TR Replies
Ah...here I am increasing the GNP by reading trip reports on TAY....uh okay sorry....we should have skied it again and again....I am a lesser human wannabe.
Also there was a fairly brisk wind from the south.
Wolfs pictures are the bomb. Here are some lame photos
Also there was a fairly brisk wind from the south.
Wolfs pictures are the bomb. Here are some lame photos
Thank you, wishful thinking. I figured it was too early but hearing about bare dirt made me wonder.
Cool trip.
John
Cool trip.
John
John_Morrow there was still a snowbank on the side of the road. One could skin from here but would be a waste of time due to many many bare spots.
Those cornices were freaky. I followed a fracture along the ridge that was 10 ft from the edge, an inch wide for about 50 ft until the wind in snow made it disappear again. When they go it will be a site to see!
Those cornices were freaky. I followed a fracture along the ridge that was 10 ft from the edge, an inch wide for about 50 ft until the wind in snow made it disappear again. When they go it will be a site to see!
author=snoslut link=topic=6653.msg27174#msg27174 date=1175549815">
I expected to skin up steep tree'd slopes. Instead it was about 2,000 ft. of dirt, rock and rotten snow getting firmer the higher we ascended on a tree'd slope easily tipping 40 degrees. Yes much easier than expected once you run it through the North Cascades Meter.
matt, pictures (not so good - camera had an accident) here
It was great to meet you too, John. Thanks for the nice uptrack! I doubt any of my pictures are any good and the file size shrinking is for some reason too hard for me. I think I will do my usual and by late Tue there may be a few pictures on http://www.flickr.com/photos/koelle/ but your pictures captured it quite well. It was amazing how pristine those few inches of snow were. David K
Thanks for the honest and enjoyable report. ;)
Nice trip Lowell. As you said, perfect conditions for traversing and much better skiing than expected on those lower angle slopes. Was fun to make such great time across the basin to Chinook Pass and down the road. Yes, very efficient...especially so for some billy goats ;)
Cass...Jen, Dan and I were in the same vicinity...we ended up at Pinnapple Pass and then a shoulder up towards Bryant Peak that provided some good lines....you're right surprisingly good turns with that fresh snow.
so you were successful in finding the passage?? way to go! if anyone could find it, it would be you guys. 8) glad you had such a great day!
OOooh, I like the first pic, a lot!
Veerry Niiice!
Veerry Niiice!
Awesome -- maybe Andy should amend the video he put together from last year with a big "check" mark next to 505. Nice work y'all.
I'd love to see some pictures of the hut remodel too, if you have them.
I'd love to see some pictures of the hut remodel too, if you have them.
and after a much easier than expected approach...
I expected to skin up steep tree'd slopes. Instead it was about 2,000 ft. of dirt, rock and rotten snow getting firmer the higher we ascended on a tree'd slope easily tipping 40 degrees. Yes much easier than expected once you run it through the North Cascades Meter.
I was wondering about the snow coverage at Chinook, Lowell.
Diod you get another shot of the PCT where it crosses over 410?
Diod you get another shot of the PCT where it crosses over 410?
Sorry to be misleading -- by the fifth bluebird day I did not have the legs left to feel safe in 505, so I spotted from below for Lee and Benet.
You are right, Matt. I saw last year that the secret to 505 was to slide in from skier's right under the top bulge (which is pure ice). Snow conditions were perfect. we were able to ski 50 degree lines all week without worry. A once in a lifetime convergence of good snow quality, bluebird light, and phenominal stability. The guide f...
You are right, Matt. I saw last year that the secret to 505 was to slide in from skier's right under the top bulge (which is pure ice). Snow conditions were perfect. we were able to ski 50 degree lines all week without worry. A once in a lifetime convergence of good snow quality, bluebird light, and phenominal stability. The guide f...
Anyone else want to try St. Helens on the next clear day? contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
author=Monika link=topic=6627.msg27148#msg27148 date=1175477768]
We were so lucky with the weather and to be able to follow your tracks.
A spectacular end to my birthday ski trip. Monika and my thousand THANKS.
Monika - it was fun meeting up with you guys, hope to ski with you again sometime. Thanks for the pics!
Nice job Pete. We felt the same way as we watched the weather forecast turn for the worse during the week. But we lucked out and scored some sweet sunshine turns off the Duffey Lake road on Saturday. Would love to see some photos....
Can you pls. tell me more about the Russet Hut?
congrats Tim! glad to see that 'climbing route 505' is now 'skiing route 505' :)
author=Mad_Dog link=topic=6644.msg27147#msg27147 date=1175477306]
(Sorry you missed this one Silas)
My day was much more taxing, indoors with the 1040. :(
Glad to hear yours was pleasant.
Ohhhh so nice to see that line skied!!! Nice job Tim. I'm sad it wasn't me who got it...but congrats to you for nailing it!
Can you give us some details on the descent, Tim. Looks like you guys rolled in from skiers right instead of trying to negotiate that steep bulge at the top. Snow conditions look sweet!
There was a couple of other lines around FM that needed skied...maybe we should return next year!?!?!
Can you give us some details on the descent, Tim. Looks like you guys rolled in from skiers right instead of trying to negotiate that steep bulge at the top. Snow conditions look sweet!
There was a couple of other lines around FM that needed skied...maybe we should return next year!?!?!
We were so lucky with the weather and to be able to follow your tracks.
