TR Replies
Killer write up - an area I've always wanted to check out. I need to get a bike!
Man! Great write-up Jake! Is this a haiku?
Now hang up that errant board and let's think Slesse.
Now hang up that errant board and let's think Slesse.
We were one guy one gal. Dogs were all good. The one named Nugget got real friendly when we pulled out our lunch
...thanks for the props fellas.
The approach coverage always seems to kick in at 4000', maybe 3 miles from DM horse camp, as the trail bumps up to just before Iron Cap; pretty much bone dry before, full coverage after, althought the swamp may melt out holes, and there is a patch of young trees just after the bump-up that you need to remember to stay right by the river to dodge.
The snowline is at about 4500'. The thin, steep gully's are melting out & will becom...
The approach coverage always seems to kick in at 4000', maybe 3 miles from DM horse camp, as the trail bumps up to just before Iron Cap; pretty much bone dry before, full coverage after, althought the swamp may melt out holes, and there is a patch of young trees just after the bump-up that you need to remember to stay right by the river to dodge.
The snowline is at about 4500'. The thin, steep gully's are melting out & will becom...
Maybe that was you coming up behind Zach, who was on the ridge? We dropped in (3 skiers, dogs, 2 snow skaters; think you were barked at :/ ) right as you were climbing the final pitch to the ridge.. if that was you.
Hope y'all caught a bit of that lovely sunset, and that fast, firm ski out was a nice change from the norm this season, I thought. good times.
Hope y'all caught a bit of that lovely sunset, and that fast, firm ski out was a nice change from the norm this season, I thought. good times.
My group of two and about 7 others and three dogs found it easy to ski the road, with a couple short carries, from the car and into the basin - on Memorial Day. Likely you can still do it that way for a bit.
Oddly, we were the only ones to take multiple yo-yos - everyone else did one run and left for the BBQ I suppose. Was nice to ski from the shoulder on the third run and all the way to the car.
Did the Annette Lake side and out to that trailhead a month ago -...
Oddly, we were the only ones to take multiple yo-yos - everyone else did one run and left for the BBQ I suppose. Was nice to ski from the shoulder on the third run and all the way to the car.
Did the Annette Lake side and out to that trailhead a month ago -...
very cool! Been thinking of getting back in there of late but went and skied 3K of glorious corn (a first this season!) down Sahale...
How was the snow up in there, I imagine with the recent cooling trend, maybe some consolidation?
Also, how was the trek up to Dutch Miller Gap, did you walk it or was there any snow coverage?
Loved the descriptions, that's a burly trip!
How was the snow up in there, I imagine with the recent cooling trend, maybe some consolidation?
Also, how was the trek up to Dutch Miller Gap, did you walk it or was there any snow coverage?
Loved the descriptions, that's a burly trip!
Fantastic trip! Glad your board didn't fully disappear.
Sounds like some honest adventure there! Nicely done and thanks for sharing
Sweet!! Makes me wish I would've skipped work and joined Ben in that endeavor when he extended the invitation. That's some cool terrain. Nice work.
Nice trip! I snowboarded summit chief solo years ago and had a great time. Didn't quite pull the loop you did there. Looks fun!
Mission Ridge = Done. Colchuck Glacier season just starting!
Were you booting until above the boulder field?
Were you booting until above the boulder field?
Didn't study them, but I recall that I noticed the NBC has big gaps in the snow.
Did you get a look at any of the Colchuck couloirs?
Copper Peak saddle looking toward Wallabee late Sunday morning.
That's so great to cover such terrain with such light gear. Euro huts are onto something. Maybe CBA can convince us the powers that be to put a hut-to-hut system somewhere in the Cascades (not counting on it ;-)
Awesome
Awesome
As for timing, we really just needed to sleep until 6, and we managed to score a late "window" Sunday, skiing down around 4:30 pm. I think later would have been even better, although the flats down low were somewhat sticky.
That is very sad to hear about the fatality.
I will second the recommendation for ski crampons and maybe a whippet or two. While brewing some coffee in the wee hours near South Butte on Sunday I witnessed two separate skinners slide head first down the crescent from just below the corniced ridge. Neither of them appeared to have any tools for arresting their fall at hand, but both came to a stop without any real consequences.
Be safe out there and get it while the getting...
I will second the recommendation for ski crampons and maybe a whippet or two. While brewing some coffee in the wee hours near South Butte on Sunday I witnessed two separate skinners slide head first down the crescent from just below the corniced ridge. Neither of them appeared to have any tools for arresting their fall at hand, but both came to a stop without any real consequences.
Be safe out there and get it while the getting...
To add another perspective to timing, We got up to pikers sooner than expected on Sunday: 10:30 and dropped by 11:30. There was no ice and it was top to bottom corn, - Sounds like later was great also. Not sure how sticky the snow got on the return back to the lot, but it was already baked by 12pm, but still sliding with some turns. My perspective on the Chutes is that they themselves have a very large corn window once the snow pack is consolidated.
