TR Replies

Several times this season I have gazed eastward from the Snoqualmie, or Red, or Kaleetan, and pondered what secret descents lay hidden deep within the range.  My life seemed the less full for not having explored these remote passes when snow ruled over the terrain.  It makes me glad to know that a rare few, at least, have tasted the delights of the Snoqualmie interior on skis.

We've just done 3 days of skinning up ski-area runs.  To me it sure feels like BC if I earn 'em.

Diamond looks cool, as do all volcanoes.  How late is it usually skiable?

Sounds nice.  Good to hear of some other areas around the Wallowas.  Do you recommend the Anthony Lakes area for some more BC tours?

Awesome. I really want to get further back in this area. Thanks for the photos and words.

  It is kind of ironic that the reason I did not join you guys on the trip was that I had just returned from the long drive to and from Nelson. I am surprised that the border patrol give you any grief, since your description of Telemack sounds like your typical Nelson resident. Like you I really enjoyed Whitewater, especially its steep glades. We should look into a return trip there next March.

Where's Curious George?


{Isn't it a little early for mosquitos?}

Must have been nice up there...and very quiet. Cool video feature there on dotPhoto.

Ian

Thanks for the update on the snow totals and the pics of the Chinook summit. I have been meaning to take the trek over but haven't made it yet this year. The tracks where probably from the DOT avy crew, they stopped in here last week on there way up there to check out snow conditions.

Finally got the pics off my camera  ::)

The MadDog was hot last Sunday:


The snow was really fast, as others have also pointed out...


As an aside, I had to give up on Picasa.  The service was real handy but I couldn't seem to get the links to work with it.  I'm sure folks were getting tired...

Hey androolus, can gwanch ever be classified as mank? If so what kind of mank rating would you give it?

The chute on the left is looking lonely.

Nice! Great line. Ben Haskell & Co have been skiing it over the last few years. Who knows--maybe he was the first? Anyway, after Dave & I skied it in Feb, Ben told me that he calls it the "Big Guy" Couloir.

Yes, that was a very nice day! I will be interested to hear how your trip yesterday went - are you going to post a TR?

author=ron j link=topic=6644.msg27263#msg27263 date=1175753523]
...she always says things to make us look like we know what we are doing...

ron j--either you fake it well and you got me fooled, or you've actually learned something somewhere along the line...i'd venture to say the latter, but maybe you're the ultimate con artist??  hmmm...  ;)

Expertly reported, MadDog.
Ally's such a sweetheart; she always says things to make us look like we know what we are doing... I like that in a woman.
I still owe some pics - they're on the top of my list  ;)

Great to see kids!
How old are they?
I've got a 4 and 6 year old (5 and 7 for next season) that I'm hoping to get into telegear and backcountry too. (BTW Where did you get their gear?)
Mine actually had their first overnighter on cross country gear during the real cold snap in January. Glad you guys faired ok yourselves.

Phreadi leave early enough and postholing won't be an issue on the way up.  The way down though??  That depends on how far you can ride down.  Between waiting for the corn to ready and watching Helens fart, postholing will be the last thing on your mind.  Plus postholing builds character and those oh so covitted torture points.  Good luck!

Nice photo Kyle!  That was us at Crystal.  We were wondering where you pitched your tent?

Looked like a great trip other than the real cold overnight temps.
That was great to see the whole gang got out. That is a lot of work to put that together. Deep inside I was envious and joyous that the youths got that experience.
Nice slide show-I really like the fire pit with the chimney. Did you make sure the flue was open?  :D
And the skiing looked great, gotta like that long drainage run-looks like the dog did too.
Joe

Hey Ron,

I was one of the guys you spoke to in the parking lot when you got back. We had a nice morning on Kendall Stump. We also saw evidence of slab motion, but the low angles there made the skiing less dicey. It was a gorgeous day to be out for sure.

Great pictures, Lee, and welcome to TAY. Tim is right, when you get tired of the dog pictures and "single and frustrated" threads, this is the place to be.

Thanks for the report -- I have a question:

I'm planning on making the ascent soon...during april most likely, and I've never done St. Helens before. I'll be on a regular (not split) snowboard, but I'd like to avoid using snowshoes. I have universal crampons that I can use w/ snowboard boots/hiking boots on the firms steeps. I think right now, it's snow from the TH all the way to the top, no? How were the snow conditions overall on your ascent? Would I have be...

Those same 4 inches had me biting my nails at that same hour, on descent from Chair Peak basin-- I sent one big heavy sluff straining through trees and over a small declivity, fortunately not with myself in tow.  To imagine the same conditions in a confined gully, as pictured, is exciting perhaps but not overly appealing. 

About two miles melted out. the rest is skiable.
Best
David

I sent Lee a note on the three-pic per thread rule here.

Keep your boots off, he is a MVP sort of backcountry skier, will gladly accord with the guidelines, and I hope he becomes a constant part of the TAY patter.