TR Replies
Way to go and yes great pics.... thanks!!!
Nice work - wish I were there, but I had other obligations. Interesting stuff about the avy near all the ski tracks. Sounds like the south route is done now until next year. I'm already looking forward to heading back. Let's get some July turns next week.......
Congratulations Kyle. Nice TR and great photos.
Glad you maintained your integrity.
Thanks, gravyb! Great work.
If the road is not working for you or if you want a shorter route, try climbers left of the creek starting right at the flat area in the woods near the pass - it goes the whole way as of last night and looked good for at least a few days (and it's cooler in the shade! Think like snow...). But the snow is bummpy and hard in the woods - would be nice to have ski crampons to avoid tedious slipping.
If the road is not working for you or if you want a shorter route, try climbers left of the creek starting right at the flat area in the woods near the pass - it goes the whole way as of last night and looked good for at least a few days (and it's cooler in the shade! Think like snow...). But the snow is bummpy and hard in the woods - would be nice to have ski crampons to avoid tedious slipping.
Thanks gravyb....I might spin up there this evening for some laps as well
a group of us had our annual spring ski camp at Summerland last weekend, June 20-22. I love skiing up there. Having the shelter available for cooking and hanging out is a huge plus. And this year, being able to get the skis off the pack and skinning nearly continuous snow from 4300', made the haul in a real pleasure. Just amazing coverage in the woods.
author=Oyvind_Henningsen link=topic=10492.msg42510#msg42510 date=1214719646]
Suddenly I hit a spot with much more ice and I fell and went for a ride. Tried to arrest with my Grivel Condor which I feel is good for self belaying, but no good for arresting. Lost my poles quickly, worked very hard to get feet down the hill and face in.
You dork.
It was my pleasure to shovel the road and move the logs. Thanks for posting a photo of the now clear route through the debris. It gives me a visual aid to go with the story I told my wife about it. I think I'll go up there tonight. I hope not too much melting happened yesterday! ??? But, I think if Ollalie 'meadow' has lots of brushy melted out areas, skinning up the road is an option.
Lowell,
I think that it can be hard for adults to translate what they have as confidence in their ability gained from years of experience vs. a kid's apparent confidence in such situations coming about because of their lack of experience. That is, most kids I believe may not naturally understand the consequences of a fall on steep snow, nor an understanding of how fast they can accelerate and how difficult it can be to stop. I need to continually remind myself of that when I am...
I think that it can be hard for adults to translate what they have as confidence in their ability gained from years of experience vs. a kid's apparent confidence in such situations coming about because of their lack of experience. That is, most kids I believe may not naturally understand the consequences of a fall on steep snow, nor an understanding of how fast they can accelerate and how difficult it can be to stop. I need to continually remind myself of that when I am...
Beware Lowell,
when they get older ( like Stewie) they start "borrowing " your gear. ;)
Great shots of the arrest sequence.
when they get older ( like Stewie) they start "borrowing " your gear. ;)
Great shots of the arrest sequence.
I thought that rock band on the NFNWR might present more difficulty when I saw it on the circumnavigation report from a couple weeks ago. Looks like it turned into a full-on cliff! Do you have any more pics from a closer vantage of the NFNWR?
Well, now, we don't want to remove the greatness of the Classic "B'Day Tour" near Washington Pass, as that one is another excellent route. (Just a might long and bushwhackey for this time of year.) However, when someone who celebrates their birthday on the last day of June, and still finds the ability to ski car-to-car from the Alpental parking lot, I call that a damn fine present! To top it off, both the company on the tour and the snow conditions were SUPERIOR. Thanks Jim a...
Skied up mid-afternoon today. I had one 30 foot ski carry across easy brush on the way up (on the mature forest/clearcut edge). I saw three guys on their way down from hiking to Silver Peak, but otherwise saw no one until I was lizarding on the ridge NW of the summit where I saw some skis depot'd from some people who evidently hiked to the peak (I was too lazy after skiing to Whitman Crest yesterday). I went back toward my own depot'd skis then saw them skiing down while I lizarded som...
From my memory, looks like that may be them.
author=Lowell_Skoog link=topic=10499.msg42566#msg42566 date=1214799744]
If he expresses a lot of interest in snow hikes/climbs I'm going to have to buy him some better boots.
I would be surprised if he didn't take an interest, but nice to see parents allowing their kids a choice. They discover what they like and It makes it easier to enjoy in the long run.
Great action shots.
So...this is the new "Birthday Tour"? Great pictures.
Happy Birthday, Greg!
Happy Birthday, Greg!