I g...
I g...
Kamtron - That walk from the end of the snow would have been long in boots! After the sunny weekend it's probably getting longer unless this colder air really slows the melt. Still doable for the willing...
We skied to the Lunch counter on Saturday starting at 1pm. Since our goal was good snow we started late on Sunday working to time our skiing with the best conditions in the SW Chutes. We got gifted with amazing snow all the way down with a 12:45 start from the summit. Early sk...
We skied to the Lunch counter on Saturday starting at 1pm. Since our goal was good snow we started late on Sunday working to time our skiing with the best conditions in the SW Chutes. We got gifted with amazing snow all the way down with a 12:45 start from the summit. Early sk...
Nice! You had better weather than us but sounds like the same mix of snow. Branca hut rules! As do the roman baths in Bormio, btw...
author=jtack link=topic=40745.msg161871#msg161871 date=1527545662]
Thanks for the report, sounds like I had better get cracking!
Conditions were nice on Sunday. I was with a non-skiing friend, so we just hiked to Wamihaspi (Blue Pk) saddle. But there were lots of skiers doing the route, and snow conditions looked pretty good. It was skiable car to car, presumably with some scrambling over the Copper Peak saddle.
author=danpeck link=topic=40745.msg161877#msg161877 date=1527565741]
Curious about the elf slippers.
Scarpa Alien RS.. game changer, engineering marvel.
Wish they would open the road when everything is still covered as the location and views are magnificent.
No!!!! That is such a beautiful car free bike!
Great write-up...gripping good read...keep em coming!!!!!!
author=dave095790 link=topic=40760.msg161880#msg161880 date=1527567873]
We met a really fun couple from Seattle just before skiing under Pyramid, never caught your names but great sharing the exit with you.
Ha! - thanks Dave - it was good chatting above the Colonial Glacier and sharing the exit. Killer conditions/route for sure. Sorry for not introducing ourselves, we were still waking up ;) I'm Brian and my wife's name is Meg...
Ice-Elation
Isolation
Rock Bivy
Isolation
Rock Bivy
Great dual sport trip! I want photos!
I love this TR. This aging process has also opened my eyes to a new thought pattern. ;)
Being an avid mountain biker I am also a purist when it comes to e-bikes on a single track mountain bike trail . Don't approve at all.
However, as I pedaled up the Sunrise road using the lowest eBike assist, all reservations I had about using them on an asphalt road evaporated as fast as the clouds were clearing and the views expanding.
Seemed a vary sensible and pleasant way to access this area.
Times they are a changing .
We met two other people on ebik...
However, as I pedaled up the Sunrise road using the lowest eBike assist, all reservations I had about using them on an asphalt road evaporated as fast as the clouds were clearing and the views expanding.
Seemed a vary sensible and pleasant way to access this area.
Times they are a changing .
We met two other people on ebik...
"Wish they would open the road when everything is still covered as the location and views are magnificent."
No kidding !
Now lets talk about e bikes. Im so torn, Somehow its ok for me to use a modern 650 cc dual sport to access long range desert terrain through Oregon /Nevada /Calif, but somehow my mind says a pedal bike should be human powered. I own 4 of them. Just my hang up perhaps?
Maybe I need to age a little?
Robie
No kidding !
Now lets talk about e bikes. Im so torn, Somehow its ok for me to use a modern 650 cc dual sport to access long range desert terrain through Oregon /Nevada /Calif, but somehow my mind says a pedal bike should be human powered. I own 4 of them. Just my hang up perhaps?
Maybe I need to age a little?
Robie
Thanks for the report, sounds like I had better get cracking!
author=ps44 link=topic=40750.msg161869#msg161869 date=1527533124]
Nice,
Thank you for reporting. Did you do it in one day or did you overnight? How long do you think the approach following the creek will last?
We did a day trip. Left the car around 7:20AM. Hard to say how long the approach will last via the creek. The creek crossing itself wasn't a big problem. It's more whether there's enough snow to stay on...
Nice,
Thank you for reporting. Did you do it in one day or did you overnight? How long do you think the approach following the creek will last?
Thank you for reporting. Did you do it in one day or did you overnight? How long do you think the approach following the creek will last?
thanks photomatt, Zack, Eric and Dan!
nope, just oogled it... one of many. Jason had a deadline, so play room was tight.
author=hedonaut link=topic=40721.msg161844#msg161844 date=1527278174]
hey, did you ski the couloir depicted below this caption: "traversing to the northern ridge of Ragged (7598'), our camp for the 2nd night".
nope, just oogled it... one of many. Jason had a deadline, so play room was tight.
author=hedonaut link=topic=40721.msg161844#ms...
Nice, I skied Stevens Friday. It was great. Did a few laps in Corona bowl and was able to patch together a run to the backside base. Skied DD to the base also with a short carry on our exit. Found some good booty as well!