TR Replies
Anyone know if the slot still goes? I know the crooked choke is done.. waterfall.
If I'm not mistaken you need the federal pass (I.e. NW forest pass or America The Beautiful Pass) rather than the state pass (Discover) for that lot...
Souring experience indeed!
Those van trump snow fields look gooood early season too. I think early in the year, that seems to make more sense.
Those van trump snow fields look gooood early season too. I think early in the year, that seems to make more sense.
author=Robie link=topic=40684.msg161697#msg161697 date=1526655999]
All the old Nordic Jedi masters set low angle tracks...
Thanks Robie, but Canadian mountain guides are the champion tracksetters in my experience, with their consistent gradients and terrain milking for minimal kick turns. Â One of them told me Chic Scott, author of the wonderful ski books, failed the CDN guide exam because his skin tracks were too steep.
author=Robie link=topic=40684.msg161697#msg161697 date=1526655999]
All the old Nordic Jedi masters set low angle tracks.Some used Fishscales and others just waxed for grip. Gary Vogt , Neil Johnson ,And James Hammaker know the tricks. Wax is trickier but there are cold dry days when just Blue 40 extra will work just fine for road approaches.
Currently I have in my working fleet A pair of Madshus Annums (Karhu Guides ) mounted with Dynafits and skin...
So fun seeing the progression. Nothing like home but 'tis time to venture little farther!
thanks for the report! new colorado transplant from the PNW and I was just contemplating riding that line next week.
author=Kyle Miller link=topic=40684.msg161696#msg161696 date=1526637475]
I can't stress the value of low angle skin tracks enough. I haven't used heel risers for a decade :)
Dammit, Kyle! Reading your trip reports has ruined 99% of skin tracks for me! 😜 Also, happy birthday!
Love this. I need to start planning!
All the old Nordic Jedi masters set low angle tracks.Some used Fishscales and others just waxed for grip. Gary Vogt , Neil Johnson ,And James Hammaker know the tricks. Wax is trickier but there are cold dry days when just Blue 40 extra will work just fine for road approaches.
Currently I have in my working fleet A pair of Madshus Annums (Karhu Guides ) mounted with Dynafits and skins cut to fit. A real fun light rig and might be the skis I 'll ski off into the sunset on.
Currently I have in my working fleet A pair of Madshus Annums (Karhu Guides ) mounted with Dynafits and skins cut to fit. A real fun light rig and might be the skis I 'll ski off into the sunset on.
I can't stress the value of low angle skin tracks enough. I haven't used heel risers for a decade :)
It is extremely frustrating that the FS won't open the gate @ Heather Meadows until they don't have to step on a single patch of snow to service the outhouse @ the TH. It's not like the end of the road used to be a ski area or anything ::)
Glad to hear the snowpack's holding despite this month's (record?) heat. Pilchuck was my first true backcountry experience a little over 8 years ago, a year that was below average but still offered skiable snow at all pass l...
Glad to hear the snowpack's holding despite this month's (record?) heat. Pilchuck was my first true backcountry experience a little over 8 years ago, a year that was below average but still offered skiable snow at all pass l...
author=jtack link=topic=40695.msg161689#msg161689 date=1526587559]
What a awesome trip! I have done some of the parts, it sure is inspiring terrain. All I could think of when I read, you saw a good weather window, was, when was that? All I could remembered was hot mush! Seems like that was what you were served up! Some pretty harrowing travel, glad you made it more or less intact. Thanks for the great TR and pictures, makes me feel lazy!
Thanks for the report. The dam at 8 mile lake is being watched by state Dam Safety and there is talk of possible dam failure. I'm surprised the USFS is allowing vehicles up the road. Was the parking lot at 8 mile closed?
author=RossB link=topic=40684.msg161643#msg161643 date=1526484065]
I don't know if you have ever gone downhill in ski mode, but if it isn't too steep, you might try it. Go up something gradual, then down a little bit, then up again, making big turns with the board (when you encounter the steep stuff). Obviously a split board while split doesn't offer much in terms of control (probably less than cross country skis) but it might be worth checking...
What a awesome trip! I have done some of the parts, it sure is inspiring terrain. All I could think of when I read, you saw a good weather window, was, when was that? All I could remembered was hot mush! Seems like that was what you were served up! Some pretty harrowing travel, glad you made it more or less intact. Thanks for the great TR and pictures, makes me feel lazy!
