TR Replies
Great report. I know from reading the visitor log at the Snow Peak cabin that skiers visit in winter.
As an aside, my bride and I hiked up Chewelah Mountain (49 Degrees North ski area) on Sunday in 2 to 3 inches of snow. Someone tried to ski it the day before - their bases will never to the same again either.
As an aside, my bride and I hiked up Chewelah Mountain (49 Degrees North ski area) on Sunday in 2 to 3 inches of snow. Someone tried to ski it the day before - their bases will never to the same again either.
As always, Amar, very thought provoking. You drive home the point of how critical it is to make observations of the conditions on the ascent. But, what really struck me, was how important it is to be informed of the weather conditions in the days (and weeks) BEFORE going out. I'm not as diligent as I should be in this regard, especially in the months when NWAC is not forecasting.
Thanks for posting this - I was up there on Thursday and saw that crown and the one near Gibraltar Rock. Your explanation is much appreciated - and a good reminder that dangers on that route lurk in the sidelines.
Wow.
Thanks for the detailed report - it is interesting to read both the avalanche and human factor assessment.
Kudos for tactfully addressing this with the skiers. I've found myself in situations when I am not sure if I should confront someone when I see something sketchy (avalanche beacons on dogs, anyone?) - I am impressed with how it sounds like you handled this.
And, way to get after the early season turns!
Thanks for the detailed report - it is interesting to read both the avalanche and human factor assessment.
Kudos for tactfully addressing this with the skiers. I've found myself in situations when I am not sure if I should confront someone when I see something sketchy (avalanche beacons on dogs, anyone?) - I am impressed with how it sounds like you handled this.
And, way to get after the early season turns!
Nice work on all this, Amar. It's a good opportunity to remind everyone on TAY that NWAC wants your snowpack and avalanche observations. Submissions can be made on our mobile app, as well as via the "observations" tab on the website. Have a fun and safe season!
Yesterday, I also noticed a big crown underneath Gibraltar rock, in the snowfield beside cadaver gap. Looked like it came from the same event, or perhaps it came down with the wind event Friday.
Thanks for the post, the best part of TAY is those creative turns people get, and those are creative turns! Don't worry about those bases, you'll never remember those skis, but you sure will remember skiing Bonaparte in November!
Cool! I don't get out that way much, but keep posting and we'll know what's out there ;-)
THANK YOU so much for your very detailed trip reports. This is incredible info and I'm sure I speak for many when I say the effort you put into this TR is very much appreciated!
Weather Forecasts and Data:
Here is the NWS Rainier forecast for the day of this report:
Mount Rainier Recreational Forecast
National Weather Service Seattle WA
337 AM PST Wed Nov 7 2018
SYNOPSIS...High pressure will build over the region and give mostly sunny skies and dry weather to Mount Rainier National Park today and Thursday. A weak weather system will bring a little rain and snow Friday. Showers could linger Saturday, but Sunday and Mo...
Here is the NWS Rainier forecast for the day of this report:
Mount Rainier Recreational Forecast
National Weather Service Seattle WA
337 AM PST Wed Nov 7 2018
SYNOPSIS...High pressure will build over the region and give mostly sunny skies and dry weather to Mount Rainier National Park today and Thursday. A weak weather system will bring a little rain and snow Friday. Showers could linger Saturday, but Sunday and Mo...
Continued from previous post . . .
November 8, 2018: Avalanche Size Measurements
Given my cough / cold, I wasn't sure if I would be back the next day, even though Thursday's forecast was even nicer with more sun and warmer temps and less wind. But thankfully I managed to motivate once again, even though I felt a bit worse than the previous day. Far less people were out skiing on Thursday, saw only maybe 10 skiers up on the Muir Snowfield, versus abou...
November 8, 2018: Avalanche Size Measurements
Given my cough / cold, I wasn't sure if I would be back the next day, even though Thursday's forecast was even nicer with more sun and warmer temps and less wind. But thankfully I managed to motivate once again, even though I felt a bit worse than the previous day. Far less people were out skiing on Thursday, saw only maybe 10 skiers up on the Muir Snowfield, versus abou...
That is very cool -- thanks!
Yeehaw! You guys nailed it! Thanks for the hype!
I recently realized that I should have included another map in the original post showing the crevasses on Muir Snowfield from the Google Maps Terrain layer. Starting a few years ago, Google Terrain has been updated with high-resolution lidar (light detection and ranging, using an airborne scanning laser) imagery covering many mountainous areas of the western United States. This easily shows crevasses and many other geologic features (rock glaciers, moraines, landslide debris, etc.) in very sharp...
Looks awesome, between this TR and all the hype from the rockies getting piles of snow I imagine the hills will be pretty "full" this weekend. Excited to get out tomorrow.
Thanks for posting!
Thanks for posting!
author=silaswild link=topic=41011.msg162679#msg162679 date=1541719742]
Nisqually chute skied well today, no stone grinding. Freebird will likely post video tonight.
Excellent powder skiing the last few days😎
https://vimeo.com/299823622
Nisqually chute skied well today, no stone grinding. Freebird will likely post video tonight.
Skiing below 7000' was surprisingly scratch free too, no overnight crust. The paved trail was not melted snow free so it skied like a groomer today. Warm sun cold snow no wind. One of my top five November days in 46 years of Paradise skiing. The next few days should be great too. Welcome back, Winter!
