TR Replies
Thought I’d comment here on ski conditions in the bc…
Big crowds in the Alpental bc today (Feb 28) by way of upper gate GS traverse. Wanting to earn-my-turns, I skinned out of the upper parking (full) lot about 2pm, temp low 40 deg, light cloud cover. Ascend via the main Source Lake drainage (skiers left, thru trees) to GS bowl. Packed powder in drainage, pretty tracked out to my surprise. Upper bowl (North aspect) nice pow (wind deposit) as expected, lots of ski tracks from the A...
Big crowds in the Alpental bc today (Feb 28) by way of upper gate GS traverse. Wanting to earn-my-turns, I skinned out of the upper parking (full) lot about 2pm, temp low 40 deg, light cloud cover. Ascend via the main Source Lake drainage (skiers left, thru trees) to GS bowl. Packed powder in drainage, pretty tracked out to my surprise. Upper bowl (North aspect) nice pow (wind deposit) as expected, lots of ski tracks from the A...
Glad the gang got the goods. If I hadn't been introducing 8 high school outdoor ed students to backcountry skiing at Yodelin, I'd been right there with you. Sadly, looks like a few days of beastly weather heading in.
author=Tophervw link=topic=12480.msg52135#msg52135 date=1235849310]
Dogs left in condos downtown lead a pretty boring life.
I'm not trying to add fuel to the fire, but in my opinion, leaving a dog stuck inside a condo all day long could be worse than the risks of being on a snow covered mountain. Too many pets are indoors all day while people are working or in this case, playing, instead of being included in the fun. I agr...
Re: Dog skiing - In Jackson Hole, one of my good friends sister is a vet in town. She patches up dogs cut up skiing all winter long 2-3 a week, sometimes more. In the summer, same stats with dogs who fall out of pickups and get chewed up by the roads/other cars. Most dog owners I know would never let their dogs ride in pickups untethered, however, they take them skiing... I see a disconnect.
I like dogs, when I own one, I will not take him/her skiing, unless I commit the 20-40 hours a week...
I like dogs, when I own one, I will not take him/her skiing, unless I commit the 20-40 hours a week...
author=Marcus link=topic=12468.msg52152#msg52152 date=1235877944]
Sounds like that half inch layer may be the same layer of rounds that was moving easily around Alpental today. Could be a nasty one this week if the snow keeps coming.
Funny Marcus, I dug a hasty pit around Kendal Stump yesterday at 3800 feet, and found when I gave it a hand tug it moved on a good shear, but with a pretty hard tug on that south aspect: on those sam...
Sounds like that half inch layer may be the same layer of rounds that was moving easily around Alpental today. Could be a nasty one this week if the snow keeps coming.
author=fogle link=topic=12468.msg52127#msg52127 date=1235798061]
John,
Woody & I saw the same build up back in the last weeks of Dec in the same neck_of_the_woods. The ultimate revelation will be what happens to promote or degenerate the existing mega crust and the basil layer as we move towards inevitable melting...
Thanks for the reminder, Steve. Last year in May we sure did have some dramatic slides after intens...
Got to back up Chris here... I don't think taking the pooch has anything to do with being cool, I think the dog owners want to enjoy the mountains with a member of their "family".
Not to say that all dogs I've encountered seem to be having a good time, or that there aren't issues to address with dogs in the backcountry, but ultimately it's the owners call, as long as the dog isn't harassing other people/wildlife. They certainly shouldn&#...
Not to say that all dogs I've encountered seem to be having a good time, or that there aren't issues to address with dogs in the backcountry, but ultimately it's the owners call, as long as the dog isn't harassing other people/wildlife. They certainly shouldn&#...
Irwinator~
Respectfully, one may decide to bring their four legged friend into the woods with them for any number of reasons; namely proper exercise, and companionship. Dogs left in condos downtown lead a pretty boring life. Our dogs get to experience the wilderness and enjoy the out of doors. It is not about being "cool" its about your pet being a part of the family, unfortunately accidents happen. Accidents can happen with people and animals alike. Those who choose to...
