TR Replies
You don't mention whether you and your friend were or weren't using beacons, but since it sounds like you had a bit of difficulty locating your friend I thought I'd ask.
Of course, if you weren't you might consider getting one.
Of course, if you weren't you might consider getting one.
Damn, glad your friend is OK. Looked like a decent day of there.
I decided to pass hitting Heather Ridge with you guys on Friday and rode lifts at Stevens instead. It was definitely on the heavy side and quite a few people floundering (especially skiers, it was a good day to be a snowboarder). Snow seemed to get better as the day progressed and it also seemed that a lot of people left the mountain early. I ended up having a great day.
author=jack link=topic=8775.msg35250#msg35250 date=1200197700]
Actually i was with Snoslut that Sunday
Good to make you acquaintance then....next moderate day with vis lets plan to ride up at Baker together. Our group is typically 3-4 guys, but its always great to ride with other spliters.
nasty tree well. scary!
The picture of this slide has really been bothering me because the slope looks so benign. After searching through all of my pics, none of which really shows it well, I finally realized the one missing piece in this whole discussion, and that's slope angle. There is significant "foreshortening" in that photo that takes away the steepness of that slope. Now I agree with all that has been said here and that any slope can slide, but that is a very steep slope and in...
Wow, glad to hear that your friend was okay. Those tree wells are certainly nasty beasts. Thanks for the tr.
hey Tophervw. Actually i was with Snoslut that Sunday and that was my first time in the area. I believe we were in Moonlight Bowl. It was fun, I will definitely have to make it down there more in the future and we will have to do some touring.
yeah that snow was typical Cascade silliness, with the low angle slope we were trying to head out on, it was so thick we found it easiest to ride out the skin track.
yeah that snow was typical Cascade silliness, with the low angle slope we were trying to head out on, it was so thick we found it easiest to ride out the skin track.
Yep - our experience in the area was similar. A wardrobe malfunction led us to get an early... and then a late start. Still raining at the 3500-3800' level at ~4:15 pm when we reached our high point. Rained all the way home too.
Character-building indeed for my housemate's first day in the BC - deep goo and tree skiing on unfamiliar fat planks were novel for an east-coast resort skier. Did something right though - he still wants to ski tomorrow (elsewhere).
Any...
Character-building indeed for my housemate's first day in the BC - deep goo and tree skiing on unfamiliar fat planks were novel for an east-coast resort skier. Did something right though - he still wants to ski tomorrow (elsewhere).
Any...
author=Rusty Knees link=topic=8783.msg35244#msg35244 date=1200189986]
I read Silaswild's trip point, and it inspired this trip report of our uninspiring trip.
Uhh, thanks? ;-) Yeah, good exercise and surprisingly nice skiing in the trees, but reminding us of the more normal Cascade snow quality, after a month of unusually light white stuff. Thanks for sharing the conditions you found.
Welcome King.
Thanks for the info. Too bad about the late gate. I had considered headed up there tomorrow but it looks like I will head in the other direction. Please keep posting Oly reports and keep me in mind for future trips.
Joe
Thanks for the info. Too bad about the late gate. I had considered headed up there tomorrow but it looks like I will head in the other direction. Please keep posting Oly reports and keep me in mind for future trips.
Joe
Great video!!!!!!!!!!!... Haven't skied Crystal since patrol days in '82. Love that tree skiing and miss the heck out of it, especially with some pitch to it (We don't call Bachelor "Flatcheller" for nothing). Were you skiing above Gold Hills/ Norse Peak wilderness/ pickhandle basin-- almost? Not many of us call beacons "bacons" here either.
Fun but spooky snow pack up there...careful while you're tearing it up..... Kee...
Fun but spooky snow pack up there...careful while you're tearing it up..... Kee...
Jack~
Glad to see you make it down to the southend. We ran into Slut last Sunday out there. Thanks for the pit info, deff. helps with destination decisions. Wish you had found more stable conditions out there, that is some great terrain. Glad you guys pulled chocks, that takes alot sometimes. But i guess if ya had burgers on the brain its a bit easier.
Glad to see you make it down to the southend. We ran into Slut last Sunday out there. Thanks for the pit info, deff. helps with destination decisions. Wish you had found more stable conditions out there, that is some great terrain. Glad you guys pulled chocks, that takes alot sometimes. But i guess if ya had burgers on the brain its a bit easier.
Thanks to everyone for their comments and theories.
