TR Replies
It was a fantastic day at Crystal! One thing nice about being a "geezer" ;), and not being able to keep up with those fast kids, it forces us to explore some of the closer options for days such as this. This option certainly paid off big time this past weekend with the massive amounts of new snow and high avalanche conditions. We yo-yoed several runs, and were able to find lots of first tracks t...
Did you ski the face that's visible from the SlS lot (think it's the horse trailer lot in the summer)? We've been eyeballing that one lately. If so, how much vert/approach time involved?
Well, Joe, I got caught this week and had to figure this TR stuff out! So now I can add that you left out those spectacular cornice jumps! Thanks for showing us how it's done!
Surprisingly easy trailbreaking. Expected much more significant wallowing.
Snow consolidation had made trailbreaking less than the arduous work we had expected as well. A rutschblock test failed with one jump at 4600 on south aspect.
Great snow, we made numerous laps in boot and occasional knee deep fluff on the East side of the knob and retired to the car just as the Pass opened.
Snow consolidation had made trailbreaking less than the arduous work we had expected as well. A rutschblock test failed with one jump at 4600 on south aspect.
Great snow, we made numerous laps in boot and occasional knee deep fluff on the East side of the knob and retired to the car just as the Pass opened.
Way to go, we did not notice your tracks when we went by on the railroad grade. Long ago I did part of this and took a header much of the way. :D
Jolly Mtn is 19 miles due east of Snoqualmie Pass and 4-5 miles northeast of the north end of Cle Elum Lake.
i feel like i've seen these pictures before....oh wait, that was last month. does it ever stop snowing out there?? ;)
Sort of "insular" here in Oregon.... So where is Jolly Mt.. Maybe I should take a geograpghy course on Washington!!!!!!!
Two seconds would be too long on a day like that ;) Hell ,I couldn't believe the rest of the crew even wanted to stop for lunch. Ed said I had my evil WTF face ??? on when they all started getting thier sandwiches out. To get four runs in I was driving the crew real hard.
Yeah, Russian roulette without a loaded gun just loses something......
author=MW88888888 link=topic=9043.msg36462#msg36462 date=1202102575]
It was me, alone, (for the sake of a good story) pennyless, in the land of Big Wigs, Actors and Politicians. The only Dirtbag in Hammersmith.
nice report, brings me back some. so you know apsen has a long history of dirt bag skiers. hang around at the flying dog, little annie, or the J bar and you might find some willing to share a day in the...
Don't you guys know "you are playing russian roulette with a loaded gun going out there" it is "3 levels above extreme"!
I think regulations require adequate warning to folks when the helicopter is used to drop bombs, but that was a little over the top yesterday. That was such good snow!!!!!!!!
I think regulations require adequate warning to folks when the helicopter is used to drop bombs, but that was a little over the top yesterday. That was such good snow!!!!!!!!
Quote from: jeff_s on Yesterday at 09:54:45 PM
but on a fantastic powder day how can you stand to stop skiing long enough to set up and take photos?)
as for taking pictures. i have a pentx w10, it's waterproof and shockproof. i keep it in my ski pants or jacket pocket. it takes just 2 seconds to get out, snap.. i'm done. it takes seconds and it's so worth it.
but on a fantastic powder day how can you stand to stop skiing long enough to set up and take photos?)
as for taking pictures. i have a pentx w10, it's waterproof and shockproof. i keep it in my ski pants or jacket pocket. it takes just 2 seconds to get out, snap.. i'm done. it takes seconds and it's so worth it.
Nice chatting with you guys yesterday, and thanks for breaking trail! Perfect routefinding and angle, we were surprised that you hadn't been there before.
Yes, run #2 and #3 just got better and better. Here's some pics:
Edited to add: Sorry, didn't mean to hog the photo allotment, let me know if you want to post some pics and I will turn mine into thumbnails.
Yes, run #2 and #3 just got better and better. Here's some pics:
Edited to add: Sorry, didn't mean to hog the photo allotment, let me know if you want to post some pics and I will turn mine into thumbnails.
Sounds great! Much better than staying home watching football, which is what my ski partner (aka Husband) wanted to do; I went biking instead.
Regarding the 10 AM opening, I don't think I'd be whining about that! A noon or 1:00 opening (if the gate opens at all!) has been the norm this year. Not sure what the deal is, but that's another post for another day.
We've found ourselves doing a lot of "Plan B's" this year due to the Park Service...
Regarding the 10 AM opening, I don't think I'd be whining about that! A noon or 1:00 opening (if the gate opens at all!) has been the norm this year. Not sure what the deal is, but that's another post for another day.
