TR Replies
author=John Morrow link=topic=40816.msg162119#msg162119 date=1529585079]
Boulder Creek bridge is weakened by undercutting and has a reduced load limit. The toilet pumping truck cannot make it across to pump out the full toilets at the TH due to the weight of the truck. Hence the locked toilets.
I rescind my criticism. :)
author=pipedream link=topic=40816.msg162117#msg162117 date=1529528426...
Boulder Creek bridge is weakened by undercutting and has a reduced load limit. The toilet pumping truck cannot make it across to pump out the full toilets at the TH due to the weight of the truck. Hence the locked toilets.
A friend of mine was over last night and this TR came up in conversation. He claimed there was no "Squaw Lake" and doubted your report of continuous snow from it. I pulled my Green Trails maps out, unfolded the Stevens Pass one and pointed right at it. i suggested he ditch whatever maps (or app) he was using and go buy a physical one that's a little more accurate ;D
author=ps44 link=topic=40816.msg162115#msg162115 date=1529511828]
What is the snow coverage/availability of snow free camping patches around Peggys pond?
The lake is still frozen and the surrounding area is still snow covered, but I bet you could find a flat spot under a tree that would be dry.
Snow looks great; thanks for the report!
What is the snow coverage/availability of snow free camping patches around Peggys pond?
What is the snow coverage/availability of snow free camping patches around Peggys pond?
Cool bear Frank! I think he was just looking to play.
In answer to the PMs, snow started above the comet falls and continuous a bit before tree line, but not much before.
In answer to the PMs, snow started above the comet falls and continuous a bit before tree line, but not much before.
author=frankfrank link=topic=40812.msg162106#msg162106 date=1529354640]
And I'll report a bear on the Fryingpan. I surprised it once as I climbed over a rock on my way to the summit of Whitman Crest, and then after it had wandered off here and there for a while, it started to move toward my location again, so I called out to remind it I was still there. This worked, but unfortunately, the new direction it chose down the glacier was directly toward the nex...
author=myikat link=topic=40812.msg162108#msg162108 date=1529372718]
Does make you wonder what they are looking for up there. Maybe just getting away from the heat.
The temps were actually quite comfortable lower down and there was a cold breeze on the glacier. So it's a good question what was the bear after. Must be their propensity to explore widely to find a source of food; there were goat tracks above Summerland as the on...
author=kamtron link=topic=40812.msg162099#msg162099 date=1529339033]
Looking forward to the Valley road opening up.
The Paradise Valley Road opened ahead of schedule this morning:Â https://twitter.com/MountRainierNPS/status/1008855099072892934
While on the Interglacier it appeared there was some fresh snow that had recently been heat treated. Smooth and easy skiing. Not many other skiers. Clouds moved in mid-afternoon and got our butts moving. Good strong hailstorm caught us on the way back to the lot. If it had kept up a bit longer we could have put the skis back on and skied down the trail.
Does make you wonder what they are looking for up there. Maybe just getting away from the heat.
And I'll report a bear on the Fryingpan. I surprised it once as I climbed over a rock on my way to the summit of Whitman Crest, and then after it had wandered off here and there for a while, it started to move toward my location again, so I called out to remind it I was still there. This worked, but unfortunately, the new direction it chose down the glacier was directly toward the next party of two ascending skiers, out of sight over a roll. Comically, I had a perspective on the whole thing...
author=Zap link=topic=40815.msg162103#msg162103 date=1529345011]
Nice trip report and photo. We're way up in Glacier National Park. Trying to find some high elevation snow.
;)
Thanks, Zap. Glacier is a beautiful place to be. I hope you're able to find some good snow.
Nice trip report and photo. We're way up in Glacier National Park. Trying to find some high elevation snow.
;)
;)
No change yesterday, except the road closure looks like its on a less annoying ~15 minute light cycle for the weekend. Waited 0 and 8 minutes. Fun skiing from the car! Glad the clouds kept the temps down in the early afternoon.
Reporting in from near top of van trump where goats outnumbered folks, thought those first thunderclaps went off right above me. Fun turns tho a bit grabby, almost went over the handlebars once or twice.
Thanks for the adventure, Silas, even if I was a bit too tired and hungry to fully enjoy it at the time.
After a Type 2+ adventure on the logging road and trying to follow the NE part of the Scott Paul trail, the skin up to the crater was pretty uneventful. Crevasses are very manageable, although the Roman Wall takes some focus. The downhill was pretty good. Hoping to avoid our morning misadventures, we followed some crazy old guy (3 minutes after meeting him) down some mostly snow-f...
After a Type 2+ adventure on the logging road and trying to follow the NE part of the Scott Paul trail, the skin up to the crater was pretty uneventful. Crevasses are very manageable, although the Roman Wall takes some focus. The downhill was pretty good. Hoping to avoid our morning misadventures, we followed some crazy old guy (3 minutes after meeting him) down some mostly snow-f...
I skinned up through Golden Gate from the Paradise lot with no carries. No crowds in my favorite zones. Good snow albeit sticky (might've been my wax) higher up where there was more recent snow. Smooth corn! I got chased away by a rain/hail squall at the end of my day.
Looking forward to the Valley road opening up.
Looking forward to the Valley road opening up.