Respectfully, one may decide to bring their four legged friend into the woods with them for any number of reasons; namely proper exercise, and companionship. Dogs left in condos downtown lead a pretty boring life. Our dogs get to experience the wilderness and enjoy the out of doors. It is not about being "cool" its about your pet being a part of the family, unfortunately accidents happen. Accidents can happen with people and animals alike. Those who choose to...
author=danengel link=topic=12480.msg52119#msg52119 date=1235768531]
It was great meeting you Haggis!
We didn't follow the skin track as closely as we should have and ended up in the drainage. We had to boot out for awhile before we strapped on the boards again.
Hopefully the dog will be fine. We bandaged her up and she walked out. But it definitely put a damper on an otherwise great morning.
So what's with al...
Overflow parking is the employee housing chalet, ?verdad? Mosetick and I may go there Saturday.
"Anna the aloof!" WOOF 8)
"Anna the aloof!" WOOF 8)
author=John_Morrow link=topic=12468.msg52077#msg52077 date=1235698111]
Probably wouldn't even be worth a TR today except that I had something interesting happen when I dug a pit. Started the day with a skin track right out of the parking lot which was nice. When it veered to other pastures, I continued up a rib that is very enjoyable skinning. A couple of steep rolls on this rib provide a bit of a test slope opportunity with little consequence if somet...
Hey Dan - incredible pictures! They almost make it look like winter again. I looked for your camera at Yodelin yesterday, but it looks like you replaced already ;D. Too bad about the doggy.
Don
Don
It was great meeting you Haggis!
We didn't follow the skin track as closely as we should have and ended up in the drainage. We had to boot out for awhile before we strapped on the boards again.
Hopefully the dog will be fine. We bandaged her up and she walked out. But it definitely put a damper on an otherwise great morning.
We didn't follow the skin track as closely as we should have and ended up in the drainage. We had to boot out for awhile before we strapped on the boards again.
Hopefully the dog will be fine. We bandaged her up and she walked out. But it definitely put a damper on an otherwise great morning.
Good to bump into you guys up there. Great way to spend the morning.
Wondered where you were on the way down as I was changed and gone before you got back. Hope the god is OK.
The lower trees sucked anyway with the nasty bullet crust.
Wondered where you were on the way down as I was changed and gone before you got back. Hope the god is OK.
The lower trees sucked anyway with the nasty bullet crust.
Was planning on visiting the general area there tomorrow. Thanks for update Joe!
Last Sat on north side of Lichtenberg had grrreat old powder mixed with lots of light hoar on top. Figured what fell on top might get very sensitive. Apparenly you used that finely honed sense of survival to find the appropriate zone.
Last Sat on north side of Lichtenberg had grrreat old powder mixed with lots of light hoar on top. Figured what fell on top might get very sensitive. Apparenly you used that finely honed sense of survival to find the appropriate zone.
Thanks RK for picking up the phone!
It was great to get out in some fresh high quality snow; good to meet and tour with you.
Too busy skiing to take many pictures, but the pow is out there and cloudy/overcast skies all day mean it is probably still there!
It was great to get out in some fresh high quality snow; good to meet and tour with you.
Too busy skiing to take many pictures, but the pow is out there and cloudy/overcast skies all day mean it is probably still there!
Sounds like an amazing day!! Way to get the pow! Any photos?
Travertine's assessment is 100% correct. I too was expecting more snow than what we found, down lower at least. Also I should add that the northern sides of most tree trunks up higher were well covered with new snow leaving the rest of the trunk uncovered. Up higher in a more open area we even encountered a perfectly horizontal blowdown about 15ft long that was developing a mini cornice on it from the northerly winds. I think we were on the wrong side of the highway. ??? There was no...
Beware of thunder and lightning bolts on Thor's day.