We've found ourselves doing a lot of "Plan B's" this year due to the Park Service...
author=cochise link=topic=9040.msg36453#msg36453 date=1202092378]
Most people would think we are insane.
Except the 3 snowshoers who wrecked our skintrack and didn't have beacons. Of course if kendal knob did release that 5 foot slab, beacons would only be good for recovery of body parts still attached to beacon.
Surprisingly easy trailbreaking. Expected much more significant wallowing.
That did not suck.
Was a bit shocked at the stability. I would have expected more sluffing, particularly across the street.
Was a bit shocked at the stability. I would have expected more sluffing, particularly across the street.
Sad road conditions but a useful scouting mission. Keep us posted.
OK rather than replying to the questions via email and pm I will try to clear up my confusing report here. I drove both ways, first up penny creek and that is where I skied the road. I then exited penny creek and went a little north of Quilicene and tried the Lords Lake route. I didn't have my altimeter watch with me yesterday but would guess I was stopped both times around 1200, a good reference would be the intersection of roads 27 and 28 on a topo. The forecast shows rain at this elevati...
I moved to Northwood, NH (from Sandy, OR) this past Aug with my wife and kids and would love to hook up with some backcountry skiers/boarders who know the areas or are willing to explore. please let me know where to find the goods. thanks
-Eric
-Eric
Nice. We almost went to Paradise yesterday, but decided to head to Crystal instead. The bc skiing at Crystal was fabulous too ;D.
author=jeff_s link=topic=9046.msg36466#msg36466 date=1202104485]It's really had to stop and take a few pictures, but if you do it early on, you can get the camera put away and just ski 8).
but on a fantastic powder day how can you stand to stop skiing long enough to set up and take photos?)
Glad you all had fun & stayed safe...10 AM is the best the Parking Service has managed in quite some time...we did the Ditch twice, then Refrigerator & the woods alongside Narada Face...truly rapturous powder that felt like hang-gliding just above the snow!
I can further confirm that, in that particular pit, I believe that Silas found conditions to be really quite stable. In addition, I engaged in my own, far less sage, but still effective, crash-pit-digging, again without generating any slides.
Good snow with fun folks! Thanks again!
Good snow with fun folks! Thanks again!
Great shots Cass!! Man - you do need a snorkel there.
:) Well...I guess one of the advantages of VA is that at least you don;t need a snorkel to get around...
author=kam link=topic=9029.msg36467#msg36467 date=1202105065]
um, i would have to dispute that -- not everywhere! :)
:) Well...I guess one of the advantages of VA is that at least you don;t need a snorkel to get around...
author=juan link=topic=9029.msg36455#msg36455 date=1202095787]
Nice, Chris. Thanks for the report. It was a good day everywhere.
um, i would have to dispute that -- not everywhere! :)
We skied from Hyak, Kecheelus lift to upper nordic trails and low angle slopes off trails and down and around the metal pole power lines. Great skiing on metal edge waxless BC skis. 6 to 10 inches of light fluffy powder on several feet of uniform consolidating snow -- stopped to check out a pit that patrollers were digging. They had not reached the week frost layer yet at 4 feet down. We could see shallow slide crowns curving around Mt Cathering at the tops of open areas, but not major sli...
Nice, Chris. Thanks for the report. It was a good day everywhere.
The reason I read TAY on Friday is to see what my brother Larry has to say, since I can't call til late Friday night or Saturday due to his schedule. I am so curious as to how his week went, and I envision always being there too. I can only make it out with him overnight every two or three weeks, and if he didn't go, I wouldn't either.
So Lar, keep posting so I don't have to wait til Saturday to see what you are up to. I love to see you write about you...
So Lar, keep posting so I don't have to wait til Saturday to see what you are up to. I love to see you write about you...
We were up there too! Great skiing! In the pit I passed down lower about 3500 ft there is about 5ft of snow on the weak crust layer. It seemed to be consolidating nicely. Crust is rotten watch those steeper open slopes this week. We skied the south side all day and the stability was great even on the steepest stuff you can find up there.
As for the boys in blue...give them a break. They don't have the knowledge of BC travel like we do. They have been dealing with an abunda...
As for the boys in blue...give them a break. They don't have the knowledge of BC travel like we do. They have been dealing with an abunda...
The "police officer" was a security staff member for the Pass, just doing what he was told I guess. A dozen of us had the same experience with him, tho fortunately some of us had a nice chat with a pro patrollman driving to Alpental to work the problems there.
