TR Replies
Hi Lowell,
My guess is that they were in the drainage to the east of the Old Blewett Road also. It is the basin in between the ridges of the 2 different routes on my map. I see two distinct open blazes there and I wonder if they might be part of the former runs. I intend to ski them soon if the cold temps remain. Was it indeed colder back then that they would put runs on a s/sw aspect?
Interestingly enough, someone I've met requested that I look up an older friend...
My guess is that they were in the drainage to the east of the Old Blewett Road also. It is the basin in between the ridges of the 2 different routes on my map. I see two distinct open blazes there and I wonder if they might be part of the former runs. I intend to ski them soon if the cold temps remain. Was it indeed colder back then that they would put runs on a s/sw aspect?
Interestingly enough, someone I've met requested that I look up an older friend...
Hi John,
Have you ever found anything that indicates exactly where the old rope tows were at the Swauk ski bowl? I've been in touch with a fellow who lives in your area (I think) who's been trying to locate them. I wasn't able to give him any precise information. My guess is that they were somewhere in the drainage followed by the old Blewett road, but he was told by an old-timer that they were a bit farther east, closer to the Swauk campground. Any tips?
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Have you ever found anything that indicates exactly where the old rope tows were at the Swauk ski bowl? I've been in touch with a fellow who lives in your area (I think) who's been trying to locate them. I wasn't able to give him any precise information. My guess is that they were somewhere in the drainage followed by the old Blewett road, but he was told by an old-timer that they were a bit farther east, closer to the Swauk campground. Any tips?
===...
Telemack, thanks for the beta - I will definitely check it out...Cityhick, thanks for the inspiration....Its a crazy winter this year in the PMW - at least I end my time here in epic style...have fun and be safe out there...to borrow some words from Ed Viesturs: "Going up is optional, coming down is mandatory."
I lived in NH for about 8 years and bought my first BC skis there in 1982---haven't used 2 ice tools since! There are TONS of good tours there, and some good AMC huts. Try the trails off the Kancamagus Highway for starters. Ski on as many of the 4000ers as you can and you'll have goals for life.
And hey gang, let's not complain overly about having too much snow. ::) It's OK with me not go wherever I want for a few weekends in the winte...
And hey gang, let's not complain overly about having too much snow. ::) It's OK with me not go wherever I want for a few weekends in the winte...
More photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/kevinsteffa/08_01_Baker
Day 1: round table mtn...
Day 2: looking for ptarmigans!
http://picasaweb.google.com/kevinsteffa/08_01_Baker
Day 1: round table mtn...
Day 2: looking for ptarmigans!
Good to see fun to be had on the "righter" coast....I will be departing this fair state this summer with wife and kids to make a new homestead in New Hampshire - farwell Cascades....you give me hope that I can still get my "fix" without having to relegate myself to the icy hardpack groomers I remember as a kid...I hear Mt Washington has its share of fun tours too...thanks for sharing the video!
Sorry about the misfortune.
We skied the first Bennett Pass clear cut Sunday and it was deep. Almost to deep for the angle of the clearcuts but it wasn't to bad in the trees. The weather station at Bennett Pass snow park is now reporting 241".
Telemack, Bennett Pass snow park is across from the entrance of Mt Hood Meadows on Mt Hood down here in Oregon. It's good for...
We skied the first Bennett Pass clear cut Sunday and it was deep. Almost to deep for the angle of the clearcuts but it wasn't to bad in the trees. The weather station at Bennett Pass snow park is now reporting 241".
Telemack, Bennett Pass snow park is across from the entrance of Mt Hood Meadows on Mt Hood down here in Oregon. It's good for...
Useful report w/ a tragic yet responsible ending. Where is Bennett Pass???
Great photos - wowwee!
I was there the same day in that goodness.
thanks for sharing
Great trip report! since that's such an unusual place for many XC and backcountry skiers. I worked on a USFS fire crew for 2 summers on that ranger district so spent a lot of time in that area but never in winter. Always wondered what the skiing was like in winter.
"Cross Country Ski Routes: Oregon" (2 ed.) by Klindt Vielbig has a chapter called "Clinger Spring and Brooks Meadow" that covers this area. He really likes the ski tour up Lookout...
