TR Replies
Michael - Best wishes to you and family for a great stay in Zurich! Thanks for sharing, we're gonna miss you guys around here...
"Come with me or forfeit your proj!" ;D
I have a photo of Eric at the same spot from below. I'll post it when I'm working yet another graveyard shift tonight.
Great trip, guys.
I have a photo of Eric at the same spot from below. I'll post it when I'm working yet another graveyard shift tonight.
Great trip, guys.
Andy, thanks for the company and the tour. The slides where all class1 and probably not big enough
to bury you but they certainly could have taken us for a ride over some cliff bands which is always a factor to consider in the terrain up there.
Hopefully, some of the other TAYERS will take you up on your offer to ski now that we can vouch for you as being fairly normal . ;D Actually a damm more normal than Telemack and I. ;)
to bury you but they certainly could have taken us for a ride over some cliff bands which is always a factor to consider in the terrain up there.
Hopefully, some of the other TAYERS will take you up on your offer to ski now that we can vouch for you as being fairly normal . ;D Actually a damm more normal than Telemack and I. ;)
Awesome photos Michael, say hello to Corinne, we'll certainly miss you both over the next couple of years. It was a pleasure having you involved in our Glacier class with your vast knowledge and experience . Remember to keep the slippery side down and enjoy those "big" mountains.
Here's a wobbly 3.5 minute video from the day before (Sat 3rd Feb).
We did a much easier route - staying on the Mer de Glace side coming down - but we started up the same way, so you get much the same view of the Vallee Blanche.
We did a much easier route - staying on the Mer de Glace side coming down - but we started up the same way, so you get much the same view of the Vallee Blanche.
Interesting report, and I think you can see the Maroon Bells in the background of your "ridge & skintrack" photo.
Yea verily it was good, esp. the slides running through the trees above Source Lake as we skied them. It was wise to skip the bootpack up to the saddle climber's right of Chair Peak, that would have been a ride. Looks like the snow has started again, and next weekend should be sweet. :) Good day, judgment needed and exercised.
It was satisfying to bc with a young buck who can tolerate us middle-aged smartasses. 8)
It was satisfying to bc with a young buck who can tolerate us middle-aged smartasses. 8)
i'm trying to picture where the Breche Puiseaus is- is it on the same ridge, but to the south, of the col du tacul, near the bivauc shelter? I'm confused because I thought the Glacier Noire was on the opposite side of the basin, facing the breche. I guess my memory is fading. Anyway, great picutres.
That's funny, I just noticed the jet the other day as well ;)
I had one of those "get caught up" weeekends and hate to admit that I wished i gotten out instead. thanks for the pics and words.
Thanks for the report Andy, if not for the flue bug, I would have been another skier yesterday. Curious as to your route?? The chute that you skied was parallel to and same length as the normal winter climbing route? Why the need to boot up the road? Any pics?
Thanks again - Scott
Thanks again - Scott
Wow, I skied near Lake Wenatchee today and conditions were very different. Didn't pop out of the dense fog until above 5000ft... so it was mainly a gloomy misty low visibility day. The snow was horrible -> icy, breakable crust, then slush (respectively, at decreasing elevations).
I wish there was a way to find out when a crappy weather forecast actually means blue-bird west of the crest (at least that's what we drove through in the morning), and fog to high e...
I wish there was a way to find out when a crappy weather forecast actually means blue-bird west of the crest (at least that's what we drove through in the morning), and fog to high e...
Thanks for doing the TR, Blitz. Nice work.
Pics Posted from this trip.
Click on Picture to view more.
Pics Posted from this trip.
Click on Picture to view more.
Thanks for all the comments...
Greg/Kam: definitely would have been fun to have you guys over here this year again! We definitely had a much better snow year last year though - so no regrets on that side ;) Kam: of course I miss you ;D need I say it?
As for Peter - yes he was in great shape...as a matter of fact I had a hard time following him up the couloir.