It looks like almost everyone on your trip was on tele gear. Sweet. And great pictures too! Thanks.
author=trumpetsailor link=topic=12463.msg52068#msg52068 date=1235680945]
Nothing besides sluffs in the new snow moved on the ski down, despite a crust-induced biff in a touchy spot. Easy trailbreaking through the trees (light snow atop bomber), deeper snow in the open. Skintrack was partway refilled (2") on the way home.
Mighty fine to get out in new snow. Boo for breakable crust.
Yeah, I tested the stability toda...
nice shots mike and andy. Kinda depressing really. There are slots open at the bottom of the usual big N faces like Fitz, Curtain and MAcbeth. The rap is at the notch between Refuse Pinnacle and the Overlord glacier. The bolts are a nice touch,. You can avoid the rap by downclimbing choss or by sneaking over the Overlord Gl at the lower col about 100m down.
Hey JD!
Yah the first time we did it years ago,it took 14 hours we were on secura fix's,and anouther time it took a few days because of a forced bivy.Sometimes the conditions dictate how the traverse will go.We had perfect conditions.
See you at the vert fest!
Yah the first time we did it years ago,it took 14 hours we were on secura fix's,and anouther time it took a few days because of a forced bivy.Sometimes the conditions dictate how the traverse will go.We had perfect conditions.
See you at the vert fest!
author=Boot link=topic=12427.msg52020#msg52020 date=1235542232]
That basin was our other option. It did look "cliffy", but I don't think we ever really saw into it with the view of it's upper reaches being blocked by Pyramid. This is the only pic I have of it.
Thanks for the pic, I know what you mean: it is tough to tell if it wraps around the west side of Pyramid or not. Just got to get up...
Proud!
I was strutting when I did that trip in 2 full days. You guys knock it off in an afternoon!
You headed down to Vertfest this weekend?
I was strutting when I did that trip in 2 full days. You guys knock it off in an afternoon!
You headed down to Vertfest this weekend?
Yes there was more open crevasses visible than on an average year!
You had to be much more diligent and aware of the route you chose.Paying attention to details with your route findings skills was more critical.
The Phalix trip had good photos and information on the conditions to expect!
You had to be much more diligent and aware of the route you chose.Paying attention to details with your route findings skills was more critical.
The Phalix trip had good photos and information on the conditions to expect!
Nah, the Reno factory is not yet producing skis....
Kelvin and I plan to release 40 pairs (prototypes) of SB Skis in November; 20 pairs crafted in Reno and 20 in Seattle. We have two designs in mind, each in two sizes. The Reno sizes will be some combination of long and longer, wide and wider :). My guess is our friends will want nothing to do with the "Not Made in China; Made by Chinese" brand, so that will leave...
author=Marcus link=topic=12435.msg52000#msg52000 date=1235519175]
Are you coming back with a hot-off-the-press new rig?
Nah, the Reno factory is not yet producing skis. Kam ptexed and stoneground the bases of my old skis, then waxed them. I scraped and buffed.
I dug up the trip report that I posted on telemarktips, http://telemarktalk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=281411#281411 but the original pictures had been lost due to site melt-down that happened later that year. I tried to reinsert the photos; I couldn't make that happen, so I have just added a bunch of pictures to the thread. Hopefully they will give an idea of our adventure.
Thanks for the great trip report and fantastic pictures!
Yes, Ian is a great guy! I am going back for sure. For those who are interested Ian's website with all the info is at:
http://www.skihike.com/
The Discovery terrain can be seen in this 180° panorama of Discovery, Moul and Trophy Mountain taken from Table Mountain. The photo has notes that label the terrain, the original size photo (look for the All Sizes link above the photo) shows the detail. Discovery looks like an abandoned ski hill from 1920, the glades are just perfect....
http://www.skihike.com/
The Discovery terrain can be seen in this 180° panorama of Discovery, Moul and Trophy Mountain taken from Table Mountain. The photo has notes that label the terrain, the original size photo (look for the All Sizes link above the photo) shows the detail. Discovery looks like an abandoned ski hill from 1920, the glades are just perfect....