"Cross Country Ski Routes: Oregon" (2 ed.) by Klindt Vielbig has a chapter called "Clinger Spring and Brooks Meadow" that covers this area. He really likes the ski tour up Lookout...
I'm guessing that today'll be even better - it's a testament to the fact that I like my job that we're not up there right now...
Wow, I am seriously jealous that you got to enjoy yesterday at Alpental, and glad you got down safely. Seriously, how cool of Alpental to run for that few people with a closed pass, very very cool. Yeah Alpental!
author=trumpetsailor link=topic=8993.msg36187#msg36187 date=1201676137]
As usual, skip past the drivel for concise conditions reporting....
Thanks for the concise report, the long one must be quite something! :)
What an adventure, and the photo says it all; time to ski the lifts for sure, very kind of Alpental not to shut them down due to lack of customers.
WWCD? (what would crystal do?)
Nice job on the pics, Jim!! Glad you were able to persuade your better half...for a day of hookie.:)
looks rad! This is my favorite area near portland. I am relatively new to BC but have Avy training I and have been out quite a bit this year. Let me know if you'd like a larger party on your next trip here:)
Snoq Pass Area; adjacent to Mt Catherine.
author=pabloson link=topic=8956.msg36106#msg36106 date=1201625778]
Which Silver Peak is this?
thanks.
I was at Stevens Fri/Sat, but Sundays was the day for phatness.
Another stategy is to exact promises from others to post photos in return for the TR. I use
this method all the time! One teeny problem: nobody has come through with pix yet.... ???
Another stategy is to exact promises from others to post photos in return for the TR. I use
this method all the time! One teeny problem: nobody has come through with pix yet.... ???
Joe, wondering if we did manage to find the same place a month ago or so? I was not sure if we took the best route up there but could be wrong. From the tr it looks like you all had a great time and skied some great snow. I would love to get to know that area a bit more sometime soon. We (mountaineers) skied around Mt. Snoqualmie and had a good powder day as well, looks like that was the case all around.
Until next time,
Chris
Until next time,
Chris
Excellent! Glad you found a new spot! Sounds like it's not too far a drive for you either!
author=Lahar_Dar link=topic=8962.msg36102#msg36102 date=1201623266]
Ohh, ohh, Lee, do tell! GPS coordinates and all. Especially since that one is small, lesser known and a great alternative to more crowded spots. Not to mention the possibility that it may technically be illegal and could be torn down. Do tell Lee, and rot in HELL. You sure are tugging at my heartstrings. Blasphemy.
Have a nice day Lahar. I'm going skiin...
I've always wanted to do that peak as part of my Cascade volcanoe quest, but never found enough snow on my early summer jaunts to Shasta.
author=Snow Bell link=topic=8971.msg36064#msg36064 date=1201570626]
Apparently, in certain circles when someone says: 1,2,3…not it! and one does not respond in turn, he or she is obligated to post a TR.
Joe - there are a couple of alternatives: yell "Do over!! Not it!!" or write a trip report that states everybody but you put their skins on backwards, climbed at a 10 feet per hour pace and cratered on every turn...
Very cool. Way to go get it!
Would love to see the pix if you develop them. That is a beautiful mountain.
Would love to see the pix if you develop them. That is a beautiful mountain.
Nice work guys!!!! That looks like a tough way to spend a day off from school/work...
Ohh, ohh, Lee, do tell! GPS coordinates and all. Especially since that one is small, lesser known and a great alternative to more crowded spots. Not to mention the possibility that it may technically be illegal and could be torn down. Do tell Lee, and rot in HELL. You sure are tugging at my heartstrings. Blasphemy.
author=Snow Bell link=topic=8971.msg36064#msg36064 date=1201570626]After reviewing the avi report in the morning, and expecting some unstable snowpack conditions, we were surprised that the "playing field" was in such great shape. As Joe noted, just high quality H2O! Our group of three headed down the slope, getting our own face shots, and...
No signs of instability whatsoever, just high quality H2O..........
Face shots ensued.
author=shred link=topic=8961.msg36082#msg36082 date=1201582851]
Nice tour guys!! Looks like the crux of the trip was Jamesons sled access. Shortly after viewing that photo... I entered him in the sno-cross freestyle at the X-games (I hope he's ready for the inverts) :) Keep up the good work!
You got me a spot in winter X? Awesome!