Okay, here are a few too many more photos with a bit of narrative. Again, I have to say how much I appreciate Jason Schilling joining me on this one. If you've ever climbed or skied with him, you KNOW you want him with you for these types of adventures.
Camp One high above Boulder Basin on the East Side of Clark. We had about a 1,800' climb and boot up to the entrance notch of the upper Clark Glacier from this camp. Boulder Pass is seen on right side of photo.
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Camp One high above Boulder Basin on the East Side of Clark. We had about a 1,800' climb and boot up to the entrance notch of the upper Clark Glacier from this camp. Boulder Pass is seen on right side of photo.
author=kamtron link=topic=40682.msg161648#msg161648 date=1526488646]
Yeah nice to see you up there Josiah. Scott, your photo doesn't work for me.
I was leading our group down the Wilson, the first of the groups down for the day. I guess it was around 1:30 pm? I stopped at the last roll and saw 2 people on the skintrack below, but they were off to the side. The snow was clearly saturated, maybe 6" ski pen, so I made a turn, could tell the s...
Hit up Alpy for a Nash lap this morning - skinning at 5:30. Cloudy weather helped with no solid refreeze overnight, so snow was soft enough to be enjoyable when we skied down at 7.
We were able to piece together the last ribbon of snow over Rollen (with minor shenanigans) without taking off skis, but were probably the last of the year. Even managed to get to work (almost) on time!
We were able to piece together the last ribbon of snow over Rollen (with minor shenanigans) without taking off skis, but were probably the last of the year. Even managed to get to work (almost) on time!
Mission Ridge is your backyard. Going up to Mission is going home. What could be better?
What a blast. Inspirational to get 27 days. I find I go back to my favorite local hill over and over, it's not that rad but even when there is only a 100 yard ski, just being there makes me feel good. Mission must be near and dear to your heart.
I think my favorite pic is the skinning up grass...dedication - a long way from white it appears!
I think my favorite pic is the skinning up grass...dedication - a long way from white it appears!
Yep my bad. Got all turned around in my memory. Those cliffs look gnarly. Glad no one got hurt! Heckuva trip you two
That is a great picture of the two of you but unfortunately the canine, four footed, smiling fellow outshines the both of you. Just kidding but I think pictures of dogs smashing down through the pow with their huge smiles are inspiring. It is amazing to watch a dog in the snow. They love it as much or even more than their two footed masters. Great photos. Any more of your dog pal would be welcome.
author=ryanl link=topic=40695.msg161667#msg161667 date=1526517955]
It sounds like Jason slid near where Jason Hummel slid back in June of ‘08. Hummel got washed over those cliffs on the SE side and came to a stop on that bench about 800 ft below the summit. One of the scariest things I ever witnessed. http://www.cascadecrusades.org/SkiMountaineering/fortress/fortressSEface2008/seface2008.htm
If I'm reading Jason Hummel'...
Thanks! I'm old and slow. Jason led the way! Couldn't have done this tour without him.
For clarification, here's a photo of the SE Face we skied. You can see where Jason came to a stop, which is where he was finally able to snag his ski. Big cliffs below. We made a long traverse skier's left to the safer slopes.
For clarification, here's a photo of the SE Face we skied. You can see where Jason came to a stop, which is where he was finally able to snag his ski. Big cliffs below. We made a long traverse skier's left to the safer slopes.
Wow John - Awesome. Nice one.
Happy 50th!
Happy 50th!
DAMN! More photos please!
Awesome John, congrats on making 50! Quite the accomplishment given your.......proclivities.
It sounds like Jason slid near where Jason Hummel slid back in June of ‘08. Hummel got washed over those cliffs on the SE side and came to a stop on that bench about 800 ft below the summit. One of the scariest things I ever witnessed. http://www.cascadecrusades.org/SkiMountaineering/fortress/fortressSEface2008/seface2008.htm
It sounds like Jason slid near where Jason Hummel slid back in June of ‘08. Hummel got washed over those cliffs on the SE side and came to a stop on that bench about 800 ft below the summit. One of the scariest things I ever witnessed. http://www.cascadecrusades.org/SkiMountaineering/fortress/fortressSEface2008/seface2008.htm
Fantastic...what a great accomplishment..looking forward to more photos..what an epic!!!!
author=jwplotz link=topic=40695.msg161650#msg161650 date=1526489276]
Safe in the flats, we sit in the shade of a pine and reflect on a lot of things and laugh hysterically at the dumbest things that come to our minds. It's the sort of irrational and hysterical laugh that only the extremely lucky can understand.