Sorry about the hat. Good excuse thugh to go and get some skiing done. Still lots of snow up there.
Marcus, Lowell, Chris and Pete,
Thanks for coming along on the trip.
It was good fun chasing Lowell around, and a real treat to ski with all you guys.
Yes there was no shortage of heat on the burner, but the snow stayed surprisingly nice up high.
After the group split at the end of the day, we made it up to ski into Naches bowl W-SW face to Tipsoo/hwy410. Turns were good, but got a little runnelly and bumpy near the bottom. I think you guys left at the right time.
Ran in...
Thanks for coming along on the trip.
It was good fun chasing Lowell around, and a real treat to ski with all you guys.
Yes there was no shortage of heat on the burner, but the snow stayed surprisingly nice up high.
After the group split at the end of the day, we made it up to ski into Naches bowl W-SW face to Tipsoo/hwy410. Turns were good, but got a little runnelly and bumpy near the bottom. I think you guys left at the right time.
Ran in...
Nice pics ethan... they really do look sweet. What a good day out on the mountain!
Chris
Chris
OK, finally got around to organizing/posting my pics... 8)
http://ethane.smugmug.com/gallery/5290150_MrNrS#322452973_wDMAx
http://ethane.smugmug.com/gallery/5290150_MrNrS#322452973_wDMAx
Hi Alan,
I should have replied earlier that I thought you made a very good decision on Sauk Mountain. The trail zig-zags up a very steep slope and it's serious business when snow covered.
I'm quite conservative with my son and we've only started doing snow hikes this year. Even though he's gaining some ice axe skills, I'll be very careful about where we go. If we were to cross a slope where he really needed those skills to avoid hurting himself in a...
I should have replied earlier that I thought you made a very good decision on Sauk Mountain. The trail zig-zags up a very steep slope and it's serious business when snow covered.
I'm quite conservative with my son and we've only started doing snow hikes this year. Even though he's gaining some ice axe skills, I'll be very careful about where we go. If we were to cross a slope where he really needed those skills to avoid hurting himself in a...
thanks keith for the update- sorry about the hat, looks like the consolation prize was the good skiing! will look for your tr.
Chris
Chris
author=Jim Oker link=topic=10496.msg42528#msg42528 date=1214762329]
you or someone else traversing toward White River getting a nice payoff just before crossing by Little Tahoma
Those were probably our tracks although they would have been a week old. It was really fun to get some easy turns after all of the travel.
I am glad you posted on the topic. It looked like a fun way to learn a good skill. From my perspective, I will now be able to show my son your post and what you did with your 11-year old and he will connect much better than if I just made him do it.
Earlier this week, my son (also 11) and I backed off of Sauk Mtn. partly because of the steep snow. I am not so sure had he been practiced in self arrest we would have gone on, because there was rockfall going on, but the...
Earlier this week, my son (also 11) and I backed off of Sauk Mtn. partly because of the steep snow. I am not so sure had he been practiced in self arrest we would have gone on, because there was rockfall going on, but the...
Butterflies are awesome. Saw just a few around timberline on Adams this weekend. I can't wait 'till they're swarming up high here in Washington...
Chase the Lowell indeed and in my case it was chase the Marcus and Joe and Pete and Lowell.
There was a lot of traversing on this tour and skinning with no skins which proved to be brutal, got blisters for the first time in years. ;D
It was however great fun and a new area I had never been into. Thanks Joe for the guided tour.
Thanks Lowell on the lesson on how to move fast on moderate terrain with no skins. I'll get back to you on that one. ;)
Thanks Marcu...
There was a lot of traversing on this tour and skinning with no skins which proved to be brutal, got blisters for the first time in years. ;D
It was however great fun and a new area I had never been into. Thanks Joe for the guided tour.
Thanks Lowell on the lesson on how to move fast on moderate terrain with no skins. I'll get back to you on that one. ;)
Thanks Marcu...
Looks like a good time! Thanks for posting the photos showing how the routes look overall. How close to the trailhead can you drive now?
And for some photo's.
Here's a photo of the south climb on June 26th
Buck in the SW chutes on June 25th
Buck, Hambone and Evan at the bottom of the chutes
Here's a photo of the south climb on June 26th
Buck in the SW chutes on June 25th
Buck, Hambone and Evan at the bottom of the chutes
author=Rusty Knees link=topic=10493.msg42511#msg42511 date=1214721627]
At one point, on a 40 degree slope, I was shouting at my dog..."I can ski! I can ski!", and laughing maniacally.
:). You're in like-minded company.
Yep - t'was warm up there. I skied middling to good corn from ~9k at 9 am Sunday on the north side. Glad to hear the Morrison patches are still holding together. There's a lot more snow on the west side than the north.
