TR Replies
Very nice TR. Picture of Puget Sound is striking .Never been to Pilchuck, need to go one day. Thanks
One more quick comment for Wiley, if you're still tuning in. I could swear I saw comments elsewhere that the Chutes are getting thin as of last weekend and in fact only one went - the trick from the top is that you can't see them until you've gotten over the roll and onto the steeper section. You can of course get an eyeball on them from down on some of the paved roads in the area, which might help you a bit, but in any case you obviously don't want to blindly ski down anythi...
Thanks for the helpful TR and comments from Joedabaker and others. I'm heading to Adams Friday to ski the S ridge or possibly the SW chutes. We've never been there before and we'd like to tag the true summit while we're there. I'm curious to know whether it gets too steep to skin all the way to the true summit? Are ice axe and boot crampons (assuming firmer snow up top) generally required for the last bit? I'd like to leave the extra g...
Excellent stuff. We need to get together some time and take the boys out together. Skiing with your son or daughter is a very rewarding experience although as they get older and stronger and start beating you up the hill and saying, " come on old man", it takes a while to adjust! ;)
There was no cornice - it was long gone. The top was rather thin compared to when we skied it. But the rest of it was incredible - hardly any runnels and fantastic snow the whole way.
Looks significantly less runnelled than our independence day blitzkreig back in 05...
I take it there was less worry about the cornice that missed us by 15 minutes last time?
I take it there was less worry about the cornice that missed us by 15 minutes last time?
author=Robyn link=topic=10604.msg43057#msg43057 date=1215584623]
The n. face of Maude looks quite amazing--great photos!! It's definitely on my list, but it seems like a good move to do it in a day to avoiding carrying tons of camping gear up that gnarly steep trail.
Indeed that was a pretty fun line we found. Thanks for letting me tag along last weekend!
good to see you fellow sliders up there. that couloir look...
author=skierguitarist link=topic=10596.msg43035#msg43035 date=1215554329]
What is Absenthe like and where does one purchase it? Sounds like I should have a pretty good supply of it for my occasional ascent of the Hogsback route. Maybe I should takes some with me?
Absinthe is an herbal spirit made from artemisia absinthium and wormwood extract. There are several brands that are now FDA approved and should be ava...
The n. face of Maude looks quite amazing--great photos!! It's definitely on my list, but it seems like a good move to do it in a day to avoiding carrying tons of camping gear up that gnarly steep trail.
author=skinup link=topic=10604.msg43050#msg43050 date=1215572127]
Strong work.
We were the skier, boarder, and backpacker group that met you on our way down the trail below leroy basin on sunday. You definitely brou...
I don't recall it being that bad below pikers. My memory (admittedly from a year ago and a few times before that) is that the chutes are at least as steep if not more so and certainly more sustained steep. And there's also talus you can hike to the left of the snow going up to Pikers - if your dog belongs on the tour I think he could handle the south climb to Pikers.
Sounds like fun. We're planning on heading up and skiing the SW chutes this upcoming weekend. I've climbed the South climb route 3x, but all a while back. Couple questions....we'd like to bring our very mtn savvy dog but I couldn't remember if the south climb gets real steep just below pikers? If so, maybe ascending directly up the chutes might be better for him? Can anyone shed light on this? If it's not real steep he should be fine,...
That has been on my list to ski for some time, way to get it done in a day!! 8) I may just have to head in there this weekend and give it a shot, glad to hear conditions are still good, thanks for the inspiration once again Sky!
I know how that goes. I was once humbled b...
author=skinup link=topic=10604.msg43050#msg43050 date=1215572127]
Strong work.
Our "two summit in a day" plan didn't work out.
I know how that goes. I was once humbled b...
author=shred link=topic=10546.msg42767#msg42767 date=1215046428]
WOW! The Gunsight is a lot tamer with edges under foot.
I once watched a dog pickle flip all the way down and over the lower rocks, the owner quickly followed pursuit and ended up doing the same thing. Luckily the only major injury was a fractured leg, suffered by the dog...
I agree, with edges under foot such descents are much nicer and one has more control...
Nice work as usual and crazy awesome pics! Sweet turns, nice weather...nailed it.
Nice work... we talked to you very briefly as you two were headed up, and the three of us were headed down near a col. We went up North Spectacle Butte on Saturday in less than ideal conditions, but gosh, what a nice area.
