TR Replies
author=danhelmstadter link=topic=10549.msg42755#msg42755 date=1215043029]
Schweet! did you do one of the north face couloirs of Blackmore? I remmember there is a lot of cool terrain in that area, skiing the Great One, on Sac changed my life. any pics?
The Blackmore top chutes are money right now; I skied from the summit down the drainage to the flats, then booted back over the ridge, and then down the SE face. No photo...
Thanks for the TR and great photos, I love the colors in Climbing to the Boston-Forbidden col.. I've gotta do this one someday.
Great report and photos. We were wondering about you guys as we looked down to the melting of Morraine Lake. Glad you found a way across! Congrats on finishing the tour in two days and negotiating the difficulties along the way. Paul and I did it in 3 days two years ago earlier in May http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=4764.0
Definitely a classic traverse.
Definitely a classic traverse.
We were the group of skiers next to you at the trail head. Nice trip report and photos. It's good to see you had a great trip after changing plans on the fly. I agree with you, this is also one of my favorite places in the Cascades.
Thanks for all the updates. Was thinking of a possible trip there this weekend.
author=fresh link=topic=10517.msg42656#msg42656 date=1214920967">
Sounds like a great trip, Nate! The Pete and Becky summit photo is classic:
Ditto! Glad you guys had a good trip, too bad you had to lis...
author=Scotsman link=topic=10546.msg42737#msg42737 date=1215031258]
Wow, glad everybody is Ok!
Good writing Lisa, you had me gripped!
Thanks Scotty, I work on my writing as I meet with some serious writers once a week and they really are good. One has a PHD in literature and two others a Masters and another, Garth Stein just publised a novel called, The Art of Racing in the Rain, so when my feeble attempts are noticed it makes me...
Hiking to about 3600 feet. then continuous snow.
Congratulations on completing the circumnav Gary! That's a great and inspiring trip. Sounds like you made some really good route choices and had a good weather window. I share your respect for the mountain and its enormity that comes with the remoteness of this traverse. Well done.
author=silaswild link=topic=10490.msg42769#msg42769 date=1215047243]Nice! At least some variety.
If I-5 is too busy Seattle to Olympia, a very pleasant alternative, only 30 miles longer and quite likely shorter timewise, is I-90 to I-82, then US97 through Toppenish, then west from Maryhill (thanks Brian!)
author=Scotsman link=topic=10532.msg42691#msg42691 date=1214969980]
Nice chute Chris.
River crossing looked sketchy though.
I was on a tour with Charles on the interglacier two years ago and when crossing the Interfork, one of our party,( not me or Charles )fell in, full submersion. After stripping down ( not a pretty sight) and drying clothes partly on some sun baked rocks, the tour continued. I was impressed .
the r...
Dan, nice tracks on a classic line that was a bit fatter awhile back. It is amazing that there are some beautiful lines that don't require epic long slogs. ;)
the enhanced version of the dirtbag diaries story The Crusade is now on-line:
"Finally, we’ve got a special treat for you – The Crusade Enhanced. Photos by Jason Hummel, Sky Sjue and Ben Manfredi. Video by Phil Fortier. There are some sweet shots from over a decade of Cascade steep skiing. Skiing these peaks is a feat in itself – stopping to take the photos is another epic task in itself."
http://thedirtbag.libsyn.com/
Fitz Cahall emailed me today...
"Finally, we’ve got a special treat for you – The Crusade Enhanced. Photos by Jason Hummel, Sky Sjue and Ben Manfredi. Video by Phil Fortier. There are some sweet shots from over a decade of Cascade steep skiing. Skiing these peaks is a feat in itself – stopping to take the photos is another epic task in itself."
http://thedirtbag.libsyn.com/
Fitz Cahall emailed me today...
Thanks guys! I thought it was a pretty cool route. A good challenge but never too scary. Though I was definitely nervous about the sloppy snow on the ski down. Luckily the sluffing in the Finger was fairly predictable and limited to the surface layer of snow -- none of the wet slab issues from last week that were very apparent all over the Nisqually, Wilson and Turtle...
Nice work man, those are some beautiful tracks. Sucks about the sh***y rock the cascades have, always trying to take out climbers. Sick line again bro, props.
author=Kyle Miller link=topic=10545.msg42751#msg42751 date=1215041326]
Glad to see someone accessing that amazing terrain.
Congrads on a sick tour
Ditto that. Nice pics.
author=andyski link=topic=10490.msg42685#msg42685 date=1214958579]
So...are people driving from the Seattle area taking I-5 to the river and then east, or are any of the inland forest road routes open?
If I-5 is too busy Seattle to Olympia, a very pleasant alternative, only 30 miles longer and quite likely shorter timewise, is I-90 to I-82, then US97 through Toppenish, then west from Maryhill (thanks Brian!)
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 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...
Sounds as though that thing is a bit sketchy. Did you have to do the one turn at a time method. I had a rock come to me and I was ready to click in -- I took my ski and blocked it. The doctor said rocks can like that can kill ya. At least we're always learning out there.
Ditto -- hadn't made the connection until now. Nice work, Doug!!
Sorry bout the binding, but looking at your AMAZING pictures, I was in awe! Nice work, great trip and tr!
They'd probably tell you it was illegal to spit too. Oh well - glad you guys had a good time!
Just realized this was you, Doug -- nice job! Good choices on the descent, sounds like, re: sluff control and downclimbing.
Schweet! did you do one of the north face couloirs of Blackmore? I remmember there is a lot of cool terrain in that area, skiing the Great One, on Sac changed my life. any pics?
Glad to see someone accessing that amazing terrain.
