TR Replies
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
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 nice to meet you guys. It's fun to put faces to the names around here. The stump was certainly a wiser route choice for the day. It was a great day to get up in mtns and enjoy the sunshine.
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.
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.
Zap, let's keep trying to get together for a ski. I'll bet you had a good time with your grandson!
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.
Great trip and photos. I wish I could have joined you. I took one of my "sherpa grandsons" to Central.
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...
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...
Nice job Lee...Congrats on skiing 505...that is one sweet line.
I've enjoyed your website and photos for awhile now. Looking forward to your pics from week 2.
I've enjoyed your website and photos for awhile now. Looking forward to your pics from week 2.
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.
Nice job, bubbas. It's a bit of a heave even in the summer with big packs.
About two miles melted out. the rest is skiable.
Best
David
Best
David
Hey thanks for the report. Is there much of the road melted out or is just a little bit that was shown in one of the pictures?
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.
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.
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...