TR Replies
author=Mad_Dog link=topic=4618.msg19692#msg19692 date=1146515771]
Actually he was giving a set of Kelvin's skis a great test run down the mountain.
Kelvin - thanks for letting me ride a GREAT pair of skis (I think they are the Dr. Strange Love). Even I couldn't get them crash.
author=Tophervw link=topic=4618.msg19700#msg19700 date=1146523260]
...Does anyone have an elevation reading for the lodge there at campbell basin?
My waypoint for the top of chair 9 (AKA "Gay Ranger" or "Forest Queen") seems to claim 6150. Looking at the map I'd say that's probably close enough for government work ;)
Nice to put a face to your handle yesterday.
Great effort by all. Many thanks to those who acquired the beverages and let out space on the grills. Twas a great day. Good to put some names on faces er..faces on aka's. Does anyone have an elevation reading for the lodge there at campbell basin?
C
C
author=Mad_Dog link=topic=4618.msg19692#msg19692 date=1146515771]
If you can't trust where you set your "Q", just take it with you
everyone should toe a "q" sometime in their life... ;)
i too had a great day and got in some great skiing. thanks for picking such a perfect day to be born, jeanette! it certainly was a good time celebrating with you, and everyone else for that matter.
i'...
Thanks Bob. I sent you an email.
That's a wonderful story Lowell. Congratulations on successfully introducing your son to the sport!
Great report. It's great to see the next generation. My daughter just turned nine and I have been sceming how to get her touring. She likes to cross conrty ski and downhill but the gear issue seems to be my hold-up. It seems like the alpine trackers worked out and news out there for ski touring gear for kids.
It was a great day in the mountains, the 3rd annual Crystal Ski fest was awesome :D, the best one yet, even had new snow to ski. Not only was it the perfect time, weather wise, for our annual outing, but it just happend to fall on a birthday weekend for me ;D. Thanks to all of you for the birthday wishes, cards, cakes and candles, birthday "stashes" and even the birthday song. Just goes to show, that you don't have to go very far to have
There is a way down from Colchuck Lake to the valley bottom that is pretty good skiing on open chutes in the trees. Further skier's right than the trail. Watch out for cliffs though. Maybe it's already too melted out.
We spltboarded the Colchuck glacier on Sunday, 4/30. The upper steep section was nasty wet slide debris, but we still had a good time. We camped at the lake on Saturday and hung out in the tent during the little storm that blew through in the evening. There was a solid freeze overnight, so we cramponed/ice axed up to the col around 9:30, had lunch and descended around 1. Probably should have waited; the nasty debris on the steepish roll over was very firm. We made some turns here and there,...
So that explains the tracks coming up from the creek! One of our party started to follow them on our way down yesterday. We missed the spot where you started skinning up steeply towards the summit, so did a slightly longer approach traversing under the summit and coming up on the Navaho Pass side. But we followed your more direct line down, for a fabulous run.
The snow is melting fast on the road, and we were able to ski less than half of it on our trip out yesterday. But plenty of sn...
The snow is melting fast on the road, and we were able to ski less than half of it on our trip out yesterday. But plenty of sn...
It was a thrill to meet some of you guys and I am very impressed by your climbing and skiing abilities. What a nice day! Isn't it great that Crystal has their restroom open and had tables up there. I don't recall ever seeing those tables before. Anyway, now that we have a new thread here, another link to some video clips: http://www.lawrencetrotter.com/Crystal%20Pics/CrystalFestShots2006.wmv
I hope we get more pics posted here.
I hope we get more pics posted here.
Even thoug the gate is open the road is snowed in at least a mile from mtneer crk trailhead. Hats off to anyone who thinks they can ski anything below colchuck lake. The snow in the trees is pretty lumpy and skinning downhill w tele gear and a 40+ pounds of gear wasnt a option either. We opted not to ski the glacier so we could save wt and optimize chances at summiting. The guys we saw skinning up were actually doing ok I had had enough of the skiis by this pt. IMHO unless you just need to...
I enjoy trail skiing out colchuck as I've done it probably a dozen times, but I'm a sadistic, machonistic skier at times. Another good ski, is to go up dragontail via the west face couloir from the top of the Colchuck Glacier. It makes for a nice moderate ski with a fun traverse from the top to the true summit. That makes for a 5k ski descent or more not even counting the tree or trail skiing :).
Sounds like I missed a good one - from the number of skiers at the tables and skis in the racks, you'd think they had the lifts running!
author=Larry_R link=topic=4595.msg19590#msg19590 date=1146182999]
Gee, forgot to mention staying to the east.