Think we talked to you Skinup at the main creek crossing lower on the trail. Saw the area you skied and thought it looked good. Long ways to haul gear up and sounds like the group forgave you!
Think we talked to you Skinup at the main creek crossing lower on the trail. Saw the area you skied and thought it looked good. Long ways to haul gear up and sounds like the group forgave you!
Strong work.
We were the skier, boarder, and backpacker group that met you on our way down the trail below leroy basin on sunday. You definitely brought good weather with you. Our "two summit in a day" plan didn't work out. We bailed on Maude after trying to wait out the rain and 7K thick cloud layer on the South Shoulder on Saturday. Robin and I then settled for a very fun, early evening ski/board down the couloir on the west face o...
We were the skier, boarder, and backpacker group that met you on our way down the trail below leroy basin on sunday. You definitely brought good weather with you. Our "two summit in a day" plan didn't work out. We bailed on Maude after trying to wait out the rain and 7K thick cloud layer on the South Shoulder on Saturday. Robin and I then settled for a very fun, early evening ski/board down the couloir on the west face o...
Thanks for the picture...looks like it would be barren on the rib-- Maybe next year!! ;D. For the Pamelia Lake area for accessing Jeff, one needs a special use permit which is picked up at Detroit Ranger Station. Sounds like you went in via White Water Road/trail-head--did you need a "special permit" to go to Jeff Park? How about NW Forest Pass, is it absolutely necessary? ;)
Thanks for the report - it still looks pretty good in there!
Thanks for the report and pics! I was thinking maybe the 3rd week in July would still be in, but it's looking like it may not be worth the effort.....
author=Robie link=topic=10598.msg43042#msg43042 date=1215565856]
Joe ,I'm sorry i should have been more clear. What highways did you use ? IT appears FS 23 is closed and perhaps FS25 . Did you go down I-5 ?
No problem Robie, we went I-5, nothing special or more ingenious.
Sounds like you guys enjoyed a great trip. The views from Ruth I think are the best I have seen of the Pickets and North Cascades. Combining Icy Peak in a day would be a feat indeed.
Joe ,I'm sorry i should have been more clear. What highways did you use ? IT appears FS 23 is closed and perhaps FS25 . Did you go down I-5 ?
I would have contemplated going to the summit given the conditions if there were no people up there, but the circus like conditions were above my acceptable level of risk. Most of the trouble was caused by the climbers (rope dragging causing rockfall, etc). The upper picth wasn't icy when we were there - it was starting to corn. I'm not sure why the guy slipped, but speculate it may have been due to fatigue. I'm not much of a summit tagger anyways, and had a great time riding...
Nice work Joe its crazy how fast the snow melted.
Two weeks ago it was a 3 mile hike to the trail head now there is no snow below 6200. This season has been crazy.
Two weeks ago it was a 3 mile hike to the trail head now there is no snow below 6200. This season has been crazy.
Might head back to the Hood this weekend and do a second run down Leutholds C. Think I could have used a special tonic after all the hijenks I witnessed ascending the Hogsback on my last ascent. What is Absenthe like and where does one purchase it? Sounds like I should have a pretty good supply of it for my occasional ascent of the Hogsback route. Maybe I should takes some with me?
US 2 -> Chiwawa River Rd -> lots of dirt road, take the right that says "Phelps Creek."
Hike ~4 miles until you cross a big creek where your feet will get wet. Turn right from the main trail and hike an obvious crazy steep trail. Follow said trail up the south side of Mt Maude.
If you're comfortable with the slope from the top, then you should be mostly all right. There was a short section of rock about 2000' below the top/1000�...
Hike ~4 miles until you cross a big creek where your feet will get wet. Turn right from the main trail and hike an obvious crazy steep trail. Follow said trail up the south side of Mt Maude.
If you're comfortable with the slope from the top, then you should be mostly all right. There was a short section of rock about 2000' below the top/1000�...
That looks awesome! I live up North; that looks like a great run. Where do you start for that trip? Any descriptions of the route?
Nice work fellas. As always - way to style it for the cams!