Thanks for the great TR, glad you are alright.
Great trip report and photos Gary. I'm glad you were able to find a suitable weather window. I see your new AT skis are serving you very well given those nice looking turns on the Fryingpan!
JK
JK
Bravo and props for putting the time in on a lost lid. A sentimental hat blew off my head while driving I-5 back from Seattle. The next day I used an excuse to see a friend to also look for it on the side of 5. I'm sorry it didn't turn out, but nice lookin' turns! Worth the travel.
author=skierlyles link=topic=10497.msg42533#msg42533 date=1214764827]
Looks like you all had a blast out there- that is not hard when you have a Scottsman to liven things up a bit!
How are things holding up there? pt 6538(not sure exactly) looking good still? cornices still overhung pretty big on Naches? Did you all get a look at Yakima? Corn any good or is it getting cupped?
Sorry in advance for all the questions.
Chris
I went early this morning to beat the mush, didn't see anyone all morning until the drive back down from windy pass. Skinned up the windy acres nordic trail and then the west bowl before scrambling from ridge to summit. Good coverage, but melting fast in the clearcuts. Snow was surprisingly firm for the warm temps. Some fun turns and back in Seattle by 11:30 or so....
Went and skied Silver Peak this morning. I left late expecting to find a mushy mess, but no, everything was very firm despite the 75+°F temps. I skinned up to the upper basin, before booting it the last bit up to the ridge. I did a quick scramble to the summit for some pictures, and then it was nice turns on firm snow all the way home. Road is in good condition just about up to Windy Pass. All-in-all, about 3 hours car-to-car.
Pictures: http://picasaweb.g...
Pictures: http://picasaweb.g...
We past you just below Glacier Vista on our way down from FF. I didn't realize it was you and your son until we were past. It's great to see a youngster showing such enthusiasm for picking up mountaineering skills. You must be doing a good job managing his experiences so he keeps such a positive attitude.
Nice Lowell -- neat to see the pics of the trip you told me about. Tom's looking solid.
That's a perfect arrest! Looks like the diagram right out of the mountaineer's guide!
Nice, glad you guys got some turns in some great weather!
We didn't have any Nattering Nabobs of Negativity, but we heard a lot about them!
Not sure which one 6538 is and that section of my TOPO program has some corrupt files... Is it near Seymour? Cornices are melting back quite a bit. Looks like they're shrinking this year, for the most part, instead of collapsing.
Corn was great -- minor cupping starting, but excellent skiing still. I think this is the last weekend for a continuous snow route a...
Not sure which one 6538 is and that section of my TOPO program has some corrupt files... Is it near Seymour? Cornices are melting back quite a bit. Looks like they're shrinking this year, for the most part, instead of collapsing.
Corn was great -- minor cupping starting, but excellent skiing still. I think this is the last weekend for a continuous snow route a...
Looks like you all had a blast out there- that is not hard when you have a Scottsman to liven things up a bit!
How are things holding up there? pt 6538(not sure exactly) looking good still? cornices still overhung pretty big on Naches? Did you all get a look at Yakima? Corn any good or is it getting cupped?
Sorry in advance for all the questions.
Chris
How are things holding up there? pt 6538(not sure exactly) looking good still? cornices still overhung pretty big on Naches? Did you all get a look at Yakima? Corn any good or is it getting cupped?
Sorry in advance for all the questions.
Chris
we were also there on friday and had a blast up there- beautiful views, good skiing, and lots of ski carrying. Our tracks were the ones you may have seen in the gully above fryingpan creek before you exit the woods and before the bridge- not so much fun crossing the stream without a bridge to walk over but the skiing was well worth it in the gully as the lower summerland area was mushy and getting pretty cupped out.
Chris
Chris
Gary- your trip is inspiring and I am glad that you all completed it successfully without any hair- raising occurrences. We were up on the lower Fryingpan Glacier above Meany Crest and noticed your beautiful tracks arcing down the slope. We mentioned that would probably be the best corn slope around but did not get up there as we had another objective in mind. TR to come soon.
Thanks for the inspiration and nice tracks.
Chris
Thanks for the inspiration and nice tracks.
Chris
My pleasure! We packed a nice tour into a short day...
Fun day, Marcus. It sure was warm!
Here's the group ready to perform the "K2 demonstration team start" at the top of one of our runs.
Thanks for being agreeable with my early return schedule. I...
Here's the group ready to perform the "K2 demonstration team start" at the top of one of our runs.
Thanks for being agreeable with my early return schedule. I...