TR Replies
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...
Great 3 pics Lee! ;) As always, great trip!
Looks like Rose bc was the place to be yesterday! I made plans to ski at Alpine with a friend who drove up from Reno; we got there and witnessed the sideways-blowing wet snow and everything but Roundhouse and Hot Wheels on wind hold, and decided to go get lunch in Tahoe City instead...
It was an awesome trip! my firsy with a large group of TAY'ers!
What a great trip report, Stugie. I've cross country skied out of Dutchman's Flats, lift skied at Bachelor, and looked longingly at Broken Top from the Bachelor Summit. Almost every one of your pictures brought back some memory, or fueled the lust to get back down there... I really enjoyed your whole series. Thanks!
Sounds like the noisy smoky snomos were a blessing at times. I guess we shouldn't ever burn all our bridges, ;) eh?
Sounds like the noisy smoky snomos were a blessing at times. I guess we shouldn't ever burn all our bridges, ;) eh?
Nice trip! Some gnarly terrain, sweet pics!
John Scurlock has recent photos of the S Sister in his inbox - might go hunting for your tracks. (Thank you, as always, John!)
author=schu link=topic=12427.msg51961#msg51961 date=1235451299]
What a narly peak. This was one valley I didn't even like being down in on a safe day. The evidence of massive slides was fully encompassing.
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 wo...
Nice to see you again Silas and it was fun grinding steel and ptex.
Click image for larger view
Click image for larger view
author=dberdinka link=topic=12429.msg51933#msg51933 date=1235430070]
Honestly it seems like a pipe dream.
It probably is, but there's little to loose. Land management agencies rarely do anything without money and a mandate, but both the money and the mandates usually come from well organized interest groups who've spent time and treasure figuring out what might work and how to get support. Often times they've failed...
looks like good times right out the back door, silas!! glad you could join us tonight and hope you stick around a little longer. :)
The route finding was alittle difficult. Note, the water ice in the trees.
MSR snowshoes are the best.
MSR snowshoes are the best.
What a narly peak. This was one valley I didn't even like being down in on a safe day. The evidence of massive slides was fully encompassing.
Ruby was great! Made it down just before the weather turned. Perfect day.
Awesome! looks like some great conditions - i love the fire pic!
Wow Nice work that had to be brutal down low.
Thanks for the great pics! The last one from Mt. Bachelor made me sigh and dream of getting back there this spring to ski Broken Top or Middle Sister.
4 of us on South Sister this last weekend - snomo access helped us get quite a bit more skiing in ;). Great powder runs and nice snow until we started the slog back out.
4 of us on South Sister this last weekend - snomo access helped us get quite a bit more skiing in ;). Great powder runs and nice snow until we started the slog back out.
Yeah Silas, not too surprised to hear Rose shut down. It was windy today, even down in Truckee. Rose is totally exposed too, not many trees. The west side ski resorts are a little more protected, but it's not uncommon for Homewood and Northstar to be the only places open some storm days. That's not a bad thing though. $25 Homewood tickets and the best tree runs of your life all day! Come to think of it, that was Christmas day just this season!!
Speaking of fine meals, if you like sushi check out Sushi Pier in Reno. Awesome, cheap all you can eat. My girl and I still joke about flying into Reno just to get the sushi fix ;)
Enjoy Tahoe
Enjoy Tahoe
author=telemack link=topic=12303.msg51931#msg51931 date=1235429710]
Weren't they Voile Snake Skins? No matter who made them, I've only known 1 or 2 folks who had them and they agreed they were bad.
Based on their reputation, Snake Skins must be among the worst strap-on skins ever made. I've never used them myself.
There were older, better models. The following post describes strap-on skins that I'v...
I have made some initial inquiries, yes... there is some strategy behind the dreams. However I will not really make any serious efforts unless things come back positive at multiple levels. One of the first levels of course is just to imagine the possibility... would something like this even be supported by folks here in the backcountry ski community? If strong support here, then move to the next level.
It certainly is a daunting proposal, given the culture here in the US as opposed t...
It certainly is a daunting proposal, given the culture here in the US as opposed t...