TR Replies
From Muir to the bottom of Pan Point, that was the most turnable ride down the snowfield I've done yet...a great day..
author=Kenji link=topic=7024.msg28130#msg28130 date=1178508206]
Approaching Rock from the North won't be a day tour for a while, since Smith Brook is still blocked with snow at the highway.
A few pics below: ski shot over the North couloir and the hint of the West slope.
Hi Kenji,
I often wondered if the north side was still worth skiing by the time the Rainy Pass road opens. Sounds like from your post...
Hi JoeMack, I used TOPO to draw out a route and then used the "GPS route" feature to create waypoints. I picked a route that that favored areas more likely to hold snow. It more or less folowed the trail but with a couple of variations. I can send you the waypoints I used if you like.
Hi wolfs, I think you saw our tracks, we went to Hazard the same day, the Turtle was great! Same type of snow that you saw but very nice for what we usually see on the Turtle. Felt like corn all the way to Van Trump, then sticky.
author=Larry_R link=topic=7020.msg28305#msg28305 date=1178985058]
"May 6, 2007 W Esmeralda Pk 6765', Hawkins Mt 7160' "
John, I thought I should double check with you on the naming of peaks in the Esmeralda group - in case I still have it wrong! :)
Here's a map with the names as I've been using them. From the CAG, point 6477 is Esmeralda Peaks - West Peak, and the highest of the Esmeralda Peaks is the East...
author=Joedabaker link=topic=7020.msg28284#msg28284 date=1178920851]
In the 2nd picture is your return traverse in line with the persons body just below the steeper peak of Hawkins?
Thanks for sharing and keeping my dream alive.
Joe
Hi Joe,
Yes, directly left of my head, on the flat part of the snowy south ridge, is where you take off. Then go fast diagonally down past my right side just below the cliff band. Retrace by...
Strong work!
Based on the ease of getting up to Beverly creek TH last weekend I would have thought that the snow on the road wouldn't have given you so much grief.
Having gone up right about where you were on the South side of Stuart, I know how it can lure you up. The whole Stuart Massif is one of the more complex mountains in our area in terms of navigation.
Based on the ease of getting up to Beverly creek TH last weekend I would have thought that the snow on the road wouldn't have given you so much grief.
Having gone up right about where you were on the South side of Stuart, I know how it can lure you up. The whole Stuart Massif is one of the more complex mountains in our area in terms of navigation.
Thanks very much. I had Earl confused with Mary. David
Right On Oyvindy, Tobae, and Tim!
I'm Core, the mountainwinger that was up on the coulior side cliffs... here are a couple shots...
And what a glorious day in the high alpine.... wahoo!
I'm Core, the mountainwinger that was up on the coulior side cliffs... here are a couple shots...
And what a glorious day in the high alpine.... wahoo!
Most impressive! Stay safe out there!
...the ski conditions improved on the 8th and 9th....above 5000ft we found boot-deep powder again, corn below, and had bluebird skies on the 8th.
Our last day at the pass it was snowing at 2000ft, but the spell of warm weather had destroyed some of the snowbridges over the nearby streams...and we had to wade across in a couple spots!
After a week at Thompson Pass we got a pretty good glimpse at just what a unique place it is....all sharing the same chunk of land you have...
Our last day at the pass it was snowing at 2000ft, but the spell of warm weather had destroyed some of the snowbridges over the nearby streams...and we had to wade across in a couple spots!
After a week at Thompson Pass we got a pretty good glimpse at just what a unique place it is....all sharing the same chunk of land you have...
Nice work. Edging down the crux on rock gives drytooling a whole new meaning. 8)
Yeah, we both dropped the rocks under the lookout. Nothing huge, maybe 60-70 footers. But, for some reason the pictures didn't come out ... shutter lag on this digital is horrible.
"May 6, 2007 W Esmeralda Pk 6765', Hawkins Mt 7160' "
John, I thought I should double check with you on the naming of peaks in the Esmeralda group - in case I still have it wrong! :)
Here's a map with the names as I've been using them. From the CAG, point 6477 is Esmeralda Peaks - West Peak, and the highest of the Esmeralda Peaks is the East Peak at 6480'+. "High Esmeralda" 6760'+ is slightly higher than Point 6765, the na...
John, I thought I should double check with you on the naming of peaks in the Esmeralda group - in case I still have it wrong! :)
Here's a map with the names as I've been using them. From the CAG, point 6477 is Esmeralda Peaks - West Peak, and the highest of the Esmeralda Peaks is the East Peak at 6480'+. "High Esmeralda" 6760'+ is slightly higher than Point 6765, the na...