I am sure this could be analyzed and many theories could be possible, here are my thoughts in simple, non scientific terms.
The (X) slope slid because the wind loading finally built up enough slab (weight) on the slope to collapse the underlying weak layer.
Why did the other slopes not slide? In my opinion, they could have, had a skier or snowshoer ventured out in those areas at the time. The othe...
I am sure this could be analyzed and many theories could be possible, here are my thoughts in simple, non scientific terms.
The (X) slope slid because the wind loading finally built up enough slab (weight) on the slope to collapse the underlying weak layer.
Why did the other slopes not slide? In my opinion, they could have, had a skier or snowshoer ventured out in those areas at the time. The othe...
I did. Turns out the binding didn't exactly break, just jammed. I disassembled the heel mechanism when I got home. When I fell on it in the free positing, the heel assumbly tourqued against the foot rails and bound up. The pounding from the shovel was all it needed to unjam.
For anyone curious about the performance of '06/07 Silvertta Pure Free rides - I am not overly enthusiastic. This is the 2nd time in two seasons the bindings did something w...
For anyone curious about the performance of '06/07 Silvertta Pure Free rides - I am not overly enthusiastic. This is the 2nd time in two seasons the bindings did something w...
Big Joe, that was my buddy, Lintermans. Were you hiding under the cornice? I don't remember anyone around when it happened. He was executing an "extreme" de-skinning technique only known to A/T'ers. Luckily, his binding gave, not his tibia! After too many mintes trying to finess it w/ frozen fingers and a leatherman's, He sledge hammered it with a shovel...Voila! Followed by almost 4k' vert of rock solid powder performance. Lint-...
Great information! Does anyone know of any organizations that offer decent avy courses?
Thanks
Thanks
Boy am I glad I didn't make that foobah.
You'll be very lucky if you escape with no more than Snow Bell's courteous comment. ::)
Thanks for not making similar mistakes with the snowpack info.
(sorry, I just can't help myself - please forgive me)
So - How long have you and the "Slut" been "going out"? (together in the backcountry, I mean).
(I knew it wouldn't be long before some else commented but was really tryin...
You'll be very lucky if you escape with no more than Snow Bell's courteous comment. ::)
Thanks for not making similar mistakes with the snowpack info.
(sorry, I just can't help myself - please forgive me)
So - How long have you and the "Slut" been "going out"? (together in the backcountry, I mean).
(I knew it wouldn't be long before some else commented but was really tryin...
In the "something other" category -- pole probes, Once you have an idea of the layers, you need to be able to see how they vary over distance and changes in aspect and elevation. You can dig multiple pits, but constantly probing with your poles can give you a lot of infomation on the depth of the wind deposit, strength of the underlying crust, density below the crust, and anyof the other factors you found in your pit tests or have gathered from following the snowpack...
Thanks for the info on the snow pack but...
:-[
author=jack link=topic=8775.msg35212#msg35212 date=1200098898]
man i just cant stuff enough dicks into my face.
:-[
Would love to show you some gems Bryan, check your pm.
Lisa
Lisa
Didn't your buddy break his binding that day? I was out there the same day, using the same uptrack.
Your info on the headcam gear is useful. If you want to share higher quality video than youtube, there is always www.vimeo.com. They have a nice system for supporting sharing of high quality video...much nicer than that grainly youtube stuff.
Your info on the headcam gear is useful. If you want to share higher quality video than youtube, there is always www.vimeo.com. They have a nice system for supporting sharing of high quality video...much nicer than that grainly youtube stuff.
author=PetefromBoston link=topic=8735.msg35176#msg35176 date=1200052858]I would say all of the above, plus trusting your "gut" feelings, having the training, and taking your brain w...
Thanks guys for the info - I'm just trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible.
When making a decision, what would you say you put the most faith in - digging a pit, knowing the weather info, visual cues, aspect, or something else?
Pete,
Glad you have been taking in the discusion and absorbing all you can. However, if I were you I would enrole in a 3-day level one avalanche course as soon as possible. Personally I think it takes much to long to learn and "get" all that is needed to know to venture out in the backcountry by reading or skiing with friends. I am sure all of us would love to discuss or read everything that is needed to know to stay safe out in the backcountry, but there is just to mu...