Cool.
author=heretic link=topic=40691.msg161657#msg161657 date=1526498080]
Did you happen to notice whether Alpental is still enforcing the restriction on uphill travel within the resort boundary?
Restrictions are no longer in place! http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=40672.0
Did you happen to notice whether Alpental is still enforcing the restriction on uphill travel within the resort boundary?
Thanks - figured there must be some better ways down. A full day to ski the backside and maybe explore Mt. Washington seems like it would be great.
I tucked into it Monday morning but we were late (both for that hot day and likely for the season).
Gib was spitting more frequently than desired (fortunately not Airstreams or fridges but plenty of fruit varieties) and it was already 11am so the spitting was certain to get more volatile. We skied in from skier's left mid ledges for some initially smooth turns before crossing the slide path for a fantastic pitch skier's right. As Kam mentioned above, a large chunk of the up...
Gib was spitting more frequently than desired (fortunately not Airstreams or fridges but plenty of fruit varieties) and it was already 11am so the spitting was certain to get more volatile. We skied in from skier's left mid ledges for some initially smooth turns before crossing the slide path for a fantastic pitch skier's right. As Kam mentioned above, a large chunk of the up...
Mr. Schilling will have a nice GPS (Backcountry Pro) tracking overlay that will outline our route nicely. I'll get that posted as soon as it's done.
Plus many more photos...
Plus many more photos...
author=kamtron link=topic=40682.msg161648#msg161648 date=1526488646]
This experience, as well as the unpleasant approach skinning up the Wilson gully next to those lower Nisqually serac-fall zones, makes the Comet falls/Van Trump route sound a lot nicer in the future.
My perspective in general for all the routes on that side... + camping at Wapowerty Cleaver is infinitely more pleasurable than Muir, IMO.
Yeah nice to see you up there Josiah. Scott, your photo doesn't work for me.
I was leading our group down the Wilson, the first of the groups down for the day. I guess it was around 1:30 pm? I stopped at the last roll and saw 2 people on the skintrack below, but they were off to the side. The snow was clearly saturated, maybe 6" ski pen, so I made a turn, could tell the snow was moving, and ski cut right towards a flatter section. Well, the snow really picked up a lot of mom...
I was leading our group down the Wilson, the first of the groups down for the day. I guess it was around 1:30 pm? I stopped at the last roll and saw 2 people on the skintrack below, but they were off to the side. The snow was clearly saturated, maybe 6" ski pen, so I made a turn, could tell the snow was moving, and ski cut right towards a flatter section. Well, the snow really picked up a lot of mom...
A big chunk came down and gouged a wide track through the middle of the chute some time on Saturday. I think it's done for the season.
author=Josiahbru link=topic=40682.msg161613#msg161613 date=1526330184">
Neat video! We were up there at the same time as you. Here's a link to all my unsorted photos, you guys are in a few of them!
Thanks Josiah, Great Shots and thanks for taking over the step making.
That last roll on the lower Nisqually before the glacier flattens out and you ascend back up ot Paradise was running pretty good late in the day with loose wet.
I had the same experience in 2009 - could have just tagged this photo from Sunday and it looked the same.
https://photos.google.com/u/1/album/AF1QipNIn09V9Am6g-RUI6d3AwIJlUDF5xXWOKoULLjI/photo/AF1QipO8a34Nj7bqn16NjFYujPx2qjr_lhQCrAWSCLgw
I had the same experience in 2009 - could have just tagged this photo from Sunday and it looked the same.
https://photos.google.com/u/1/album/AF1QipNIn09V9Am6g-RUI6d3AwIJlUDF5xXWOKoULLjI/photo/AF1QipO8a34Nj7bqn16NjFYujPx2qjr_lhQCrAWSCLgw
Yeah, I'm a huge fan of fish scales. They are especially good in rolling terrain with skis, as the transition is much easier. The Paradise area has lots of great terrain that are especially good for that. I don't know if you have ever gone downhill in ski mode, but if it isn't too steep, you might try it. Go up something gradual, then down a little bit, then up again, followed by making big turns with the board (when you encounter the steep stuff). Obviously a split board while sp...
You two sure get after it! Thanks for sharing. What a trip!
x2... Kam, got a story to tell?
Looks exciting... thanks for sharing. Need some consolidation!
author=ps44 link=topic=40684.msg161630#msg161630 date=1526418011]
Can you also stick skins on fish-scaled bases if things become steeper?
Yes, skins work great on fish scales and are necessary for efficiently climbing steep pitches.