That is a sick ski descent for those Northwesterners not familiar with this peak. Good work.
Nice to see some Voile 3-pin cables still in use.
Nice shots. I smell a telemarktips cover for the second one.
Nice report- Real detailed.
Would like to do this trip someday with someone who has done it, yours looked like a long tour, but some of the traversing must have saved some energy and time.
In the 2nd picture is your return traverse in line with the persons body just below the steeper peak of Hawkins?
Thanks for sharing and keeping my dream alive.
Joe
Would like to do this trip someday with someone who has done it, yours looked like a long tour, but some of the traversing must have saved some energy and time.
In the 2nd picture is your return traverse in line with the persons body just below the steeper peak of Hawkins?
Thanks for sharing and keeping my dream alive.
Joe
Gotta like the gaiters-The mil on the trash compactor bags might be a little thicker, plus narrower and not as baggy as larger bags?
Maybe call them "Stream Jeans" or Mr Stream Jeans.
BTW-Great video pan shot. That is really a treat!
Joe
Maybe call them "Stream Jeans" or Mr Stream Jeans.
BTW-Great video pan shot. That is really a treat!
Joe
Sorry to be ignorant...can you see Earl? Which one is Earl? Looking at Rainier, pan left, get to the nearby snow ridge, keep going left, is Earl the meeting point of the three rocky ridges with prominent upper-right-to-lower-left ridges and ravines running down into a basin (?Bean creek)? Or maybe Earl is behind and that one is Navajo? Thanks David
I can see that your training with the keg at the Crystal Fest had a direct bearing on your time improvement. ;)
Hey,
It was nice meeting you guys up there. I was one of the 3 girls leaving when you guys were going up. I was sad we didn't bring a rope, but not so sad I left my skis at home! ;)
It was nice meeting you guys up there. I was one of the 3 girls leaving when you guys were going up. I was sad we didn't bring a rope, but not so sad I left my skis at home! ;)
Sweet trip, Kenji.
Thanks for the report and the pics.
Thanks for the report and the pics.
I have less of a problem paying a fair fee to the gov't... but a "service charge" extracted by a private company, through an exclusive deal with no alternative and no competition? Larry the tool wants YOU! ...to pay an extra 47% per permit into the hands of active.com, ("partnered with ESPN") for the opportunity to legally climb in public federal lands. That, my friends, is bullsh.
Tell us how you really feel, Justonian.
I missed the good weather by skiing on Sunday too, Scole. Bummer.
I missed the good weather by skiing on Sunday too, Scole. Bummer.
author=Jim Oker link=topic=7050.msg28234#msg28234 date=1178767916]
Zap - you continue to inspire me to retire nice and early.
Jim, Quite a few years ago some of my early retired RV friends convinced me that their only regret was that they didn't retire earlier. A couple of backcountry skiing buddies, Craig and Bryan, retired long before I did. They also convinced me that you probably don't need as much money as you thi...
6000'? Is that the kind of motivated staff you get for $15/permit? Hey since they already outsourced permit sales to a ticketmaster clone ($7 "service charge?"), why don't they go ahead and hire some private snowmobilers to ride around checking permits. Why stop there? Lease out the Marble Mtn Lodge for concessions, quick wax station five bucks, pay toilets, cut down some trees put in a terrain park with some loud music playing. A hit for the who...
Seriously- it's killing me. ;D
Just to follow up on Ultra's comments, the rangers were checking permits, even on the crappy day we experienced. The ranger I talked to went up to 6000 feet & then turned around. With better weather (and the last weekend before the quota period) coming, you can be sure that they'll be out checking permits this weekend.
Just to follow up on Ultra's comments, the rangers were checking permits, even on the crappy day we experienced. The ranger I talked to went up to 6000 feet & then turned around. With better weather (and the last weekend before the quota period) coming, you can be sure that they'll be out checking permits this weekend.
Funny you mention that. There is a sign at the trailhead indicating a bridge out at 1.5mi, which I would assume to be the one to Comet Falls. Looked pretty solid to me! :D
We went up on the 29th of April and had some sunshine and great snow to ski down on. Seems we got lucky. Looks like I am enjoying the view.
Zap - you continue to inspire me to retire nice and early.
It was good to meet you. I enjoy the variety of the terrain in the area especially when the ski area operates and you can purchase a single ride ticket for $10. :) Hope your trip to Early Winters was enjoyable. I'm planning to head up there shortly.
author=Scole link=topic=7036.msg28205#msg28205 date=1178668955]
Ok, I remember your group- a couple of Voile splits along with a Prior Split. :D
I also remember you guys arrived Saturday evening & hiked in to (presumably) camp at timberline. At least you got a nice sunset!
