TR Replies
Sounds great; we have Feb. 1-3 booked. There's an established trail from the midway down to US 2, right? And have you skied the slopes S of the saddle below McCue Ridge? We did the upper part on corn, but friends have gone all the way to the creek bed.
If anyone has done any stability exploration of the East face of Kendall Peak/Ridge on the Gold Creek side I'd appreciate the beta. My guess is that it's a completely different story on that side.
Margie T., Bill S. and I made it up there later in the day, after making a run through the trees on the west side. We dug a pit to the crust, 6' or so. Just did a shovel isolation test, with very similar results. No matter how hard I pounded on the shovel, it wouldn't budge from the deep crust, but did when I pried it with the shovel. The whole column remained intact after release. A gloved finger penetrated about an inch max the whole length. Being reassured of stability, procee...
We were up in the area today. Still nice snow on the N slopes and from the stump down to the Kendall Basin even had some good powder in it.
Good times.
Good times.
Good "adventure". I was surprised to see Granite bare on the ridge last Friday. Maybe we'll get a clear spell next week and go after it.
We were up today 1-6-08 . Quite a few people up there. Thanks for the inspiration Pete! Still some fun skiing and beautiful weather. No wind on the summit and clear views. Thanks for the nice skin track! Getting skied out on the SW side.
Also toured around Mt. Catherine on Sat; after a few pits, we decided to stay off everything steep. Tap tests failed after 2-4 wrist taps, shear tests with easy force, and a RB failed at knee flex. All tests were at ~4300 ft, N facing slopes. A couple failed just under the fresh 4-6 inches, most gave a clean shear at a granular-graupel layer at ~ 16 inches.
Dug a pit just above Milwaukee Bowl at Hyak yesterday. About 3800 ft, facing East/South East in the trees.
320cm in depth. There is a rain crust at 120cm which is where our column failed during the shovel test at 15 taps. Snow above was softer, four fingers. The snow below the rain crust was denser, about two fingers. At the bottom of the pit, roughly 15cm there is another rain layer. Things are starting to settle down, however I believe that the rain crust at 120cm will come back to haunt...
320cm in depth. There is a rain crust at 120cm which is where our column failed during the shovel test at 15 taps. Snow above was softer, four fingers. The snow below the rain crust was denser, about two fingers. At the bottom of the pit, roughly 15cm there is another rain layer. Things are starting to settle down, however I believe that the rain crust at 120cm will come back to haunt...
Thanks for the report. Great info and video!
-M
-M
Nice pictures guys!! Happy new year!
Nice to see these heavily loaded trees!
Greetings from Switzerland ;-)
Nice to see these heavily loaded trees!
Greetings from Switzerland ;-)
Damn...Jen and I were at the pass staying with some friends in their motor home, we contemplated the Yodelin tour but skied the lifts instead ::) great photos, but I would expect no less.... catch you next time 8)
author=kam link=topic=8678.msg34889#msg34889 date=1199430350]
more photos for those interested
That olive oil trick made me want to regurgitate. At least he could mix it with balsamic and carry some romaine in his pack.
Jerm: nice bit of history about the place. thanks for pointing out the links.
Robie: we parked at the Stevens Pass employee's dormitory parking lot.
more photos for those interested ---> CLICK HERE <----
Robie: we parked at the Stevens Pass employee's dormitory parking lot.
more photos for those interested ---> CLICK HERE <----
There doesnt need to be signs you would be nuts to try to drive a wheeled vehicle to the trailhead.
I wouldn't throw down a Ulysses's either...thats what the big **s is for. But I'd go with C...that way I would have more time to spend with this lady. Lets just say she has some hidden secrets worth lapping 8)
author=Jerm link=topic=8678.msg34853#msg34853 date=1199343181]
Nice skiing with you guys. It sure is nice when somebody else breaks a trail for you!
Did a little digging .. It seems one of those old chairlifts became High Campbell at Crystal!
http://hyak.net/lost/20.html
http://www.yodelin.org/Yodelin.org/yodelinhistory.asp
not only high campbell at crystal but tye mill at stevens as well!
nice pics and good trip report! One question where did you all park ?
thanks
thanks
wow, sounds like it was a fun trip, with some slightly sketchy conditions! glad you didn't get eaten by any snow monsters out there...nice photos too! 8)
great photos, looks like an awesome day. cool to see those pics from yodelin back in the day too--thanks for posting those links, jerm. amazing to see that mt. with so few trees!
Nice Shot JD !!! Love the expression, was that the famous " front flip off of cave rock"?
Always a pleasure to view your photos ;)
Always a pleasure to view your photos ;)
I never liked the SAT's, but from what it's sounding like is if Catherine is a "floozy", buying a lift to get on her is:
A) like a light bulb is to a cartoon person
B) like cheating is to math class
C) like a caller is to a call girl
D) none of the above
nice pic buy the way. I'm think I'm being tempted to fall into this lustful attraction...
A) like a light bulb is to a cartoon person
B) like cheating is to math class
C) like a caller is to a call girl
D) none of the above
nice pic buy the way. I'm think I'm being tempted to fall into this lustful attraction...
That Jameson is a no good, powder hoar :)
Lee, looks like you guys are getting it done up there!
Lee, looks like you guys are getting it done up there!
We were on catherine as well...just a different aspect. Never saw a soul the whole day. We went in and out from the silver fir lifts though. The snow was good indeed. We found a tree bombed hell on radio mt earlier in the day and velvet love over on catherine. What a floozy she is.
Looks like a nice shot to print and post in that bathroom in the back of the Marmot store ;D.