The aiguille du Midi was mostly crowded because one guy simply stopped walking for about 25 minutes. We p...
Greg/Kam: definitely would have been fun to have you guys over here this year again! We definitely had a much better snow year last year though - so no regrets on that side ;) Kam: of course I miss you ;D need I say it?
As for Peter - yes he was in great shape...as a matter of fact I had a hard time following him up the couloir.
The aiguille du Midi was mostly crowded because one guy simply stopped walking for about 25 minutes. We p...
WOW! l'homme agréable de pitctures!
DAMN things look bare over there...not much snowfall over there this winter huh?
cool! i've been wondering what it would be like to head up to paradise now, and have the whole thing to yourself...way to enjoy it! :)
sweet, dood!! i dig the photos too. cool to be out with your dad and bro! you guys are tearing it up out there!! ;D
::) Hey...that's MS Telemack! ;D
It was indeed a great trip with beautiful aspects and great company--and much closer to home than British Columbia or the Wallawas. --Lisa
It was indeed a great trip with beautiful aspects and great company--and much closer to home than British Columbia or the Wallawas. --Lisa
Them's some serious mountains, Michael.
I'm glad to see that you and Corrine are getting to enjoy your extended family in the environment that you all love.
I'm glad to see that you and Corrine are getting to enjoy your extended family in the environment that you all love.
Nordic NED: very nice fotos! aahooh aahooh!
Peter looks like he's in wonderful shape!
do you miss me?
glad to see the Midi wasn't busy... ;)
Peter looks like he's in wonderful shape!
do you miss me?
glad to see the Midi wasn't busy... ;)
Glad to see it's not all work, dude, and sorry I'm not there with you this year.
That's some serious traffic on the Aiguille du Midi!
That's some serious traffic on the Aiguille du Midi!
Wow. Great tour and great pictures. Especially like the
Vallee Blanche picture -- probably best complete shot of the
Col du Plan "run" I've seen (the furthest lookers right way down the
glacier)...some of the best "lift" skiing I've ever experienced.
Vallee Blanche picture -- probably best complete shot of the
Col du Plan "run" I've seen (the furthest lookers right way down the
glacier)...some of the best "lift" skiing I've ever experienced.
Michael- Glad to hear you're getting out the mountains and were able to find an untracked powder stash! Sweet photos!!! Brings back some great memories of the Valle Blanche 8) [snow coverage on the glacier sure is looking thin for this time year!]
Sir, and we thought you were stuck indoors... Mrs Telemak is a player! Kudos on your TR
Nice work -- that creek crossing photo in the cc.com thread looks sporty!
We just went straight up Gold Creek (starting from the cabins road a little East of the Snow Park). Left car at 5am and got back at 6pm. We skied some other stuff on the the way out to Chikamin, so hard to say how long to the base, but from the base of Chikamin back to the car took about 2--1/2 hours.
What route did you take out there? How long did it take out and back?
You folks are my HEROES. I drool when I think about the Picket Range. They are my ultimate ski destination, although I haven't had the chance to get out to them yet. Very inspiring. Nice show.
Fun report, but what's the cartoon reference? Whoever wrote it musta been
Blitzed! :)
Blitzed! :)
the desk-jockeys of seattle salute you dan. hope the toes heal up fast!
author=philfort link=topic=6153.msg25473#msg25473 date=1170273566]
I think a zoom is pretty important for action photography and scenics, where you might be restricted in where you can move. Plus you don't want to be swapping lenses all the time in a dirty environment.
I'd agree on having a zoom. When out in the field (that is skiing, biking, etc) it's somewhat of a pain to have to swap out lenses and su...
Dan,
I feel your frostbite pain. I had pretty bad frostbite on both hands several years ago. Watch it for infection! I spent a night in the hospital on an antibiotic IV with a high fever and red lines shooting up my arms a week later.
I feel honored that we have a true ski bum posting on TAY.