A spectacular end to my birthday ski trip. Monika and my thousand THANKS.
squeaky snow, but grateful for no wind that winter night with a 30 degree bag.
Pics of Andy's group dropping down to the Tremor glacier
and their ski down the Overlord glacier, Fissile in the back.
Nice report and pics. Looks like great weather, scenery, and skiing. Doesn't get much better than that.
Appreciate it. My first and only trip up there last year left me intimately acquainted with road 4315, because it was blocked at valley bottom and then snow-free quite a ways. An earlier go seems warranted. MSN Earth marks the road out quite well. I can see why you like the area. David
Patti and I were across the freeway at summit west. We just picked up some new gear and wanted to check it out before heading off piste. My first tele day I'm hooked!! ;D We had plenty of sunbreaks and the snow was very good. Nice corn. Had the place to ourselves. To be expected I guess it is Summit West. Last week when we were up in that area there was quite a bit of avy activity. How are the conditions looking now?
Yeah, nice day. Fun snow conditions I thought. Paul was stoked. Slushy groom!! Woohoo.
Yeah nice line out of there......lots of people hit that. Hang left too for a nice one down to the lake :)
dkoelle,
Yes, the main Cle elum river road is plowed and there actually is a snowpark at the bottom of RD 4315. Start skiing the road up to the first switchback and then take the skis off and hike the rib along the creek which will take you past the edge of the third switchback. You can put and keep the skis on from here. Just head upslope through the forest and it will put you in the big regenerating clear cut. I tried to jpeg a Topo! map to post but I can not get the size down to 100...
Yes, the main Cle elum river road is plowed and there actually is a snowpark at the bottom of RD 4315. Start skiing the road up to the first switchback and then take the skis off and hike the rib along the creek which will take you past the edge of the third switchback. You can put and keep the skis on from here. Just head upslope through the forest and it will put you in the big regenerating clear cut. I tried to jpeg a Topo! map to post but I can not get the size down to 100...
author=dkoelle link=topic=6619.msg27124#msg27124 date=1175396432]
Great report. Do you mean to say, the main valley road is snow-free and can be driven to where 4315 hits the valley bottom? Thanks.
In the interest of time, I hope you won't mind me answering for John; :)
The road to Salmon La Sac is plowed all winter long. With very few exceptions, you can always drive to the parking area(s) that giv...
"Quick access report: One can ski the entire way from the trailhead if you stay on Rd. 4315 to the third switchback at 2800ft;"
Great report. Do you mean to say, the main valley road is snow-free and can be driven to where 4315 hits the valley bottom? Thanks.
Great report. Do you mean to say, the main valley road is snow-free and can be driven to where 4315 hits the valley bottom? Thanks.
That was actually a Borat line, but, that is also good info. Was the $540 Volkens fee, or the cost of the trip? Sorry, I couldn't resist the Borat line, after watching it my friends and I spoke Kazakh for about two weeks.
Nice trip report, Greg...
Short and to the point.
I'll just add a couple of tidbits:
1. Touring up at Roger's Pass should be excellent for a while. There is over 5 feet of consolidated snowpack at the Asulkan trailhead.
2. The Tour to the Saphire Hut is 4,500 v.f. from the car and very direct. Excellent continuous skiing pitches at around 35 degrees.
Short and to the point.
I'll just add a couple of tidbits:
1. Touring up at Roger's Pass should be excellent for a while. There is over 5 feet of consolidated snowpack at the Asulkan trailhead.
2. The Tour to the Saphire Hut is 4,500 v.f. from the car and very direct. Excellent continuous skiing pitches at around 35 degrees.
author=FFCS link=topic=6627.msg27117#msg27117 date=1175365004]
NIIICE! How much?
I think it was $540 for 3 days, which we elected to shorten to 2. I've been "meaning" to do the tour for at least 5 years, this way you actually get it done!
I was in that group of 4 descending the dunes.
author=Splitboard Graham link=topic=6630.msg27106#msg27106 date=1175316169]Exactly. These dunes are a pleasant romp, mostly a gentle grade but with a few short, steep rolls thrown in. Wind loading was variable but no slabs were present. I would have thought we'd finish this run cliffed out above the lake,...
Amazing wind deposits, not dry exactly, but better than slush, and easy to turn in.
Quite the streak, Larry. I challenge anyone to say they have wintercamped at least one night each week since November! You sure had an array of different and interesting weather. It was good to make it up to the "Sasse Ridge Medical Clinic" for at least a couple of check ups this season.
Thanks for a great day, Thurs.
John
Thanks for a great day, Thurs.
John
author=telemack link=topic=6627.msg27105#msg27105 date=1175316099]
What do you think this would be like next week?
The coverage is great (over 3m base at Whistler) so unless we get another big Pineapple it should be great!
Excellent report and great photo's Andy!! Very nice!!
Alpymarr is correct - Melakwa Pass is a new favorite. Great views of Glacier Peak, Dakobed range, White Horse area?, even Mt. Adams... The run down to Chair Peak Lake was pristine, except for some older large snow/ice chunks to slalom around. Perfect gap between the cornices at the pass. Nice runs on the South side, but not in the sun triggered avalanches yesterday, coming down constantly on Southerly slopes. Amazing wind deposits, not dry exactly, but better than slush, and easy to turn in. The...
What do you think this would be like next week?
Good job Andy! I'll let U know if I get an unlimited pass. Scotsman, Joedabaker & I have plans for sump'in' next week.