TR Replies
Telemack--I think Oregon has slightly less snow at lower elevations this year over last, but plenty deep above 5500'. I did McLaughlin last year in early June and there was snow at the trailhead, but road was just open. I don't know, but would bet the road will open in May this year. There is lots of snow on the North side long into summer.
Thanks for the beta, Jim. Did you head up the standard approach to gain Meany Crest? any sense of the snow coverage? Thxs.
Great skiing on Silver Star, huh? I knew I was gonna hear that from someone...
I heard that the Park isn't planning on opening the White River Road til 5/25, but its totally clear and passable as far as I rode it. Access seems pretty good right now with snow right to the road and the streams still pretty filled in so that's too bad. The folks in Greenwater were dying to have a little better access to that side of the mountain. In fact, they said the road was clear up to Sunr...
I heard that the Park isn't planning on opening the White River Road til 5/25, but its totally clear and passable as far as I rode it. Access seems pretty good right now with snow right to the road and the streams still pretty filled in so that's too bad. The folks in Greenwater were dying to have a little better access to that side of the mountain. In fact, they said the road was clear up to Sunr...
Useful replies, thank ewe. We are going to Ashland for some Shakespeare the last week of June and I thought I'd duck off for some volcano corn.
"To turn or not to turn, that is the question."
"To turn or not to turn, that is the question."
Thanks for the early Frying Pan report, it's good to know what's happening up there.
Silver Star turned out to be a perfect choice on Saturday, partly blue skies, enough sun to burn our faces to a crispy husk, and spring powder turns down to 6k or so and slushy below- however there was quite a bit of traffic. I don't think it will be totally tracked out for you next weekend.
Silver Star turned out to be a perfect choice on Saturday, partly blue skies, enough sun to burn our faces to a crispy husk, and spring powder turns down to 6k or so and slushy below- however there was quite a bit of traffic. I don't think it will be totally tracked out for you next weekend.
author=Plinko link=topic=6954.msg27928#msg27928 date=1177741335]
Mmmm, Kailas! How do you like em? Are you skiing AT or Tele?
I tele, well...most of the time :-[. I seem to be throwing in more downhill turns of late.
I love the Kailas. A very fun ski that does surprisingly well on ice, corn, powder and everything between. A great all around ski in my opinion.
author=telemack link=topic=6965.msg27961#msg27961 date=1177909127]
Looks nice. Is it too early to ask how much snow will be left on the southern volcanoes, such as McLaughlin, in June?
Brenda and I usually make an annual pilgrimage to Roseburg to visit my parents on 4th of July weekend. We always find plenty of snow up around Mt Thielsen, even in a low snow year. This year should be no different. The Sister's hold snow even...
author=cochise link=topic=6960.msg27940#msg27940 date=1177827135]To our left there were three guys coming down S.Early Winter Spire and it looked like a fun climb!
The couloir looks ripe for some yo-yoing! :D
Maybe a mile plus or minus depends how much you want to walk your skis on dirt. There are about 3 trees down partially blocking the trail. defintely plan on carrying your skis to the upper XC crossing. seems like we always get greedy and start skinning too soon then lose time repacking. Skiing back down the trail is truely is one of the best parts of the trip for me. This time I shot video of Jenn boarding out in front me as I skied down.
Hey Don! I chatted with you briefly about your dog on the way up. Glad it all worked out. Superb day! The views into the crater, and of Rainier, Adams and Hood were all stunning.
Gorp, it is about a mile and a half or so until you hit skinnable snow, with a break or two after that.
Gorp, it is about a mile and a half or so until you hit skinnable snow, with a break or two after that.
author=Robie link=topic=6961.msg27943#msg27943 date=1177859051]
Marblemount sno park clear of snow, trail dry up to the highest XC ski trail crossing
how far is this? wondering how long from the parking lot till you reached consistent snow...
thanks
author=telemack link=topic=6965.msg27961#msg27961 date=1177909127]
Looks nice. Is it too early to ask how much snow will be left on the southern volcanoes, such as McLaughlin, in June?