Hahaha, getting over that snowbank wasn't a huge deal, I was just a little sur...
bleck....worst ski i've had in a looong time.
at least sunday was much better
at least sunday was much better
author=TonyM link=topic=8958.msg36024#msg36024 date=1201491138]
Scott dug a pit just off the top of Peak 5476 on an easterly/southern aspect.
Sorry, I should have been more specific. We dug the pit on the same slope aspect we intended to ski/did ski. There were no tracks in sight in the area we skied down. There was a group of 4 just behind us, but I don't believe they skied down the north side.
Great stuff Lee! Love the silhouettes pic. What hut is that? How big and how hard to get it?
Nice timing. Looks like we will be inbounds for the next week. But we were enjoying backcountry conditions in the resort on Sunday. Some rowdy slough but nothing big moved.
Nice tour guys!! Looks like the crux of the trip was Jamesons sled access. Shortly after viewing that photo... I entered him in the sno-cross freestyle at the X-games (I hope he's ready for the inverts) :) Keep up the good work!
right on! i was up there skiing the north side first then the south steeper aspect. it was a little sluffy but safe enough for me.
i was wondering if you were the dumbass group that decided to drop in on top of us as we skinned out the north side. there was tons of better snow to skiers right of them, i guess they just like to follow tracks.
i was wondering if you were the dumbass group that decided to drop in on top of us as we skinned out the north side. there was tons of better snow to skiers right of them, i guess they just like to follow tracks.
Thanks for the TR. I went up there about 2 weeks ago. I took that same ?trail? that left from the road right before the creek. I only went up to about where you dug your pit and turned around after getting discouraged by those thick trees. I'd agree and think that one of those first clearings might have been better.
Glad you didn't have any car trouble either. I parked right at the T South of the freeway and got broken into...
Glad you didn't have any car trouble either. I parked right at the T South of the freeway and got broken into...
Rossignol should be paying me for being their human billboard. Quite the klutz on a low-angle slope. Did I mention the unpredictable crust?
Nice report, Joe.
I guess we shouldn't plan on catching you with that one again in the near future, eh? ;)
I guess we shouldn't plan on catching you with that one again in the near future, eh? ;)
Great job on the TR, Joe!
So sorry that I missed out. It sounds like it was fantastic! I'm on fluid overload and extra rest for the time being in order to recuperate enough for the next outing.
So sorry that I missed out. It sounds like it was fantastic! I'm on fluid overload and extra rest for the time being in order to recuperate enough for the next outing.
Thanks, Kenji for leading another enjoyable trip. Here is a link to our GPS track from an interesting web site, everytrail.com, which allows you to create photo-annotated GPS tracks.
Thanks again for leading, had a great time... and the snow wasn't so bad either!
Chris
Chris
Huh.. didn't see that trail, TS. We were following an 3- or 4-day old skin track, off and on, but didn't see any flagging.
The road was driveable, but not by my Honda CRV. On the way in, in the morning, we saw two mega-SUVs driving out. With the first one, I waved him down to warn him that there was a car parked blocking the exit; he grinned and said "well I guess I'll just have to winch him outta the way". I was parked in the start of...
The road was driveable, but not by my Honda CRV. On the way in, in the morning, we saw two mega-SUVs driving out. With the first one, I waved him down to warn him that there was a car parked blocking the exit; he grinned and said "well I guess I'll just have to winch him outta the way". I was parked in the start of...
Are the holes in the lower boulder fields pretty filled in by now?
If you headed up the W/SW spine of Humpback, there was (almost exactly a year ago) a sparsely flagged trail through the thicker trees, about 4' above the snow surface (orange or pink, methinks) in last year's snowpack right along the spine. If I understand you correctly, none of the road that parallels the river/I-90 was driveable? Nifty line for snowshoers too.
Edit: Following the "trail" was still thrashy, but papably better than not following it.
Edit: Following the "trail" was still thrashy, but papably better than not following it.
Stewie,
Nice report. Finally a photographer in the family. Just raise that right arm a bit, and we'll see you on the cover someday.
Nice report. Finally a photographer in the family. Just raise that right arm a bit, and we'll see you on the cover someday.
That's digitally enhanced powder. There were tail grabbers underneath. It should be better by the time you get back.
Character-building laps, Michael? Better ending this time for Randy! :)
Check your PMs.
Check your PMs.