TR Replies
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.
Reminds me of the plane that went down in the 70s above Yosemite. Guess there was less valuable cargo aboard this one...hhmmmm?
With more time you can ski down the backside (West) for a huge run, starting just north of the summit. You can also ski down the gully to the north of the winter ascent route, with a traverse skiers right to get back to the approach.
Nice, it's a quick shot, but a fun one. BTW you can ski down from summit skiers right of trail up, and then traverse left to get back to trail when the trees begin in earnest. And there is decent tree skiing skiers left of the trail at that point, and you end up on the road approaching the upper TH. There are ways through the 'clear cut' at that point which gets you closer to the lower TH, but coverage was spotty and wasn't so fun when I did it a year ago.
I am sur...
I am sur...
Can you also stick skins on fish-scaled bases if things become steeper?
Yeah, it definitely forced me to stick to an "old man" style up track. I've been leaning towards lower angle tracks recently based on reading Martin Volken and Kyle Miller. Not having waterlogged skins to drag up hill, scrape the water out of, and wax with glop stopper... Priceless.
Apologies for out of order response:
Nice job! Super fun! This is a wonderfully entertaining and very informative trip report. Those of us penned up at work while the Grand Prix WA Pass start flag dropped are very grateful. And for all the 5 AM skin starts of my life, I cherish the yawn full pot of coffee I'll get there when I get there starts so much that I fear we may be twin sons of different mothers. A friend of mine in Winthrop was filling me in on ho...
Nice job! Super fun! This is a wonderfully entertaining and very informative trip report. Those of us penned up at work while the Grand Prix WA Pass start flag dropped are very grateful. And for all the 5 AM skin starts of my life, I cherish the yawn full pot of coffee I'll get there when I get there starts so much that I fear we may be twin sons of different mothers. A friend of mine in Winthrop was filling me in on ho...
I have quite a ski hoarding habit and have been fish scale curious for quite a while; the idea of textured bases as an alternative on spring/summer mush tours to soaked skins (no dis of my frog skin friends intended) is very intriguing. Thanks for the input!
I'm a fish scale evangelist. I have a pair of Voile Chargers with the fish scales. I really like them, especially for low-angle deproaches. You can double pole or skate mild downhills that would not be worth deskining for. There is something liberating about starting a decent without having to mess with gear or take your skis off: just switch the bindings to downhill mode and take off.
I have a new to me pair of voile ultravector bcs and I'm still trying to get used to ascending moderate slopes without skins. Maybe I'll give Muir a shot!
author=mikerolfs link=topic=40675.msg161595#msg161595 date=1526271869]
Holy smokes! Did you meet the pilot? Crazy!
The pilot is still unnamed, possibly until the NTSB releases a report. I was learning to fly out of Sequim last summer, and remember this plane ("... Quebec Quebec") on the radio. The plane belongs to a local flight school, which is not the greatest PR.
That's really cool, thanks for posting.
Sorry the image upload isn't working for you. It is frustratingly difficult to keep using this old software. I hear there is an update in the works (?). Secret is to resize and make sure they aren't too large (in Kb).
Sorry the image upload isn't working for you. It is frustratingly difficult to keep using this old software. I hear there is an update in the works (?). Secret is to resize and make sure they aren't too large (in Kb).
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!
Hahaha, thanks! And yes, I think some re-gluing is definitely in order!
This is the time of year when I use my ski crampons. I began using my crampons when I start talking to myself as I approached a steep area. I have a pair of crampons that attach to my ski base. A few friends used to explain to me that it slows me down when they are attached. My only answer is “I am in my 70's and speed is not in my climbing vocabularyâ€.  ;)
That Wilson avalanche was not fun to trigger, however.
Route info: Above the Finger, cross a workable snow bridge and make your way onto the middle of the Nisqually glacier, follow that to the top. I agree, skiing down at 10:30 would have probably been optimal.