Boot, Nice Job getting in there. We were 3 miles to the east of you on Red Top 6400' between D'Peak and Crescent lake to the East. You had the goods! great shot of the big bowl/ridge with with W'Pass Hill in the background.
Nice trip Jeff. It's been a few years since I've skied the Face. It is a wonderful line with spring corn.
Looks nice. Is it too early to ask how much snow will be left on the southern volcanoes, such as McLaughlin, in June?
author=normanclyde link=topic=6963.msg27958#msg27958 date=1177904417]
What happens if you summit via Timberline, then ski down Wy'East?
Getting from the summit to the top of the Wyeast face is pretty spicey from what I understand. You could ski the NC headwall though.
What happens if you summit via Timberline, then ski down Wy'East? Long traverse required? Does approaching from Mt Hood Meadows save time and trouble?
Absolutly beautiful, I can't wait to make it up there in the next week or two!
Andy,
Great trip and photos! That is my favorite mountain, but I don't hope to ski it like that!
Great trip and photos! That is my favorite mountain, but I don't hope to ski it like that!
Great day for Mt St H, if a bit warm and sweaty on the way up until west winds took over on the final hump. I was talking to Jenn at the summit about her possible conversion to skis and her Dynafit compatible boots, just before you two went down. I was on Shuksans with Dynafits and yellow Megalights, and the solo skier with a bunch of hikers, including Barkely the dog, who summitted several times without his master, because he knew that's where people eat lunch.
There are some go...
There are some go...
We left from Seattle at about 630 am stopped in Darrington for gas,and were at the Blue Lake Trailhead at about 10am. That's at the speed limit and getting caught behind the slow folks too. We were out and on the road again at about 4-430pm. Home by 730pm. Kind of a long trip for the one tour but that was the only day we had. If you can spend the weekend you won't run out of tours to do. I'm going to try to head up next Friday for Hidden Lakes and then? ;D Have a good time and get...
Well done Andy! I had no idea you had such photo skills. That first picture is incredible. If you are ever feeling injured and slow, I would love to get back up with you.
Scott
Scott
Excellent! Did you drive up from Seattle? If so, how long did it take you to get there? (I want to head up there next weekend!)
Good run . Just skied my Kailas tele mount today like em too! Jay
We spent a lot of time on top and near the top of the Silver King waiting for visibility gaps to ski down. Had to make sluffs and let them ride and ski in their wake in one stretch. The groomers from base of chair 6 and down were quite fun even if not steep. Off groomers is mush city.
The couloir up to the ridge of Kaleetan is protected by a couple of medium size cornices, I was lucky not to see them until I was right under them, did not dare come back that way nor could I see down the SE face so skied from summit down SW to about 4500 and then toured E towards Melakwa Lake. Decent alternative.
Atomic Kailas - tele mounted, like them!
Atomic Kailas - tele mounted, like them!
A few pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/koelle/
The snow was maybe disappointing but it was great to get an introduction to a new area. Thank you Charles.
The snow was maybe disappointing but it was great to get an introduction to a new area. Thank you Charles.
author=Jim Oker link=topic=6950.msg27907#msg27907 date=1177691868]
Thanks for the confirmation that below treeline near the crest is its usual April thing - inbetween season.
I'm thinking that your usual haunts a little further east might be in much better relative condition right now. Do you think it's too late to do Jolly, for instance?
Jim, there was a huge difference in the snowpack at Smith Brook compared...
author=Jim Oker link=topic=6950.msg27907#msg27907 date=1177691868">
Thanks for the confirmation that below treeline near the crest is its usual April thing - inbetween season.
I'm thinking that your usual haunts a little further east might be in much better relative condition right now. Do you think it's too late to do Jolly, for instance?
You are not too late. I skied out to Jolly last Saturday. Although I di...
author=Jason_H. link=topic=6954.msg27920#msg27920 date=1177716643]
Nice skis ;D
Mmmm, Kailas! How do you like em? Are you skiing AT or Tele?
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
Thanks, Bill
Ohhhh, so that's what "very poor" Vis is...hmmm
Riding by the feel of your walkin' stick...