Skiing below 7000' was surprisingly scratch free too, no overnight crust. The paved trail was not melted snow free so it skied like a groomer today. Warm sun cold snow no wind. One of my top five November days in 46 years of Paradise skiing. The next few days should be great too. Welcome back, Winter!
That's nice. Nisqually chute looks even passable.
Thanks for posting! Heading up tomorrow - wish I had gone up today.
Mike - I was up there a few days later and eyed your tracks with envy. My wife and I glissaded across your turns on the way down from Little A summit. Fun, but not the same as skiing :)
I don't envy the hike out, however. It was brutal enough with backpacking gear.
I don't envy the hike out, however. It was brutal enough with backpacking gear.
If it comes to it, we'll see you there. That being said, hopefully we're back to old habits of fresh come late October.
Welcome! Wow - 10 skiers!
I hope not to have to come back to this next October - but if I do, I'll wait till the last Saturday and bring beer and snacks and host a TAY party.
I hope not to have to come back to this next October - but if I do, I'll wait till the last Saturday and bring beer and snacks and host a TAY party.
I had to re-read the post - you had me thinking Mike was up to 411 months of TAY :-)
;D - I'm at 97months
;D - I'm at 97months
... 411 is a crazy number!
I had to re-read the post - you had me thinking Mike was up to 411 months of TAY :-)
Welp, once again thanks for the intel. Appears that several other groups got the notice as well. We counted 10 on skis all together, I was absolutely shocked. Then again, everyone we talked to said they got off track on the way up, whilst we followed your directions in and nailed it both ways. Not as bad as we'd anticipated.
Arrived with 1/2 the snow field shaded, which was then exchanged for the other 1/2 shaded. Rock hard to bullet proof, with minor whisperings that with anoth...
Arrived with 1/2 the snow field shaded, which was then exchanged for the other 1/2 shaded. Rock hard to bullet proof, with minor whisperings that with anoth...
Ha! Yes!
But not nearly as cool as experiencing a Beckey 3rd class gully.
But not nearly as cool as experiencing a Beckey 3rd class gully.
Probably easier than hiking up to Gunn Peak basin with skis.
Better snow "quality", shorter drive, and 3 times as many turns as the Bagley Lake Postage Stamp at Hwy 542's end! Congrats...
Appreciate the intel! We'll see what sort of bad ideas we can come up with along the way. Only negative to this route is that it doesn't involve skinoeing. Know anyone who wants to pack a boat in for us?!?!?
Thanks! I was definitely the only one with skis - you get semi-celebrity status on that trail.
Happy to share info!
Snow Lake TH from Alpental - stay left at the fork and hike into Source Lake basin. The trail does a switch back and heads back towards the divide overlooking Snow Lake (I guess this was the old Snow Lake trail). Keep going until you see a large talus field starting next to the trail. Go straight up on the left side until you see some c...
Happy to share info!
Snow Lake TH from Alpental - stay left at the fork and hike into Source Lake basin. The trail does a switch back and heads back towards the divide overlooking Snow Lake (I guess this was the old Snow Lake trail). Keep going until you see a large talus field starting next to the trail. Go straight up on the left side until you see some c...
Hate to ask you to give too much information here....
What side are you approaching this from? Looking to round out 72 and 5 hours of driving for mediocrity isn't feeling particularly interesting (although we'll do it if need be). Feel free to PM if that's the more appropriate venue. Greatly appreciated sir.
Cheers
What side are you approaching this from? Looking to round out 72 and 5 hours of driving for mediocrity isn't feeling particularly interesting (although we'll do it if need be). Feel free to PM if that's the more appropriate venue. Greatly appreciated sir.
Cheers
YES! Love it! I bet you were the only one with skis on your back, too :)
Prusik Peak behind the burst photo
Little Annapurna in the goat pic?
Absolutely wonderful place up there!
Little Annapurna in the goat pic?
Absolutely wonderful place up there!
Can confirm that the patch above Pebble Creek is objectively not great. Still better than carrying skis down, though!
Nice going Mike! Glad you had some good turns, 411 is a crazy number! Loving it to death. Since you did not capture any of those crazy wonderful colors, I'll add a few to brighten things a bit.
Very useful report. Rusty Knees and I are skiing Wednesday, and we will probably be looking around up there.
Nobody getting panties in wad with you hiking up?...sounds like its good to go😀
author=rlsg link=topic=40975.msg162572#msg162572 date=1539963068]Lifts have been done since Labor Day. Oct. is technically the first day of winter but they won't run chairs unless they get a bunch more snow. Not sure what it takes but I haven't seen them run in Oct unless there was enough snow to ski onto the lower Palmer loading ramp.
Thanks for report...sounds worth it...btw are lift operations done?
As of Thursday, the new snow is thinning fast. The main part of the Muir Snowfield down to 8200ft was still excellent skiing for its whole length, with more dodging of exposed old snow required toward the bottom. And the disconnected snowfields below that are pretty much toast.
Thanks for report...sounds worth it...btw are lift operations done?
Nice E-bike. Buy a second one and I'll rent it from you....
Smooth and no suncups, I need some of that. Thanks for the report.
1000 feet of race-ready hard packed snow sounds like a blast!
Robie I just can't seem to kill those things! They're my go-to late August to early November skis when there may be serious geological surfaces involved!
"Superlight" is only a relevant term for about a year anymore, it seems.
"Superlight" is only a relevant term for about a year anymore, it seems.