TR Replies
great pics, and turns!
that area looks familiar, is that the saddle (first/last pics) between north and south diamond peaks on cameron pass?
thanks
that area looks familiar, is that the saddle (first/last pics) between north and south diamond peaks on cameron pass?
thanks
While dodging dogs and postholes at Hyak, Brenda says "I'll bet Ron and them are tearing it up at Paradise". I never thought they'd have opened the gate so early. Never know if you don't go.
Robie, the snow up at the Pass really dried out overnight. Much better than what we had on Sat.
Robie, the snow up at the Pass really dried out overnight. Much better than what we had on Sat.
Thanks for the kind words, Robie and Chris.
Sometimes I forget what a large part friends play in this bc skiing game.
It's not just about the skiing, is it.
It's looking like we'll have lots of options this next weekend, eh?
C'mon snow, keep it comin'!!
Sometimes I forget what a large part friends play in this bc skiing game.
It's not just about the skiing, is it.
It's looking like we'll have lots of options this next weekend, eh?
C'mon snow, keep it comin'!!
ron-
thanks for the great post, you have given me inspiration to ski Paradise soon! I miss it up there already.
No offense taken regarding the avy declaration. I am so new to the bc that I am overly cautious, and do not have much knowledge to rely on... yet. I do wish I had gone now, oh well, more pow for you guys! I hadn't heard back about a possible ride with you all and didn't want to impose with you all. Sorry about waiting for me, hope you did not really wait too...
thanks for the great post, you have given me inspiration to ski Paradise soon! I miss it up there already.
No offense taken regarding the avy declaration. I am so new to the bc that I am overly cautious, and do not have much knowledge to rely on... yet. I do wish I had gone now, oh well, more pow for you guys! I hadn't heard back about a possible ride with you all and didn't want to impose with you all. Sorry about waiting for me, hope you did not really wait too...
Way to pull one off Ron and a damn good post. but that's normal for you.
When all is taken into account there is a lot of work going on to get some recreationalists up that mountain. Snoqualomie and Stevens are kept open because of all the bucks on big rigs rolling through with pigflesh trading places with salmon and oysters. What or rather who is really going up to Paradise ? One last word about the park employees, sometimes it appears
thier job is easy but like ferry work...
When all is taken into account there is a lot of work going on to get some recreationalists up that mountain. Snoqualomie and Stevens are kept open because of all the bucks on big rigs rolling through with pigflesh trading places with salmon and oysters. What or rather who is really going up to Paradise ? One last word about the park employees, sometimes it appears
thier job is easy but like ferry work...
Nice man! I too am very optimistic that this will prove to be a great season in the PNW! Did you tour towards Catherine at all? Thanks for the tr.
There were a few people skiing the back bowl off Mazama, we stayed on the 25 deg. slope running down the middle. There was about a foot of light snow on a crust. Either side seemed wind effected and much deeper. I climbed a little ways up the high point just south of the drop in point to check out the gully that runs east from just north of the summit. Put one ski in and gave it a stomp, got a very loud whump. That was enough for me, back to the low angle stuff.&nb...
The snow on the slope we skied was so great we thought we had died and gone to Utah powder heaven! ;D. We actually had this little slice of heaven all to ourselves, when we had finally decided to move along to Narada Falls, was when three others showed up, but there was still some fun untracked left. What a great day to be on the mountain :D.
So was this up by Hoodoo? Nice man; thanks for sharing...
We waited for you 'til 8:15 Chris.
Turned out we had room for 3-4 more skiers in 4wd rigs as Bonnie took hers up to spot at Narada.
Not to target you, Chris, but you mentioned a couple of subjects I've been meaning to comment on lately...
Re: Avy danger, to paraphrase some pretty cool and bright guys that I know: "Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition zone between dangers e...
Turned out we had room for 3-4 more skiers in 4wd rigs as Bonnie took hers up to spot at Narada.
Not to target you, Chris, but you mentioned a couple of subjects I've been meaning to comment on lately...
Re: Avy danger, to paraphrase some pretty cool and bright guys that I know: "Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition zone between dangers e...
Looks like you all had your way with the slopes! I was thinking avy danger was going to be through the roof and that the road would not even open at a reasonable time, I guessed wrong. The woman enjoyed the extra day at home with me though I spent most of my sunday wishing I was skiing powder with all of you :)
Hope to get it with you all soon!
Chris
Hope to get it with you all soon!
Chris
Saw a pretty good size slough on the steeper slope between Bundy's and the River.
Didn't get a look at either of the other two spots mentioned.
Nonetheless, with last week's snow and what has fallen so far this week plus what's forecast for the rest of the week, I'd bet you'll have pretty good coverage 'bout anywhere up there.
Let us know what you find, Scotty.
Didn't get a look at either of the other two spots mentioned.