Riding by the feel of your walkin' stick...
author=Jim Oker link=topic=6950.msg27913#msg27913 date=1177698902]
Thanks, MD2020 - that confirmed my suspicions. Sounds like it's likely still a hefty walk to get to Beverly Creek (unless you're Jason driving his truck).
On my bald tires ;D. Ha. I'm just fortunate my brother brought the chains. I'm still sweating from that.
Larry - Thanks for the TR. I'm glad that you still posted.
Thanks, MD2020 - that confirmed my suspicions. Sounds like it's likely still a hefty walk to get to Beverly Creek (unless you're Jason driving his truck).
I don't know about Jolly, but I can tell you that the snow in the Teanaway is prime right now - at least on more southern aspects. We were up on Earl last Sunday by way of Bean Creek, and there was maybe an inch of wet new on top of a very firm base. We only made it up to about 6000' due to poor visibility and the onset of heavy squalls. Excellent skiing nevertheless. The road was driveable maybe 1/2 mile past the forest service station.
Nice report. The observations of the snowpack were interesting. The warm cloud cover and wet percipitation are frustations with spring skiing in this area. Not to mention the low visibility at higher elevations. But it is all good and keeps us turning all year. Climbing peaks is fine but it is a different discipline and the TRs tend to focus on the objective instead of the process. Its good to know whats happening on the way to the grocery store.
Thanks for the confirmation that below treeline near the crest is its usual April thing - inbetween season.
I'm thinking that your usual haunts a little further east might be in much better relative condition right now. Do you think it's too late to do Jolly, for instance?
I'm thinking that your usual haunts a little further east might be in much better relative condition right now. Do you think it's too late to do Jolly, for instance?
author=AndyMartin link=topic=6946.msg27899#msg27899 date=1177647723]
jcocci - that was us in the Honda van. We car camped at the logging road turnoff about a quarter mile lower down.
What I meant from my previous post is that I was on the ridge above Lake Ann that looks at the Curtis Glacier and saw you guys coming down. I drove past you guys on the way down right as you were pulling out. I was in a white VW van. Glad the weather...
jcocci - that was us in the Honda van. We car camped at the logging road turnoff about a quarter mile lower down.
wow, nice job tracking it up there! Cool pics 8)
Awesome, that's a fun route. I saw a picture on another TR somewhere and the Pyramid looked really filled in, too. I wish that I would've had friday or monday off. Ha. They were both nice days!!!
Thanks for the pics.
Thanks for the pics.
author=silaswild link=topic=6939.msg27877#msg27877 date=1177596359]
Is there a results listing anywhere? There were at least three races I heard: one from base of Whistler to the Roundhouse, one short course up top, and the race Ian describes, more?
Silas - I can't find results anywhere either, but here is the site detailing the three different races - http://www.wbfj.ca/tnf_raceseries.html.
The more races y...
I was out at Lake Ann that day and saw you guys coming down from the ridge above Lake Ann that looks at the Curtis Glacier. Saw you coming down from above the Curtis Glacier and then across it. Were you in a gold van that was parked by the gate of the lower lot?
Nice report Michael. Looks like your having some great trips despite the lower snowpack this year. Good to hear from you!
Is there a results listing anywhere? There were at least three races I heard: one from base of Whistler to the Roundhouse, one short course up top, and the race Ian describes, more?
author=jdclimber link=topic=6939.msg27850#msg27850 date=1177477265]
Damn fine work!!!! I waved at you when you went by. I was amazed that you could make that big rig move that fast.
jdclimber: I should mention that one remote possibility for being able to move at a decent pace is that I'm hiking on a pair of BD 01 telemark bindings, the ones that have a free pivot similar to AT. I can't tell you how much energy this saves over...
Great TR Andy!! Way to get after it with Armin and Claire... you guys have all been busy!! Excellent photo's as usual!
We were skiing moguls on an constriction point on the Todi tour (central Switzerland) a few weeks back - apparently easter weekend had been quite busy and we were there right after the weekend. Lotsa tourers all over the mountains we traveled in, though we also found some relative solitude.