the wheelchair accessible switchbacks to the snowline.
What was the snow cover like down low? Those switchbacks are there for a reason eh -- lots of impact off trail, especially at Granite.
How was the season at Alpy, Brad?
We bushwhacked the lower section of Granite, and decided this saved us up to an hour of climb time by not following the wheelchair accessible switchbacks to the snowline.
What was the snow cover like down low? Those switchbacks are there for a reason eh -- lots of impact off trail, especially at Granite.
How was the season at Alpy, Brad?
Nice report. Good to see some pictures of the Olympics. Looks like skiable snow to about 4,000 ft. which should make for some great May turns while the bridge closure keeps the crowds at bay.
Michael
Michael
It was a beautiful day spent with you, Ryan! The range of emotions I felt that day (awe, fear, sleep deprivation, exhiliration, and complete exhaustion) and companionship made the trip that much more significant.
There aren't words that help ease the loss of your beloved friend. Life is a better place with friends like Vagabond.
Hugs to you :)
There aren't words that help ease the loss of your beloved friend. Life is a better place with friends like Vagabond.
Hugs to you :)
Good running into your guys yesterday. Inspired by a TR from Monika and Dave_Perkins from last season, Kyle and I decided to tour From Alpental to Kaleetan and Granite. Will post more later and Kyle will as well. Agreed the top 1500-1800 of Granite was just amazing, some of the best corn I've ridden. Which was a great surprise actually. The lower sections were definitely quite gloppy. We got a little over zealous in riding down and went a little too far and had to bushwhack our way threw th...
Like Chris yesterday, Don and I finally gave into the desires of skiing sunny corn snow and left town at 3:45 today. We bushwhacked the lower section of Granite, and decided this saved us up to an hour of climb time by not following the wheelchair accessible switchbacks to the snowline. We booted up the main chute and were very grateful to hit booted steps within 500 feet to the summit. As we edged up the western ridgeline we saw Kyle Miller and his buddy John rip down the central slope from the...
Hi Chris, glad you had a good time yesterday.
Yep, we left the car at about 5, and had beautiful weather all the way up. About 7 we met Kyle and Jay headed down on boards. They made it look easy. We got to the lookout right about 8, the sun was still up, although the snow was starting to re-freeze. We skied down the west slope, and the top 1500 was just amazing!!. After that, it just got gloppy with a crust, and I went crashing, thrashing d...
Yep, we left the car at about 5, and had beautiful weather all the way up. About 7 we met Kyle and Jay headed down on boards. They made it look easy. We got to the lookout right about 8, the sun was still up, although the snow was starting to re-freeze. We skied down the west slope, and the top 1500 was just amazing!!. After that, it just got gloppy with a crust, and I went crashing, thrashing d...
Panorama atop dragontail
Panorama in Enchantment Basin area
Panorama atop Canon
Sorry, I didn't set up my pictures in an easy way to do thumbs.
Glad you've enjoyed it! And fortunat...
Panorama in Enchantment Basin area
Panorama atop Canon
Sorry, I didn't set up my pictures in an easy way to do thumbs.
Glad you've enjoyed it! And fortunat...
I am exhausted just thinking about that tour in one day!
Congratulations. ;D
How where conditions and what was the crux(es) of the route?
Congratulations. ;D
How where conditions and what was the crux(es) of the route?
Click the bottom link for photos! 8)
Take care and enjoy the spring skiing!
Take care and enjoy the spring skiing!
Great TR. My heart breaks for you, I too lost my very best friend a year ago. Thanks for sharing a story of sadness, fear, friendship, joy and adventure. I think all too often we omit the first three and tell only of the glory.
right on ryan and crew, way to celebrate the dog's (dogs') life in a unique place.
great pics--make me want to get back there again!
great pics--make me want to get back there again!
That 5th picture blows my mind. Beautiful team work.
I hope your pup lived a long and happy life.
I hope your pup lived a long and happy life.
I didn't know you went at a semi-relaxed pace ;)
Nice work -- great to get a sunny day when you weren't expecting it.
Nice work -- great to get a sunny day when you weren't expecting it.
Wow, crazyness. Upper level easterlies turned the east side into the west side!
This is all the more impressive given the weight of the pack you were carrying, based on your thread in Random Tracks ;) Nice work!
Anyway you could thumbnail some of the photos, to open in a new window? I'd love to see those panos in full size.
Anyway you could thumbnail some of the photos, to open in a new window? I'd love to see those panos in full size.
Cool TR, I've been thinking about that area a lot. Thanks for posting!
Got up there late around 17:00 on Wednesday
It had warmed up and things were a bit heavy below 5400 ft
Everything above was still cold and light
Snowing when I left @ 19:30
It was the best day at Mission this year!
It had warmed up and things were a bit heavy below 5400 ft
Everything above was still cold and light
Snowing when I left @ 19:30
It was the best day at Mission this year!
Way to go after it!
Today, several friends and myself headed up after work to Stevens and Cowboy Mtn.. It was nice but probably not as sweet as earlier in the day. Great to get out and crank some turns as it has been about 3-4 weeks - yeah!
Today, several friends and myself headed up after work to Stevens and Cowboy Mtn.. It was nice but probably not as sweet as earlier in the day. Great to get out and crank some turns as it has been about 3-4 weeks - yeah!
We were a bit lucky to come across that shelf down to Rainy Lake. It was refrozen solid and littered with debris but it went. I wouldn't count on that route being skiable for long though. Maybe another week or two.
Thanks for bringing the steeze and for putting up the TRs Kyle. I had a good time and was thrilled to get out there in good vis. The possibilities seem endless. So many good lines on so many proud peaks makes me anxious to get at the...