Nonetheless, with last week's snow and what has fallen so far this week plus what's forecast for the rest of the week, I'd bet you'll have pretty good coverage 'bout anywhere up there.
Let us know what you find, Scotty.
Good job Ron and gang. I'm planning a trip there on Friday. How does Bundy's and Why Not look like in terms of coverage and have you had your way with Mazama bowl yet?
Awesome!!!!
That is my hometown. I have been skiing those ridges since I was a young lad.
That ridge, "Emma Ridge" can be great skiing at times for sure. The best time to get it is in the spring though. It is almost due south facing, so the crustiness you described is not surprising. That is some of the best corn in Utah though.
I have had some SICK days on the ridge in the winter though. That is one of the safest places to tour in the winter because they do...
That is my hometown. I have been skiing those ridges since I was a young lad.
That ridge, "Emma Ridge" can be great skiing at times for sure. The best time to get it is in the spring though. It is almost due south facing, so the crustiness you described is not surprising. That is some of the best corn in Utah though.
I have had some SICK days on the ridge in the winter though. That is one of the safest places to tour in the winter because they do...
A few of us were up there yesterday. A hasty pit on the N. face of the ridge showed similar features to those described in other posts. About 18-20" of low-med density snow on top of a few inches of very light snow/hoar frost and granular, all over the crust. Sheer tests had the top 8" easy sheer with very irregular sheer surface, moderate sheer at the crust, again with an irregular surface. However, isolated columns collasped without any added weight! Wit...
There actually MSR shoes with tails on. I love them because they have bales on them, making it easy to go straight up and less switch-backing.
rc - I checked and its a named peak. nice ski destination with quality runs, if a bit short. Just never knew its name
You the Man, Bandit. Well said; just didn't want to be the only one to say it.
Made another run up there to the Tatoosh today. Gate opened at 9am under high clouds, but very clear visi and didn't start snowing lightly until after 4pm. Talked to a friendly Ranger at the gate and when offered donuts and coffee to get it opened earlier, he mentioned that Scotch might do the trick. Hmmm, sounds like a potential crack in the rigid policy, but not su...
Made another run up there to the Tatoosh today. Gate opened at 9am under high clouds, but very clear visi and didn't start snowing lightly until after 4pm. Talked to a friendly Ranger at the gate and when offered donuts and coffee to get it opened earlier, he mentioned that Scotch might do the trick. Hmmm, sounds like a potential crack in the rigid policy, but not su...
Leel: We took the forest road that starts just behind the restroom/warming hut and parallels the highway SW for a bit, then headed off into the tree. Not sure where I did not have a compass on me. But it was more across the highway from Needle Peak (i.e south of Yak-Nak). Where did we go?
Matt C: I have not been to Manning yet.
Matt C: I have not been to Manning yet.
Thanks for the report. I was wondering how things were doing out that way. Any chance you've been out to the Manning Park area recently?
Ottomite? S of Zoa right or was it directly across the shed from Needle ie S of Yak-Nak?
Nice pictures given the amount of snow.
Nice pictures given the amount of snow.
superior didn't have enough snow high up, skied the two peaks before it probably be a while until its ready.
We were up there on the 16th, as high as the upper radio tower at 5k. A pit at the little clearcut by the upper tower - E facing, not terribly steep, still affected by trees beneath, was highlighted by easy shears of the upper 18-ish" at the _thick_ crust or just above it on a super thin icy layer (surface hoar?). Shears didn't seem to have much "pop" to them, but released easily. The snow above the crust was cohesive enough to support a shovel-length/blade width bit of...
I have to admit that I usually feel safer in trees as well.
However, I balance that with the fact that one of two avalanche releases I've been close to or a part of was in a heavily forested slope. Snowpit data derived from a pit dug on that aspect (in the trees) had confirmed the danger. We skied it anyway, and my buddy was carried 60 feet before it ran out. Had we been on a sustained slope or had he been caught in a terrain trap he could be dead. ...
However, I balance that with the fact that one of two avalanche releases I've been close to or a part of was in a heavily forested slope. Snowpit data derived from a pit dug on that aspect (in the trees) had confirmed the danger. We skied it anyway, and my buddy was carried 60 feet before it ran out. Had we been on a sustained slope or had he been caught in a terrain trap he could be dead. ...
I find safety in trees all the time.
and in some cases it doesn't minimize the danger it can increase it. trees can be an anti-anchor. they emit heat...not much, but sometimes enough to cause a temperature differential thus creating a release point. i'd say that usually this would only be the case with old growth, i.e. alpental.
author=savegondor link=topic=8500.msg34054#msg34054 date=1197786999]
contrary to popular belief, there is no safety in trees.