We were over @ Fryingpan glacier/Summerland. Clouds kept the heat at bay; a little rain on the way out @ 430 or so. Getting a little sketchy crossing the creek. Snow proper begins ~ 1/3 mile after the bridge. The snow actually stayed pretty decent on the N facing steeper slopes.
author=Mr_Burns link=topic=40809.msg162090#msg162090 date=1529101270]
Thanks for the trip report! May do the same thing tomorrow, but the forecast is calling for rain/showers/clear/calm/windy/thunderstorms or ???? I guess that is a bunch of words to say "unsettled".
I'd say go for it, could be balmy with nice sun breaks. Maybe you're already on the way up!
Thanks for the trip report! May do the same thing tomorrow, but the forecast is calling for rain/showers/clear/calm/windy/thunderstorms or ???? I guess that is a bunch of words to say "unsettled".
I "enjoyed" reading your TR. There will be a day when you carry your camera/smartphone to share with us what things looked like. ;)
Oh my goodness, Mike, that last picture of Jamie is that moment that stays with us all year (or maybe all life) long. Skiing down steep smooth slopes like we will ski out onto the brilliant blue water. Like so many perfect places in the memory bank. Thanks for that, fellas.
And I would give that goat plenty of space too, btw.
And I would give that goat plenty of space too, btw.
Thanks for luring me away from my desk (again). Best corn I've skied at Colchuck for sure! Here are my favorites:
Just beautiful. Thank you for putting as much effort into the writing as you do into the skiing.
Wow, what a tour de force, and the snow looks like it was top notch for some steep skiing. I had a big grin watching the video on the Tour of the Gods. Beauty only matched by the price tag for admission.
author=Jason_H. link=topic=40803.msg162059#msg162059 date=1528752270]
What a pic!
author=river59 link=topic=40803.msg162063#msg162063 date=1528780452] The footage of you guys skiing off the top, under the moonlight, above the sea of clouds...incredible.
I must agree, I don't think I've ever seen ski footage that beautiful! Â Â
Inspiring story and photos! (as usual)
Thanks for sharing your ski porn!
Thank you for taking the time to share your TRs. Somehow they just keep getting better and better. The footage of you guys skiing off the top, under the moonlight, above the sea of clouds...incredible.
Cool website, cool tour, cool skiing, cool pics, cool story! Nice job all around!
Awesome! Such a great trip. Thanks for sharing! Way to get GP along the way.
Thanks for the photos showing snow conditions!
Thank you all! Hopefully all that endless carrying of skis and ski boots pays off as we switch to alpine climbing.
The camera lived a good life and has been to some cool places, such as the Pickets. Not knowing what to do with myself without a camera, I went and bought the exact same used camera a few days later (which has already been to the top of Sherpa since purchasing it because, well, cameras need to get out).
The camera lived a good life and has been to some cool places, such as the Pickets. Not knowing what to do with myself without a camera, I went and bought the exact same used camera a few days later (which has already been to the top of Sherpa since purchasing it because, well, cameras need to get out).
What a trip! Really enjoyed reading it. That first day sounded longer than I would have enjoyed. Probably the last also. I've walked on dry trail up Indian Creek to Glacier Gap in a day. That indian creek valley goes forever! (I think it's only 9 miles, but it could be 20). You two are really getting in great trips this spring! I hope Radka's birthday is coming up. We'll all miss that camera.
What a journey and an accomplishment with great photos(rest in peace your camera...)...way to get it done; pollen really sucks..
Such a treat to be floating (flying) above the clouds, but too bad about the wind. We need to replace our tent poles after the traverse because they're seriously bent from the night on the Pilz.
Love the puppies!
How did it go for you and Becky on Tenpeak?
Love the puppies!
How did it go for you and Becky on Tenpeak?
Wow! That's some serious wind! Pretty cool to see you were above the clouds - we wondered how the visibility would be higher up for you. Those dogs behind you are great!
great TR! congrats on getting the traverse. Been looking forward to reading how the whole thing went for you two. Good call skiing Glacier on the 27th...Becky and I saw all the weekend crowds and since we had the extra time we chose to wait and try Glacier on the 28th and wow did the wind kick up that day...kept us from topping out...we shoulda joined the hundred other skiers on the 27th :)
little video of just how breezy it was on Monday.
https://youtu...
little video of just how breezy it was on Monday.
https://youtu...
Wow, that was a gnarly descent! I think I had to look away at some point because it was too nerve-racking. We only saw you from a distance so the slope looked super steep. As we got closer, it laid back somewhat and looked more doable. With that said, I only have one photo that I shot from a distance with a wide angle lens.
Cropped:
Cropped:
Dang, I think that camera has lived more than most people in a lifetime. Very entertaining read. I think I made a cameo as a headwall skier- did you possibly get any photos of our descent?
author=PhilH link=topic=40796.msg162040#msg162040 date=1528491568]
I assume you started up the summer trail. How was the creek/river crossing?
Yes we took the summer trail. Crossing the White River was simple as we went higher up valley and crossed where it was continuous snow.
We went maybe 1/4 mile up from where you pop out of the trees into Glacier Basin.
Yakima Peak south side. At the base of the photo is a vehicle on the road. It is our campervan parked next to the snow bank. ;)
I assume you started up the summer trail. How was the creek/river crossing?
Surprising amount of snow up there still! Thanks for sharing!