Thanks for bringing the steeze and for putting up the TRs Kyle. I had a good time and was thrilled to get out there in good vis. The possibilities seem endless. So many good lines on so many proud peaks makes me anxious to get at the...
Good skiing with you, Andy.
Carr and its East Face in the foreground, the three peaks of Castle Towers in the central background.
Carr and its East Face in the foreground, the three peaks of Castle Towers in the central background.
I would say alittle under 9 hours at a semi relaxed pace.
Fantastic! How long did it take, camp to car (highway)? I take it that you camped near the highway. N
Ahh, I'm so envious! I have been looking up there all day; saw the NWAC report this morning so I know it's awesome right now. I just can't take the time off work (or from family) to make the turns. I have a buddy that is going to be up there tomorrow though, look for 2 chocolate labs.
Auf deutsch, firnspiegel = snow mirror. Nice pics, thanks.
- or I've heard it called Lilly's Lace. I've been skiing some of that stuff this week, down in the Sierra, on Mammoth Mtn. I called it 'window pane' or broken shards !! - as my turns were on a thicker version of it.
Great Rpt., & showing the corniced ridge, Rob
Great Rpt., & showing the corniced ridge, Rob
Nice pics! Looks like a great area and that you guys got some good turns!
that's actually called Gaylor Pk. , and there are the Gaylor Lakes, with its summer trail. it's a good and easy ski around that side of the road.
do you know about the run down to the ice climbing area - the Pumphouse. you need to do a car shuttle, and head up Ellery to the next run to the East on the Plateau.
do you know about the run down to the ice climbing area - the Pumphouse. you need to do a car shuttle, and head up Ellery to the next run to the East on the Plateau.
Thanks for the invite for St. Helens, unfortunately or fortunately, my work situation has changed. The company I work for JUST increased my hours to 40/week. It will be nice to have the work, but no more mid week ski trips. This bad economy has made for a great winter, but all good things must come to an end...
Nice trip! Skiing Lyall is great, way to navigate the cliff band, does not show many ways through that rock.
Yes and the summer trail goes straight up with a gig of switchbacks for seemingly forever, so great job guys!
Chris: I got your voicemail. Check PM and call me.
Ryan - when I first saw the subject for this TR I thought Columbia Peak in the Rockies wow! And then it turned out to be even better.
I like the bumper sticker that says:
Dear Lord - help me to be the person my dog thinks I am.
And it looks like he thought a lot of you.
I like the bumper sticker that says:
Dear Lord - help me to be the person my dog thinks I am.
And it looks like he thought a lot of you.
Hey Ryan - took me a second to pick up on your opening sentence of the TR....Very sorry to hear of your loss! Sucks that as part of life, we have to deal with these experiences. Way to go out & ski a line you've had on your list for awhile now.
sweet, nice work! , i gotta dig my boarder crossing id papers out of wherever they are decaying.
it was great to meet you the other day!
it was great to meet you the other day!
glad you got it Ryan, great tr, very sad to hear about your friend, as i have heard somewhere before -"it is one of the great injustices in this world that they do not live longer".
Joedabaker is right...Rock Mountain is about 8 miles east of Steven's pass. The trail head is tucked away right off of Rt. 2 and is easy to miss
Firnspiegel eh...I like the sound of that
Firnspiegel eh...I like the sound of that
Sorry to hear of your loss. You made a great memoir of a tr though - terrific pics and a great write up. I especially like how you had skiers of diffierent abilities and yet accomadated the trip accordingly. That shows skills. Nice work you guys, and gal.
Sorry to hear about your buddy Ryan. You lost a good friend.
As to skiing, you continue to inspire me with the steep lines you find in the Cascades. Sometime I will have to come along on something a bit more moderate. I know my limits! Again, great job and super vibe photos.
I love being an armchair steep skier when I read your posts!
Gregg
As to skiing, you continue to inspire me with the steep lines you find in the Cascades. Sometime I will have to come along on something a bit more moderate. I know my limits! Again, great job and super vibe photos.
I love being an armchair steep skier when I read your posts!
Gregg
Nice choice in terrain. That area has some sick mountains.
Sorry about your loss.
Sorry about your loss.
author=Marcus link=topic=13170.msg54883#msg54883 date=1241019651]
Nice TR, thanks for sharing. Help me out though -- where's Rock Mountain? East of Snoqualmie?
I'm thinking East of Stevens, I would guess 8 miles past.
author=1yen link=topic=13170.msg54873#msg54873 date=1240987707]
As the day progressed, the sun warmed up the snow, but above 5,500' was still firm with an at...
a first descent right? sorry if that's a lame question ... me being a newbie lurker and all ...
great tr ... i enjoy them all ryan ... very nice writing and pix ... i esp liked this sentiment, "I sat on the summit for a good half hour, realizing that I've only ever been able to get past loneliness by embracing solitude." ... o and the skiing rocks!!!
anyhow ... keep em coming .. very sorry for your loss :'(
great tr ... i enjoy them all ryan ... very nice writing and pix ... i esp liked this sentiment, "I sat on the summit for a good half hour, realizing that I've only ever been able to get past loneliness by embracing solitude." ... o and the skiing rocks!!!
anyhow ... keep em coming .. very sorry for your loss :'(
Click on them, JD -- unless they're not big enough at CC.com, where they're hosted.
That 5th one is a great shot.
Sorry about your bud -- very sad. Looks like a wonderful companion.
That 5th one is a great shot.
Sorry about your bud -- very sad. Looks like a wonderful companion.
Nice TR, thanks for sharing. Help me out though -- where's Rock Mountain? East of Snoqualmie?
Cool, thanks for the report. I've gotta get up there. I agree with Jason - that 5th picture is rad (they are all nice - just wish they were larger).