But if you read closely, I wrote "to minimize danger" not "to avoid it completely." Smaller faces, shorter aspects, less snow, more wind protection - all those things minimize danger. And the snow we observed while climbing was ready to go.
Beyond that, though, good po...
author=Double E link=topic=8425.msg33986#msg33986 date=1197666448]
As I always tell people who rant and bitch and whine about government employees being lazy, inefficient, apathetic, etc etc blah blah blah..... did it ever occur to you that they make a lot less money than a private sector employee with a similar skillset and job functions?
So until you, and the rest of the general public (and namely, the politicians we elect) become...
I also hiked Skyline Ridge and up towards Cowboy Mountain today. Dug pits on the south and north slopes. South facing had 4-6 inches of wind-packed pow on top, then a thin ice layer, then mildly-striated but mostly bonded sugar for about 8 inches until you got down to the hard base from the early December rain. North slope had 18+ inches of dry uniform wind-load powder, and by 4pm there was still no warming or heaviness at or above 5500 ft on the surface of the snow. Under the 18 inches of fluff...
contrary to popular belief, there is no safety in trees.
Did the clandestine area staff ask you to yield for control work or something similar? I am considering a similar plan for tomorrow.
Edit - I just saw the related post from Gib in Random Tracks. I've got the heads up.
Thx
Edit - I just saw the related post from Gib in Random Tracks. I've got the heads up.
Thx
author=filbo link=topic=8497.msg34031#msg34031 date=1197742407]
arrived day after the dump. hiked and skied across the hiway from alta. decent coverage but still early season, first day was excellent deep pow, the last two were a bit crusty on top but nothing like crust up here. still lots of protected stashes on the other side of the ridge once summited. all in all a satisfying trip for jonesing for early season pow. the resorts are still only partial...
It may have been an accidental fall: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/256/story/263938.html
The run skiiers left of the photo, and skiiers left of dolfay's, is called 'gunsight'. Which in my opinion can be either enjoyable after an 800 inch year, or suicide on a low snow year or early in the season, 98/99 it was a nice steep chute. Between Gunsight and Dolfays is pretty much all cliffs, and between chair 1 and Gunsight all cliffs for 100 yards or so, then there are some relatively melow entrances. All the lines in question could be sideslipped by most skiiers/boarders wi...
sorry to hear about the accident
"the 'run' the rescue was taking place on was 'harry scary.'"
Is that off the nose in the cliff that juts out just to skier's right of The Chute? Way out the nose, then a curling descent to skier's right? I've seen tracks there most times I've boarded at Baker. If everything goes right it looks vaguely doable, but the exposure is ugly.
edit: nope -- not it. See http://www.skin...
"the 'run' the rescue was taking place on was 'harry scary.'"
Is that off the nose in the cliff that juts out just to skier's right of The Chute? Way out the nose, then a curling descent to skier's right? I've seen tracks there most times I've boarded at Baker. If everything goes right it looks vaguely doable, but the exposure is ugly.
edit: nope -- not it. See http://www.skin...
Thanks. It is nice to catch those rare moments. But it was getting a little late: good for photos, but bad for getting out. Had to do a bit of navigation through dark foggy ridge back to the car. Good thing we stayed at the Mountaineers lodge Friday.
Howdy - I went up to Snoqualmie, on the lift side. You're right about the fog - and flat light. Couldn't see any uneveness in the terrain. Every runnel made me face plant. Oh well - It was a better workout and more fun than work.
Thanks Ron. Really nice to know that people enjoy the pics; I certainly enjoy those of others here too. I already sent Gator a "you if anybody in the Park would understand our frustration" note, but no response yet. I will for sure keep you posted if I get one. Oh and 'savegondor' we went in from Edith Basin into Paradise basin/glacier.
author=Zap link=topic=8492.msg34011#msg34011 date=1197693447]Someone attempted to descend the cliffs skiers right of The Chute. A major rescue operation was underway.
the "run" the rescue was taking place on was "harry scary". the person being rescued did not survive the fall. the injuries were from trauma (not avy related). condolences to the family and thanks to mt baker pro patrol who looked liked they were tryin...
Thanks for the update..
There are 2 kinds of skis.... new skis and skis.
There are 2 kinds of skis.... new skis and skis.
Well I for one regret bringing up work and politics on TAY in my earlier post. I will do pennance tomorrow by breaking trail somewhere, maybe snoq pass finally judging by the trip reports.
I still have some empathy for the park workers. Some of them are pretty good folks that work hard with less resources as time goes on. I know I am also guilty of being pleased with myself for getting through the gate before it was staffed and saving the fee money and then grumbling that there is no one th...
I still have some empathy for the park workers. Some of them are pretty good folks that work hard with less resources as time goes on. I know I am also guilty of being pleased with myself for getting through the gate before it was staffed and saving the fee money and then grumbling that there is no one th...