Route info: Above the Finger, cross a workable snow bridge and make your way onto the middle of the Nisqually glacier, follow that to the top. I agree, skiing down at 10:30 would have probably been optimal.
I have used a pair of Voile Vector BC (fish scale) for years. It is funny that you learn to skin at the right angle for your style and you are not breathing heavily and have to stop more often. I'm in my 70's so I usually set a track with an “old person†style. You could watch a backcountry guide with his/her style to get all the clients to the destination at the same time. ;)
Whoa! Don't see that every day.
Only time I have had trouble with my speed turns is when the pins or receivers on my boots aren't cleared of snow/ice or I don't pull the lever all the way up into locking position. Usually if there is going to be a problem it is obvious because it is more difficult to move the levers to lock position.
Only time I have had trouble with my speed turns is when the pins or receivers on my boots aren't cleared of snow/ice or I don't pull the lever all the way up into locking position. Usually if there is going to be a problem it is obvious because it is more difficult to move the levers to lock position.
That's one lucky pilot! S/he needs to take a lesson from this guy: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/the-wild-survival-story-about-air-force-pilot-who-got-his-plane-stuck-atop-mount-rainier-in-stunt/
couldn't help but google search for more info:
https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/federal-officials-investigating-klahhane-ridge-aircraft-crash/
https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/federal-officials-investigating-klahhane-ridge-aircraft-crash/
We were wondering what was going on over there!
That second photo tells a story with your skin drooped away from the ski. Nice work. Sounds like you worked hard for many an hour! 6.8 miles is a pretty steep entry fee!
Holy smokes! Did you meet the pilot? Crazy!
I'll double down on what Patrick. The Euros take their mountain events seriously. The PDG celebrates their spectacular mountains, culture, history, and enthusiasm with pomp and circumstance. So grateful I could be a part of this year's event.
Great write up Patrick!! Thanks for posting.
Yes there is an over 60 division. Those Euros are crazy fast too!
Great write up Patrick!! Thanks for posting.
Yes there is an over 60 division. Those Euros are crazy fast too!
Your milking the mission mike! I love it!!
Reminds me of my mudding days. Put`er in low range before u need too... rather than after. Usually saves u a few hours of digging ;-)
Reminds me of my mudding days. Put`er in low range before u need too... rather than after. Usually saves u a few hours of digging ;-)
Late April of 2017 I skied the Haute Route. Your pictures show an amazing amount of snow in places that last year were dry. Is there a division for over 60 year olds?
In the spring of 1984 a friend and I tried to do this trip, but experienced the worst TG snow ever. We could ski for about 4 hours, from 4am to 8am. Otherwise, the 8 foot snow pack would collapse through the 1 foot of firm snow, leaving us wallowing over our heads in sugar. It was like getting trapped in quicksand. After three days of that, we gave up. But what a gorgeous place to ski.
Amazing work, but I'm not surprised about this coming from Seth. You guys did it proud.
Lowell, as I'm sure you know, there have been plenty of people tramping around that neck of the woods in the winter time. I was lucky enough to know some of the guys that worked in the Azurite mine, and they had great stories to tell of the guys that use to ski in with the mail, sometimes over Azurite pass....... that would be a scary path! I wish I could rember how fast they would get from the mine to Lost River, but it was fast. Fancies Luffkin had a trapping cabin somewhere near where th...
Mike is being way to kind telling the crampon story, the part of the story he left out, was me, spending the previous fifteen minutes telling a tragic story of a couple of people ignoring lots of obvious clues, that lead to their demise. Followed by me stating inphatically that I would not be that person! Clearly my belly button window was fogged up.......I'll redouble my attention not miss obvious clues or ignore my stay safe rules.
Lots of fun. Thanks for the read. It's funny how that internal voice works. I listen to it...I listened and bailed on an objective due to weird snow last weekend after 2 am start, 4 hours hiking (two more out) and 4.5 miles in (9 total)...but totally happy with that decision! I listen attentively when total ruin is a possible outcome!