Sky
I feel your frostbite pain. I had pretty bad frostbite on both hands several years ago. Watch it for infection! I spent a night in the hospital on an antibiotic IV with a high fever and red lines shooting up my arms a week later.
I feel honored that we have a true ski bum posting on TAY.
Sky
Nice report Alisa.
I know the cackle you speak of...it is unforgettable :D
For reference, here's a shot of telemack enjoying the Super Bowl at Crystal last year:
There is something really great about Super Bowl Sunday when is falls on a powder day!
We were with Scotsman this day too, but in true Scottie form he is long...
I know the cackle you speak of...it is unforgettable :D
For reference, here's a shot of telemack enjoying the Super Bowl at Crystal last year:
There is something really great about Super Bowl Sunday when is falls on a powder day!
We were with Scotsman this day too, but in true Scottie form he is long...
Good report Blitz. :D
As usual, the company was great, the snow awful and much fun was had by all.
Watching Ron and Daryll jumping up and down on that cornice( while belayed) was a hoot.
When the cornice did eventually break it snowplowed down the slope picking up more wet snow until it was about the size of a refrigerator. 8) Good test for stability though.
Definately a tour where you had to appreciate the uphill and just how bad snow can get.
Thanks R...
As usual, the company was great, the snow awful and much fun was had by all.
Watching Ron and Daryll jumping up and down on that cornice( while belayed) was a hoot.
When the cornice did eventually break it snowplowed down the slope picking up more wet snow until it was about the size of a refrigerator. 8) Good test for stability though.
Definately a tour where you had to appreciate the uphill and just how bad snow can get.
Thanks R...
Well, I suppose we called it day pretty early...around 2:30 or so since things were pretty sloppy. Still, I'd definitely rather be skiing than sitting in front of the tube! ;D
Oh, I forgot to mention we also saw several old wet slides from a distance on mostly northwest aspects in Crystal Basin, in case anyone was interested.
Oh, I forgot to mention we also saw several old wet slides from a distance on mostly northwest aspects in Crystal Basin, in case anyone was interested.
Hey! A day skiing is better than the Super Bowl.
You got your trip report out fast (by 8:04 pm) ... my watch says 7:45 pm ... but wait, I am stuck in Hawaii (and thinking about skiing) so you are two hours ahead. Still that was fast.
You got your trip report out fast (by 8:04 pm) ... my watch says 7:45 pm ... but wait, I am stuck in Hawaii (and thinking about skiing) so you are two hours ahead. Still that was fast.
awsome pictures!! i especially like the one of "tracks back to camp under stars",, like a ephoric dream or something
Recognized you guys from your pics - saw you in the lot on the return. you headed down just before it socked in, we got flat light up top. yay. Saw someone double-eject up there yesterday and take 1000' slide, luckily there was nothing to run into & he slowed down eventually and was ok. Whoever you are, glad you're alright & good job getting in control and into pos'n to slow yourself down best you could on that hard snow. way to prevent the ra...
author=Charles link=topic=6180.msg25573#msg25573 date=1170561984">
So how was the snow for turns? Still getting soft during the day or all firmed/frozen up?
Overall, pretty hard and crusty there today, with a bit of softening below about 4,200-ft. The clouds thickened through the morning and freezing rain/sleet/snow began around 1:00. Skied from the summit to the parking lot: upper mtn was rather firm and crusty, enjoyed tha...
So how was the snow for turns? Still getting soft during the day or all firmed/frozen up?
Here are some more West McMillan Photos
I hope that everyone was able to get out and enjoy the nice weather. It looks like our weather is getting back to normal :'(
I hope that everyone was able to get out and enjoy the nice weather. It looks like our weather is getting back to normal :'(
We made a similar attempt, though I wouldn't say the skiing was better than expected. It was, however, better than a good day at work.
If you were up there Thursday, then the date was Feb. 1, so I will change that in your original post.