There are several steeper strips up the west face of Broken Top that will last maybe a week longer, but lower in the bowl gets really bumpy. That bowl on South Sister is going to be good for a couple weeks or more I bet. It has good snow up to around 9K'. Not sure above that. It's going to get a bit harder to get through the lava though. I think mosquitos are coming in the next week or so too. We had absolutely none anywhere on the trip.
author=Marcus link=topic=10596.msg43024#msg43024 date=1215539764]
Nice job not getting rolled into the mess -- it was a zoo up there. Did you come down past the bottom of the Hogsback around noon? We (four skiers) were hanging out just above the White River around then, getting ready to head down. Too much mania above and the legs were tired anyway... great skiing from there down.
Yeah, that was about when we headed down - one...
Others have more or less said it, but any rate, thanks for an inspirational report including the inspiration to be thoughtful about goals and to have lots of FUN!
Nice report and photos. How much longer do you expect South S. and Broken Top to be skiable?
Thanks for the TR. Our group was the skiing group carrying our skis that you have a picture of at Telemarktips. It was a great day to be up there, for sure. The snow was incredible for July 1. I skinned for a little ways up the rocky gully but decided I was more efficient carrying. Some of the others skinned a little higher from that picture, all the way up. I beat them by 45 minutes so was happy with my choice. Being a bit of a rookie skinner, it was ea...
Nice job not getting rolled into the mess -- it was a zoo up there. Did you come down past the bottom of the Hogsback around noon? We (four skiers) were hanging out just above the White River around then, getting ready to head down. Too much mania above and the legs were tired anyway... great skiing from there down.
author=alecapone link=topic=10596.msg43017#msg43017 date=1215535356]
Nice report, thankyou.
Sounds like a bunch of carnage.. I hope everyone is ok.
Carnage is an accurate description. It looked like a battlefield up there.
The woman that got tagged by the rock said that she was okay. She's lucky that it hit her arm and not her head considering that the rock was traveling about half the speed...
Nice report, thankyou.
Sounds like a bunch of carnage.. I hope everyone is ok.
Sounds like a bunch of carnage.. I hope everyone is ok.
author=Zap link=topic=10596.msg43014#msg43014 date=1215533759]
Quite a few years ago, I lost my "summit fever" and focused on enjoying the best descent turns. It's helped me in my 60's stay relatively intact. ;)
Ohh..That's good news Zap, since I never had summit fever, that means I could be intact into the 70's?
Nice report Loofus nice vert!
I agree. A bit of a ways in, so it doesn't get much action. My question on the other site was going to be whether this was easier to access in the winter via the pct, and a lift assist at Stevens. A map answered my question...
I took some photos of the area from windy point mid June if you want a somewhat decent look. Only the first twelve, but 13 looks nice too.. Sorry for the crappy pics.
edit:picture 11 is not the suprise lake area, it's on the east side...
I took some photos of the area from windy point mid June if you want a somewhat decent look. Only the first twelve, but 13 looks nice too.. Sorry for the crappy pics.
edit:picture 11 is not the suprise lake area, it's on the east side...
Loofus, well written description of the "scene". Quite a few years ago, I lost my "summit fever" and focused on enjoying the best descent turns. It's helped me in my 60's stay relatively intact. ;)
author=Merk link=topic=10598.msg42998#msg42998 date=1215491305] Do you think Adams will still be skiable the third weekend of this month? You're description and pics lead me to think it won't be...
hmm...tough call, SW probably out by then. Probably melted out south approach to Pikers by then, below that it will be a haul up the trail with the gear-good luck.
author=Robie link=topic=1...
The scene when I reached the hogback was almost comical as slow climbing parties flailed around, displaying numerous, awkward forms of self-arrest. It ceased to be comical when I realized that they were dodging rockfall. After talking to several climbers, it was apparent that the route was clogged with many inexperienced parties and that they were dislodging large amounts of rock from the upper section of the chute. One experienced climber claimed he had never seen so much rock...
Heh -- I had no idea Lunch Counter was that melted out. We never saw anything beyond 150 feet. Glad you go the weather -- the ski down was just buttery smooth, wasn't it? Great stuff.
I'm thinking about heading down to adams this weekend. couple of questions: where did you hit the snow line? when did you hit skinnable/continuous snow? How far was the hike in without snow? Thanks :)
I skied it Sunday. There is a decent amount of downclimbing through rocks at the bottom of Gunsight before climbing out to the ridge.