Congrads on a sick tour
Congrads on a sick tour
author=cascadesfreak link=topic=10490.msg42648#msg42648 date=1214892682]
The sky had been clear all day, but dark clouds began to build as we hiked down the road from Cold Springs (very glad to have brought approach shoes as to avoid hiking in ski boots). Made it back to the car just before a huge thunderstorm charged in; I don't think I've ever seen hail that intense in Washington before (about marble-size pellets bombarding the ca...
man does that look steep and gnar! Impressive.
Hey thanks for the kudos people!
You know I actually skied the Carrie Glacier many years ago one August while on a backing trip with my wife. I day hiked up with some ultra light rando gear, but the snow was very hard and sun cuppy so it wasn't much fun. I always thought an earlier spring trip would be great, or in this case a lingering winter. On this recent trip with that week of hot weather we just had, the snow was forming sun cups by the time we got to Dodger. We really hit it per...
You know I actually skied the Carrie Glacier many years ago one August while on a backing trip with my wife. I day hiked up with some ultra light rando gear, but the snow was very hard and sun cuppy so it wasn't much fun. I always thought an earlier spring trip would be great, or in this case a lingering winter. On this recent trip with that week of hot weather we just had, the snow was forming sun cups by the time we got to Dodger. We really hit it per...
Lisa - That's too funny. I was absolutely stuck on the idea of wanting to ski Three Fingers myself when Paul was in town. Thankfully Andalkar had researched the road issue ahead of time, as I was quite busy with other things. I had thought about Pilchuck as the alternative. SE Chutes is one of my favorite/memorable ski descents, even though it's short, I love the location.
Nice turns! 8)
Nice turns! 8)
Good job, Sequim-Man. Sending PM.
Great photos, Paul! That sure is cool country. Let's go back some time.
Bummer about the binding incident. Thanks for mentioning it and reminding us all to watch out for that sort of thing.
Bummer about the binding incident. Thanks for mentioning it and reminding us all to watch out for that sort of thing.
Nice trip on the windward side of the range. The Bailey's look so tempting from hurricane ridge. But what a challenge to access them. Good job.
Yow! Glad y'all alright.
The Mountain Loop, and in particular the town of Darrington, seem to remind many people of Deliverance and its mileiu. I used to work with a guy named Tab Tabscott who was a bluegrass picker and he wrote this hilarious song called "Shallow Grave in Darrington" that sums up the vibe perfectly ;D
The Mountain Loop, and in particular the town of Darrington, seem to remind many people of Deliverance and its mileiu. I used to work with a guy named Tab Tabscott who was a bluegrass picker and he wrote this hilarious song called "Shallow Grave in Darrington" that sums up the vibe perfectly ;D
Wow, glad everybody is Ok!
Good writing Lisa, you had me gripped!
Good writing Lisa, you had me gripped!
Finally made it up there myself today (July 2nd) for a morning patrol. Saw one other group and as I left there were 3 other cars parked, so people are getting it while the getting's ... existant. As others have reported the snow is surprisingly hard. And fairly cuppy. I'm used to it being a little smoother up there, but I'm also used to being able to get up there 4-6 weeks earlier. Go the suggested along-the-creek way at the very least for the first half up, and down, of the norma...
Very cool tour Tony. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the board. I will look forward to hearing about your next adventure.
Gary and I were very lucky with the weather window and truly enjoyed all that went with such a trip; fatigue, discomfort, adrenaline, route finding, skiing, laughing, adventure,
breath taking beauty....
breath taking beauty....
Wow, still snow down to Morrison Crk. Pretty late year indeed. I too would suggest the trek up Morrison Crk. drainage when it has adequate snow More snow cover lets you skin up where as the road is probably mostly bare. Having done both, I can attest that it's faster and a shorter hike going up the drainage + gliding my skis along always feels better than having to carry em.
Nice TR and photos. Good decision on the trip modifications. About the binding problem,I have learned to use a process that ensures the boot and binding are engaged. I have found that in spring/summer condtions that I may be skiing steeper slopes and many times a combination of soft corn and firm sun cups which can stress a boot/binding interface. Glad to hear you had a relatively safe slide.
Nice to meet you also Dave. Glad we found a fairly direct route out. I still wish I would have skied that second waterfall ;) Here's a picture of us at the end of the snow, looking forward to those beers.
When I saw Sky’s quote on death and hiding beneath the bed…I thought ut-oh. I run a podcast called the Dirtbag Diaries and the quote that sparked this debate came out of a radio/rich media piece I worked on with the Hummels and Sky and well in makes more sense inside the context of the radio piece than as a quote on a message board.
Click here to listen – you're going to need a high speed connectio...
Click here to listen – you're going to need a high speed connectio...
nice one! I've been wondering about that chute the last couple of trips up there.
Thanks JD (I enlarged the thumbnails)
Thanks for the beta LowRider!! Did ya hike much trail on the way up, or is it still snow covered?? Summer is finally here and getting some July turns!!
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Cool trip, and nice pictures, esp. the B&W (just wish the thumbnails opened larger versions).
I was up on Silver latter that afternoon. Too bad I missed you. I had fun on Unicorn together. The open areas softened up nicely later in the day. With just my skins I had trouble on steeper sections where the cups were still firm, even at four pm.
I would have said the snow sucked, BUT I was at four thousand feet and it is July, so I guess I mean it was awesome.
I would have said the snow sucked, BUT I was at four thousand feet and it is July, so I guess I mean it was awesome.
Scotsman - I honestly don't know. Not many tourers go to this area because its popular with sledders. Maybe the commercial and private sledders don't mind garbage in the alpine?
author=telemack link=topic=10499.msg42704#msg42704 date=1214974562]
Yeah, but then they start breaking trail for us....
Yeah right ;)
He's just starting to mow the lawn now, but he wants money for that! He'd probably want to get paid for breaking trail.
Alan