Quite likely that the security fellow has never seen a snowshoe or backcountry ski, kinda out of his element which is probably ticketing illegally parked cars.
Quite likely that the security fellow has never seen a snowshoe or backcountry ski, kinda out of his element which is probably ticketing illegally parked cars.
Cool report! Just last week I learned that Satus Pass ski area existed while perusing Lost Ski Areas of Washington.
One common trick for a good glide set up for flats or low angle sticky trails is to take an old skin and cut it in half lengthwise, then attach clips for each half skin to go down the center of each ski. For fat skins, you may need to split in half again to get the desired glide. I any case, it's fairly light and...
One common trick for a good glide set up for flats or low angle sticky trails is to take an old skin and cut it in half lengthwise, then attach clips for each half skin to go down the center of each ski. For fat skins, you may need to split in half again to get the desired glide. I any case, it's fairly light and...
just can't fit 11+ hour trip within daylight hours. riding pow by headlamp can be quite enjoyable.
Thanks for the thoughtful TR Larry (pics or not).
Keep 'em comming.
;)
Keep 'em comming.
;)
Always kinda nice when you get 5+ feet of new snow in the days leading up to Groundhog Day. :thumbsup:
As alpymarr says, "I love big dumps" ;D
As alpymarr says, "I love big dumps" ;D
Our over the hill gang veered left (N) a couple miles up and stayed near the summer trail to about 5000'. We turned at 3PM, back at HQ about 4...fun, but almost takes a helper to get up when you crash that deep. Dorothea lost it on the steepest traverse & we had a bit of drama getting her right side up...we never would have made it that far without your super-human trail breaking effort!
A well written report plus pics of an area that I haven't been, I can't find anything to complain about there. Thanks for the report and keep them coming. I think there's room enough for all the different types of reports but I guess we'll see.
Wow, I hope they take pictures. It would amazing to see the phantom go... from a distance.
Thanks *so much* for the encouragement John, SG, and Silas. It makes a big difference in my enthusiasm. Maybe I'll do that TR about how to ski camp with Raynauds when the temps are near zero after all. At least the tricks I've learned the hard way.
Larry
Ps: no Raynauds is not a buddy of mine from France. ;) If you have it, you know it. Hands and feet turn white and go completely numb with exposure to cold among other triggers. Treatment options are quite limite...
Larry
Ps: no Raynauds is not a buddy of mine from France. ;) If you have it, you know it. Hands and feet turn white and go completely numb with exposure to cold among other triggers. Treatment options are quite limite...
You bet. What time did you head down?
Just came back from skiing Snoqualmie. Skinned laps at West until the power came back on around 1:30pm, then skied Central til 6pm. Temps were in the mid to upper 20's.
Alpental's closed due to high avy danger. Alpental Road is still closed to non-residents, and will remain so through tomorrow. Ski Patrol will be lobbing bombs out a helicopter if the weather is good enough, and they're hoping to hit Phantom on Snoquamie Mtn.
Alpental's closed due to high avy danger. Alpental Road is still closed to non-residents, and will remain so through tomorrow. Ski Patrol will be lobbing bombs out a helicopter if the weather is good enough, and they're hoping to hit Phantom on Snoquamie Mtn.
author=Larry_R link=topic=9023.msg36379#msg36379 date=1201959139]
Sad to say, but the recent thread about the uselessness of this site has somewhat drained my eagerness to write TRs. The general tone, a bit harsh to my ear, made me wonder whether or not Fay Pullen has a better solution for my thin skin; she still does her wonderful TRs, but distributes them via private mailings.
Imagine if managing, moderating, and spam recovering TAY...
Love this trip report! Looks like a very beautiful place for sure. Don't get out enough so reading these reports is vicariously very cool!!!! Keep 'em coming please. sg
Thanks for this most useful TR John. I've always wondered about skiing that side of the hill. I used to ski camp right on the top, with access via Road 800 with XC skis. Used to until Jane and I almost got blown off the top on one trip. :) After that I started camping a bit lower down nestled right against the line of trees, protected from the wind.
Larry
Larry
Looks like your visibility got better later in the day...nice photos Lisa.
Never stop posting, Larry. My humble opinion at the moment. I will waffle over it for sure! I very rarely feel that someone might be boasting, or whatever, on a post. I typically don't read long segments , kinda skim them I guess. But I really enjoy knowing what is going on out there. Not just conditions, but who is out, the type of trip and terrain they are seeking, the few special pics they choose, etc. Take Charles' trip up Lennox area. Been studying that one for years and...