Boy, retirement sounds tire-ing. Guess I'll just keep working away. Safe travels!
Nice egg mcmuffin shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great stuff, thanks -- I'll have to put THAT on the list now too.
That giant trough/gully looks as spectacular in the photos as the map suggests! Did you all get a look at the north facing basin west of the pyramid summit? Map shows it could have cliffs 1/2 way up but I was wondering if it held steep snow.
Thanks,
John
That basin was our other option. It did look "cliffy", but I don't think we ever really saw into it with the view of it's upper reaches being...
15 and 17 trips -- very impressive. I did this a couple of years ago in April and there was tons of snow. I can't imagine where you had to rapel. I'm sure you were grateful for your decision to bring a rope.
Did you encounter much in the way of opening cravasses with the low snow?
Another trip report on the Phalix glacier really shows how low the snow is this year.
Did you encounter much in the way of opening cravasses with the low snow?
Another trip report on the Phalix glacier really shows how low the snow is this year.
My son and I did the week long Wells Gray Traverse 2 springs ago with lodge owner Ian. We had everything from bluebird days to blizzards. No helicopter, but we did have a snow cat for part of the way to the Trophy cabin....self- propelled for the rest of the time. We spent several days around Trophy cabin exploring and completing an avalanche course. It took the best part of a day to transfer our gear to the Discovery Hut. We hit the hills around there for a few days before returning for one mor...
Thanks for the excellent trip information. What an awesome area!
Took awhile, but I finally compiled a photo gallery of 100 photos from our trip.
Some taken with my new camera in around high camp, and some on the trips we took while we were there (with another camera, new camera is too heavy)
http://climbwashington.com/reports/scottishLakes021809.asp
Scottish Lakes in an awesome place, and highly recommended for anyone who has never gone.
Hospitality, comfort and great access to the high country. I can see myself spending a few...
Some taken with my new camera in around high camp, and some on the trips we took while we were there (with another camera, new camera is too heavy)
http://climbwashington.com/reports/scottishLakes021809.asp
Scottish Lakes in an awesome place, and highly recommended for anyone who has never gone.
Hospitality, comfort and great access to the high country. I can see myself spending a few...
There was three or four slings already in place,they seemed to be in good condition.But I will let you decide when you get to that point!
You could down climb that section,but the rock is very loose and rotten.And if you fall there is chance you could slide into the gaping slot about 100 feet skiers right!
Thanks and take care and have a good trip!
You could down climb that section,but the rock is very loose and rotten.And if you fall there is chance you could slide into the gaping slot about 100 feet skiers right!
Thanks and take care and have a good trip!
Nice work! Looks like perfect weather.
For the rappel did you donate gear, or were there existing anchors?
I am fixing to get on it the first week of March.
For the rappel did you donate gear, or were there existing anchors?
I am fixing to get on it the first week of March.
You can double click once you get to the photos for a larger perspective!
You're welcome. Exploring the Barometer/Herman/Slate area has been a very rewarding experience over the last decade(?!). There is an amazing amount of really good terrain back there, yet in the 20 or so trips I've made only once have I see other tracks or encountered other skiers. Hopefully deep low elevation snowpacks are not completely a thing of the past and one day I'll chance upon a fat skin track to follow way back there.
Shit Silas, if I'd remember you were going to be at the Skibuilders factory I would've had you take those Crossbows to more competent hands. Are you coming back with a hot-off-the-press new rig?
dberdinka, thanks for the local wisdom, experience, and photos. I love the fact there are so many terrain options to explore in these areas.
Wow, retirement does not suck, eh? ;) Nice trip and pics!
author=Rusty Knees link=topic=12419.msg51989#msg51989 date=1235504121]
Sounds like the noisy smoky snomos were a blessing at times. I guess we shouldn't ever burn all our bridges, ;) eh?
Thanks Rusty Knees. Yeah, had it not been for the snomos, we would have been in a lot more pain, that's for sure! I am having new realizations of sled access for sure...
Glad he pics could bring back some nostalgi...