Yep, that was us. :D
We did have a nice sunset and camp around timberline. However, I knew my dreams of sunshine volcano r...
The road is pave the whole way. So no problems there. However, you need to purchase your permit before you go. They no longer sell them at Jack's. The only way to get them is online here. To climb on a Friday you must purchase the permit by 11:59 on Wednesday.
Nice! great pics. Glad we have some real trail blazers out there. For some reason, I thought the bridge was wiped out in a flood.
Hey Zap-
Thanks for the skin track! Alex and I went up to the high point, then traversed south across that bowl. Pretty great skiing and the views were awesome. We had been back there just south of the ski area 4 years ago and Alex had taken a panoramic picture of that ridge. It was on his fridge and every time I dropped him off from skiing elsewhere he would get it out and start hinting. It was great to finally get out there- sometimes I get pretty lazy about destinations and stick t...
Thanks for the skin track! Alex and I went up to the high point, then traversed south across that bowl. Pretty great skiing and the views were awesome. We had been back there just south of the ski area 4 years ago and Alex had taken a panoramic picture of that ridge. It was on his fridge and every time I dropped him off from skiing elsewhere he would get it out and start hinting. It was great to finally get out there- sometimes I get pretty lazy about destinations and stick t...
Nice action shots Chris!! Wish I could've joined in for another epic day ;D
Oh, and I think you meant MAY 4, not March...
Casey
Oh, and I think you meant MAY 4, not March...
Casey
HI- I might go up next friday and was wondering if the road up is too rough for my honda civic, which has poor clearance. do you remember how bad the road is? also, think i could get a permit just showing up on friday and do you think there might be many folks going up on a friday?
thanks linda
thanks linda
author=Kenji link=topic=7024.msg28170#msg28170 date=1178603955]
... Did you know the Rapid has the Japanese bullet-train on them?
Japanese Bullet-trains? Wow, Kenji, we need to get out sometime so I can see those rockets ;D Thanks for the report on Rock Mtn. Will have to get there some day. It looks great! I'm skiing the Karhu Jak BC this spring in a 165m. Not an mini-SUV, but l...
Ok, I remember your group- a couple of Voile splits along with a Prior Split. :D
I also remember you guys arrived Saturday evening & hiked in to (presumably) camp at timberline. At least you got a nice sunset!
I also remember you guys arrived Saturday evening & hiked in to (presumably) camp at timberline. At least you got a nice sunset!
Don, that was quite an adventure! Glad you came through OK and thanks for posting about it and the lessons learned. Navigating in the forest on gentle terrain with no visible landmarks can be challenging. Once on the way back from a long trip across Grand Park I nearly "started to head too far left to the first creek down to Huckleberry Cr" as well (right for me on the return), but realized my mistake with the help of map and compass. One thing is for sure: Green Trails maps are almost...
Great pic! We were in the RV at the parking lot and must've been up there right after you getting some of that delicious corn down Madison Ave. My buddy Nick shot a video of the paraskier (?) from the top, you might be in it.
http://picasaweb.google.com/nickspang/MAidez/photo#5062047208901542626 (Warning - expletives in the video)
You can also check out the whole slideshow for pics from the tour. Beautiful sunshine and an awesome day.
http://picasaweb.google.com/nickspang/MAidez/photo#5062047208901542626 (Warning - expletives in the video)
You can also check out the whole slideshow for pics from the tour. Beautiful sunshine and an awesome day.
We were up there too for the birthday tour on Saturday. Big crowds at Blue Lake col, but everybody was having fun and the skiing was great. We must have skied Madison Ave after you guys, but it was perfect corn for the first run. As we skinned back up for a second lap, somebody in one of the other parties broke out a parachute and started kite-skiing(?). Looked liked a blast!
-Doug
Photo of kite skier
-Doug
Photo of kite skier
author=BillK link=topic=6770.msg27926#msg27926 date=1177733015]
Who'd you use for guide service? I'm looking to go next year.... I had a similar experience with great snow in the Ortlers (Italy) the first week in April.
Thanks, Bill
Didn't use a guide service this year, as I was skiing with a group of friends. Sounds like you had a sweet time in Italy, which is cool.
not enough coffee this morning - I meant to say that I don't tele.... Rhymes with AT though. ;)
Pray for similar stellar weather next weekend for more of the same!
Pray for similar stellar weather next weekend for more of the same!