TR Replies

Awesome!  Have any pics worth posting?  I'm pretty curious about the Obstruction Peak area for summertime turns.  I see there is lots of snow left, from 101.
Thanks.

author=Chamois link=topic=40865.msg162278#msg162278 date=1532362644]
Sigh. I will have to plead ignorance again on the landmark Sluskins Chair (?) 

I believe it's technically called the Stevens-Van Trump Memorial,  It's located at about 6000', a bit over a mile above the 4th Crossing trailhead, just above where the Mazama plateau actually briefly narrows to a ridge, and just east of Sluskin Falls.

A mortare...

Belated Happy Birthday!

author=silaswild link=topic=40865.msg162270#msg162270 date=1532188670]
We walked in tennie runners to Sluskins Chair, then skinned up the Paradise River and glacier to 8400'.

Just a safety / navigation reminder for those unfamiliar with the classic Paradise Glacier tour. Paradise Glacier does not drain to Paradise River, rather to Stevens Creek.  One crosses the obscure Puget-Columbia divide at...

Thanks everyone, he was found on Monday.

https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/news/7-16-18-spray-park-sar-update.htm

Thanks Mike for the report, I have missed some of Mikes tries at this, and while I always wished him good luck, I would have been sad to miss this trip.  The skin onto the Overcoat glacier was very exposed for my liking, Mike was concerned that I was out of gas, but the reason I had that deer in the head lights look, was me being scared.  For most of the way we were exposed to “the Gaping MAW” slipping was not an option. The ski down the finger was wonderful, perfectly smooth, perf...

Older dude is right, can't wait til Friday . . .

Good.

Just called Rainier dispatch.  They say he's found.  Expect an update tomorrow.

I saw you two fellas on the way out, when I was headed in for two nights (Hi again!). I saw your turns, and skied much the same aspects you guys got, albeit on saturday and sunday.

Nice photos! I got some too, I think. I got buzzed good by a helicopter sunday morning as I was packing camp (after an ok morning ski on the upper reaches of Russell - fast, icy in patches, but short and sweet).

The headwall above observation rock was a lot of fun, but skiing the Flett headwall...

Susan and I just returned from a Saturday overnight on the Russell. Did not see him. Long and extensive heli search this morning; must have been the full tank of avgas.

When checking in for our alpine-zone permit, we were informed that NPS was short-staffed due to a search in the park, but not that we were going to pass through the search area.

Good luck and good searching to the backpacker and everyone looking for him. The weather couldn't be more optimistic for a sea...

The best!

I enjoyed the photos and TR that provide the condition update. ;)

That looks like a fantastic trip! Love the photo with the corn spray.

nice photos! making me miss WA out here..

looked like an awesome trip!

I kept half way joking that we have to find a cave to sleep in on our last outing where it rained both nights, and you actually found a cave to sleep in! Way to go...  nice snake pic too!

I wouldn't have thought to do Overcoat this late this season, given the skis on the back ratio, but obsession is obsession, eh?  ;)

Congrats Mike and Jamie! That's persistence.

;)

There is reference to a "Stevens Glacier" below Cowlitz Rocks in a book called "A Year in Paradise"... Floyd Schmoe frequently guided "climbing tours" for a tame taste of glacial mountaineering, even in the 20's it was a glorified snowfield.

  The book is an autobiographical account and ecological take on the observations of a green-horn midwestern forestry student and his concert pianist wife who took over the role of inn-keeper for the winter,...

Nice,
How do you usually get on the Chiwawa snowfield?  Do you take the trail to the base of Spide glacier and then go from there or is there a more direct way from the valley (Spider meadows)?  Do you think there is more snow this year than normal?

Thanks for the patient replies - honestly, been skiing up there for 30 years, maybe I've missed something, but only the last few years have I seen this reference.

Been up and down that way many, many times - guess I just need to read a trail sign now and then.  Cheers.

Fourth crossing trail is downhill and to the east of Paradise inn. Drive or ski down (depending on season ) the paradise valley valley one way road, Fourth crossing trail head and small parking lot are just beyond the first hairpin. Major access to Mazama Ridge , back bowls ,Cowlitz rocks,Stevens ridge  and  Paradise glacier. For the long legged folks also Whitman Crest.
There is life beyond the Muir Snowfield

http://www.hillmap.com/m/ag1zfmhpbGxtYXAtaGRychULEghTYXZlZ...

Well that rocks!

Excellent adventure!!! Thanks for posting😉

author=mikerolfs link=topic=40843.msg162195#msg162195 date=1531086299]
  I don't understand the bike shuttle part though. Did you ride your bike from the lot to the top of the skiing? How'd your bike get back down the hill?

I park my bike near the pond skimming area. I then drive up, ski down and leave my skis at the same area I left my bike and then bike up to my car and repeat.

What an awesome creative trip! What a great adventure.

Don't tip! :)

author=CascadeYeti link=topic=40846.msg162198#msg162198 date=1531096552]