I think sleds are great. I started years ago making one with PVC tubing and a kids pulk sort of thing but quickly found the side slipping and braking to be a problem. I ended up with a commerical one and love it, a skege for a emergency break, stiff poles and runners to help track. I find it hugely easier to haul gear and child up a hill, but going down still scares me and it usually is survival skiing to get down.
cw
cw
Telemarktips cover fodder, for sure.
Nice skiing with you guys. It sure is nice when somebody else breaks a trail for you!
Did a little digging .. It seems one of those old chairlifts became High Campbell at Crystal!
http://hyak.net/lost/20.html
http://www.yodelin.org/Yodelin.org/yodelinhistory.asp
Did a little digging .. It seems one of those old chairlifts became High Campbell at Crystal!
http://hyak.net/lost/20.html
http://www.yodelin.org/Yodelin.org/yodelinhistory.asp
I'm pretty sure (w/o checking against a map just now) that the approach via FR 9070 (which sounds like maybe how you traveled?) is a whole lot longer and flatter than going up the Hyak ski area (or the xc access trail I hear runs up that way - honestly the few times I've done Catherine I've bought a groomed trail pass and used that to ride the lift (and rode the lift a second time at the end of the day since you get two rides for a day pass) and then down briefly and then you'...
Just remember No means No, and if there's any doubt take a partner along... you should be ok ;-)
Nice, I am jonesin' to get on Catherine! (does that sound bad?)
A few notes about where one might start:
- No need for a snopark pass - the 'buttermilk' snowpark is actually up a different valley, not on the twisp road.
- The Twisp River road is plowed a few miles past canyon creek and obvious log road that ascends toward the ridge. There is a small pullout at the end of the plowed road. Although the slope is a little steeper and south facing here, the ridge can be gained directly without too much difficulty, intersecting with the l...
- No need for a snopark pass - the 'buttermilk' snowpark is actually up a different valley, not on the twisp road.
- The Twisp River road is plowed a few miles past canyon creek and obvious log road that ascends toward the ridge. There is a small pullout at the end of the plowed road. Although the slope is a little steeper and south facing here, the ridge can be gained directly without too much difficulty, intersecting with the l...
Lee, I'm sure glad you made it out of there without choking on all that powder. ;)
Awesome trip guys. Great pics, it reminds me why I don't carry a camera, as it would only pale in comparison to your art.
With Kelvin's pit findings and in light of the telemetry of this morning as well as reports from elsewhere, including skyline ridge, I think it might be worth noting that avalanche conditions appear to be extremely local, thereby making the NWAC bulletin more of a "guideline" than usual. I would think increased pit digging and conservative skiing (in...
With Kelvin's pit findings and in light of the telemetry of this morning as well as reports from elsewhere, including skyline ridge, I think it might be worth noting that avalanche conditions appear to be extremely local, thereby making the NWAC bulletin more of a "guideline" than usual. I would think increased pit digging and conservative skiing (in...
Here's a link to the video of the Rutschblock test....
http://irwin3637.blogspot.com/
http://irwin3637.blogspot.com/
Congrats on the first post of the year Silas. Great demo of tomorrow's tech in use today - iPhone used while stuck in traffic on the drive home!
Excellent way to start the new year - revisiting old haunts with new friends. Still some slide alder down low, which might have been the snow-snake that grabbed Eric's ski leading to this epic head freezing fall!
Excellent way to start the new year - revisiting old haunts with new friends. Still some slide alder down low, which might have been the snow-snake that grabbed Eric's ski leading to this epic head freezing fall!
The BC never seems to disappoint eh Eli3. Wish I was there. I had to settle for deep blower at Schweitzer and Lookout Pass. Amazing how people don't like trees. Once again good show.
Great to hook up with you, Kam!
More pictures here:
http://www.randosaigai.com/yodelin010108.html
More pictures here:
http://www.randosaigai.com/yodelin010108.html
Keiths is usually so busy. Can't believe there were so few people there. Nice shots
Thanks for the condolences Don. I'm gonna miss that camera too since I will only be able to take mental pictures for a while...
Good indeed...actually, rather amazing. I dig the pictures too. That was a great trip, I can't wait for the next opportunity to get back up there with you guys!
A few more:
A few more:
right on.
its nice when the skin track is broken by a splitter, and you dont have to "re-break" deep ski skin tracks. ;D
its nice when the skin track is broken by a splitter, and you dont have to "re-break" deep ski skin tracks. ;D
Nice bro. Yeah that day you lapped me at least 20 times...;)
Kyle and I rocked the Gun Barrel yesterday. Nothing but sweetness above the knees. White was crazy good too.
Nice pics too.
Kyle and I rocked the Gun Barrel yesterday. Nothing but sweetness above the knees. White was crazy good too.
Nice pics too.
author=skierguitarist link=topic=8648.msg34656#msg34656 date=1198975050]
You seem like an old hand when it comes to surviving elegantly in snow. Could you give a run-down on how you dig snow caves? I'm looking for a good way to do it and stay pretty dry at the same time. Also interested in the engineering of a good cave.
One way you can stay drier is to use a snow cave combined with a igloo style front wal...
Shoot, Dan, I loved that camera! Only cam I ever met that made it look like I could ski! ;D Yodelin is such a great place. Glad you found it.
Don
Don
You are the king of video. That looked fun! I've got a little skid loader, but I never, no never, not ever thought to take it skiing. My world has been turned upside down. Thanks, Gondor!
Sunday was a different story - no blue skies except for a fleeting moment that may have been a mass hallucination brought on by skin track oxygen debt. The quantity of snow coming down was beyond belief. All of your tracks were gone! ;D