Glad you have been taking in the discusion and absorbing all you can. However, if I were you I would enrole in a 3-day level one avalanche course as soon as possible. Personally I think it takes much to long to learn and "get" all that is needed to know to venture out in the backcountry by reading or skiing with friends. I am sure all of us would love to discuss or read everything that is needed to know to stay safe out in the backcountry, but there is just to mu...
Thanks guys for the info - I'm just trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible.
When making a decision, what would you say you put the most faith in - digging a pit, knowing the weather info, visual cues, aspect, or something else?
When making a decision, what would you say you put the most faith in - digging a pit, knowing the weather info, visual cues, aspect, or something else?
MY two cents on the slope that slid marked by the red X. I believe that slope was not only cross loaded but also top loaded.possibly both at the same time. Hence double loaded. This slope sitting on the north of Edith Saddle(my name) is affected by prevailing localized winds backing and veering. Directly above it is a small cliff band and some trees both capable of the Kerplop trigger. Kudos to those who brought out the fact that east winds bearing on this shoulder makes its west side and pan po...
Reminds me of Moonlight skiing here in the Colorado Passes - "giggling like a schoolgirl" fun that good should be illegal.
There are photos under last month's Random Tracks thread "Slides at Paradise"
author=vogtski link=topic=8735.msg35110#msg35110 date=1199923486]
The Dec 18 fatality was in the shaded gully 1/3 mile left in the larger view...
I'm still not clear on where the slide occurred. Could someone mark it on one of the above photos.
Thanks, Russ
Lisa,
I am from Utah and would love to check out some stuff closer to Seattle.
I hear the snow can be quite Utah like up there sometimes.
I have been a total slacker about getting out into the backcounrty here and really need to get back in the grove.
If you have space sometime, I would love to join in sometime. I can always carpool others as well.
Thanks,
Bryan Curtis
I am from Utah and would love to check out some stuff closer to Seattle.
I hear the snow can be quite Utah like up there sometimes.
I have been a total slacker about getting out into the backcounrty here and really need to get back in the grove.
If you have space sometime, I would love to join in sometime. I can always carpool others as well.
Thanks,
Bryan Curtis
Lowell,
Thanks for you explaination and additional info about the 1977 avalanche where the winds loaded the west slopes. Noting the direction of the prevailing winds is important but winds can change and come from many different directions on a big mountian like Rainier.
Cheers!
Thanks for you explaination and additional info about the 1977 avalanche where the winds loaded the west slopes. Noting the direction of the prevailing winds is important but winds can change and come from many different directions on a big mountian like Rainier.
Cheers!
author=PetefromBoston link=topic=8735.msg35137#msg35137 date=1199975829">
cross-loaded? east through north aspects?
Anyone mind breaking it down for a BC learner (less than newbie)? Why would the pink areas be more dangerous than the non-pink areas?
It seems like anything not on a ridgeline is sketchy.
The photo was taken looking almost directly north. As you scan the pink areas from left to right, you're lo...
Pete,
The pink areas are not meant to represent the only hazardous areas. As I wrote they are some - not all - avy hazard areas in the photo.
Cross loading is correct, which most likely built up a slab on any lee slope from northeast through southeast.
The pink areas are not meant to represent the only hazardous areas. As I wrote they are some - not all - avy hazard areas in the photo.
Cross loading is correct, which most likely built up a slab on any lee slope from northeast through southeast.
author=bc_skier link=topic=8735.msg35132#msg35132 date=1199945094]
Thanks for all the comments. Here is another photo marking some of the areas - but not all - that could have slid had a skier or snowshoer ventured out there at the time.
cross-loaded? east through north aspects?
Anyone mind breaking it down for a BC learner (less than newbie)? Why would the pink areas be more dangerous than the non-pink areas?
It...
:) George and I saw you on Sunday. We were the guys that asked about your snow pit. Wow the skiing was awesome, after doing some runs on the back side of East Peak we were amazed. I called our first run "Silent Splendor" With all the deep power it took some work to get back up! On this day the powder woody was definitely satisfied.
Thanks for the input. It looks like that was a good area for the conditions Saturday. But where else to go around the Hood?
I got a deal for you guys, I'll break trail AND let you have first tracks if you show me some new areas. Desperate, maybe, but I'm powerless over this fluffy white powder...
I got a deal for you guys, I'll break trail AND let you have first tracks if you show me some new areas. Desperate, maybe, but I'm powerless over this fluffy white powder...
author=bc_skier link=topic=8735.msg35132#msg35132 date=1199945094]
Here is another photo marking some of the areas - but not all - that could have slid had a skier or snowshoer ventured out there at the time.
Yeah, absolutely. In fact I would just shade all the slopes in Edith Creek basin pink. In the earlier thread in which we talked about the Edith Creek basin fatality, I suggested staying out of there entirely when avalanche conditio...
Thanks for all the comments. Here is another photo marking some of the areas - but not all - that could have slid had a skier or snowshoer ventured out there at the time.
author=vogtski link=topic=8735.msg35110#msg35110 date=1199923486]
the Pan Pt 'winter route' and commonly used SW face route are just above the AV...
Doesn't the "winter route" ascend the minor crest (studded with small trees) that the slide in the picture starts from? I've always assumed that's what the term "winter route" refers to, but I wasn't certain. I remember Ray Smutek describing...
Looked like a tasty day Tony. Great video.
author=Jeff Huber link=topic=8740.msg35113#msg35113 date=1199926134]
What the hell are you talking about Aaron? Everyone knows whenever there is fresh powder there are no reasonable slopes to ski at Bennett Pass or in that area or basically anywhere in the Mt Hood backcountry. Best to go to the resorts ;)
(I'm kidding)
How would you know...you skipped out on us this weekend.
Oh, and yes, the quality is much better than the youtubed version...
Yeah, funny accent for a guy from the northwest part of lower Michigan (the pinky nail of the mitten).
I was PMed about what camera I was using. My response is below:
The camera I have is an Aiptek DV recorder. It has an "Audio/Video In" Jack for anything from a DVD player to a helmet camera. I looked around on the web and the "suggested" helmet cam for use with the Aiptek is made by www.sportzshot.com. It is kind of a strange setup. Surezshot sell...
I was PMed about what camera I was using. My response is below:
The camera I have is an Aiptek DV recorder. It has an "Audio/Video In" Jack for anything from a DVD player to a helmet camera. I looked around on the web and the "suggested" helmet cam for use with the Aiptek is made by www.sportzshot.com. It is kind of a strange setup. Surezshot sell...
As of Jan 1:
CURRENT CLIMATE PER CENT LAST THRU 2007 THRU 2007
DEPTH AVERAGE OF NORMAL YEAR MAX/YEAR MIN/YEAR
MT BAKER 112 88 127 130 190/1949 1/1928
PARADISE 117 91 129&...
CURRENT CLIMATE PER CENT LAST THRU 2007 THRU 2007
DEPTH AVERAGE OF NORMAL YEAR MAX/YEAR MIN/YEAR
MT BAKER 112 88 127 130 190/1949 1/1928
PARADISE 117 91 129&...
How much snow has paradise gotten this season compared to Baker? Last year southern peaks like adams had poor seasons, much more so than further north. This year that doesn't appear to be the case. Any numbers out there?
author=OldHouseMan link=topic=8740.msg35070#msg35070 date=1199838696]
I wouldn't say a slide couldn't happen in the clear cuts at Bennet Pass but myself and my skiing buddies usually consider the clear cuts to be reasonably safe low angle skiing when the avy danger elsewhere is up.
What the hell are you talking about Aaron? Everyone knows whenever there is fresh powder there are no reasonable slopes to ski at Bennett Pass or...
Here's another vote for the wind theory...large cornices often form on the east side of those trees as well...the Pan Pt 'winter route' and commonly used SW face route are just above the AV...
The Dec 18 fatality was in the shaded gully 1/3 mile left in the larger view...think I'll stay off east through north aspects until we after we have another slice of Pineapple...
Paradise has been getting a foot per day for days...even strong trail-breakers should...
The Dec 18 fatality was in the shaded gully 1/3 mile left in the larger view...think I'll stay off east through north aspects until we after we have another slice of Pineapple...
Paradise has been getting a foot per day for days...even strong trail-breakers should...
I'm curious ... the main slope/route leading up to Pan Point is more or less just "above" (from photo's perspective) the slide area, correct? (Looker's left of the tree patch?) And so the top of Pan Point would be just beyond the upper-right corner of photo?
I've only been to Pan Point about ten times in my life, so am not totally familiar with the terrain there.
I've only been to Pan Point about ten times in my life, so am not totally familiar with the terrain there.
Extra snow accumulation in that area due to the trees on the windward side slowing the velocity of blowing snow and allowing it to accumulate there. None of the other potential avy slopes in the photo have as many small trees that close to the slope.