Yes, I think you did forget to mention that! Oh well, it added some spice to the tour. Thanks for the report from the next day, Larry. I find it educational to find out how accurate my guess about the next day's snow conditions actually was (I did pretty well this time).
roald, welcome, and sorry I missed you (though n...
author=ron j link=topic=4618.msg19670#msg19670 date=1146505516]sunshine, food, alcohol, youth, antiquity, athletics, testosterone, estrogen, non-human beasts, and who knows what else
I'd like to see this list of attributes broken down with names attached.
I think the ski down from Colchuck Col to the lake is well worth the effort. It's a nice sustained 30-ish degree run for ~2000 vf or so. But the trail is pretty lame on skis, its an icy bobsled run through trees... I was there last week and decided to keep my skins on for the descent down the trail.
Nice to hear that the gate is open! But I'm confused, why did you have to hike 8 miles each way if the gate is open?
Nice to hear that the gate is open! But I'm confused, why did you have to hike 8 miles each way if the gate is open?
We missed you, Charles.
I think your young'uns would have enjoyed it, too.
Tom Skoog and his new ski touring partners Steph, and old what-his-name ;)
were having a pretty good time attesting to the quality of the family atmosphere.
I'll try to get more pics up soon.
I think your young'uns would have enjoyed it, too.
Tom Skoog and his new ski touring partners Steph, and old what-his-name ;)
were having a pretty good time attesting to the quality of the family atmosphere.
I'll try to get more pics up soon.
Thanks for the report, I've been waiting to hear the road is open! I have some questions though. Is your route the snow slope between Colchuck and Dragontail which (I think) is commonly referred to as Colchuck Glacier? Why was booting up the couloir preferrable to skiing up? And what about the trail makes it unsuitable for skiing? I've heard it's a bit of a bobsled track, is that the problem?
Thanks,
Peter
Thanks,
Peter
Thanks for the report, Ron. It sounds like another very successful ski party! I had family obligations - our annual Mayday Festival complete with live music and old-tyme maypole dancing - but one of these years...
I don't know - I wonder how your ratio worked out compared to the folks who skied Mailbox this weekend.
::)
Thanks for the report and the opinion on the route - I suspect many of the folks who head up that way are particularly fond of the long hard approaches, so it's good to have a little diversity in the reporting on routes like this...
::)
Thanks for the report and the opinion on the route - I suspect many of the folks who head up that way are particularly fond of the long hard approaches, so it's good to have a little diversity in the reporting on routes like this...
Hey Lowell,
Nice job, you even remembered to bring along that all-important nice weather! ;D Brett & I were talking about how nice it probably was up there yesterday... ...and now we know. I think he knew his old skis were having fun without him!
One minor note of concern for us:
Nice job, you even remembered to bring along that all-important nice weather! ;D Brett & I were talking about how nice it probably was up there yesterday... ...and now we know. I think he knew his old skis were having fun without him!
One minor note of concern for us:
author=Lowell_Skoog link=topic=4615.msg19656#msg19656 date=1146462410]
Back home, Tom said he didn't need to go ski touring...
Nice report, Rombman. Thanks.
I'm glad someone was out doing some serious recon yesterday. That one needs to be skied soon. 8)
I'm glad someone was out doing some serious recon yesterday. That one needs to be skied soon. 8)
Great Story, Lowell,
I agree with Zap, it sounds like you're doing a great job developing a fine trail breaker.
And I think you're right; responses to the fest itself here would be non-productive drift from the more important topic of how to train kids to break trail... no I mean how to teach children to love the backcountry. :)
All joking aside -- you're doing a great job with Tom. It was great to see you and your whole family at the Crystal Fest this year....
I agree with Zap, it sounds like you're doing a great job developing a fine trail breaker.
And I think you're right; responses to the fest itself here would be non-productive drift from the more important topic of how to train kids to break trail... no I mean how to teach children to love the backcountry. :)
All joking aside -- you're doing a great job with Tom. It was great to see you and your whole family at the Crystal Fest this year....
This is very encouraging and a validation of my plan. We have 5 grandsons and from the moment I held them and each time I see them I whisper in their ear:
"It's fun to break trail for Grandpa." Plus "It's fun to carry some of Granpas pack weight".
I'm on plan.
Zap
"It's fun to break trail for Grandpa." Plus "It's fun to carry some of Granpas pack weight".
I'm on plan.
Zap
That's great. What a neat story. Congrats to both you and to Tom. In a few more years, Lowell, Tom will be taking you touring!
Doesn't "pouring rain" give you some extra points to your J-O-M? I am no expert at that (and don't think I wanna be)...but it seems to me that it should ;-)
Very nice report and great photography.
Yes, that initial log crossing is a doosey. We made an attempt at Eldorado just under a year ago and were turned back by rain and super slick conditions in the talus field, etc. But that river crossing was the freakiest part for me. Also that trip was my first introduction to the concept of the "climbers path." More like what's left behind after an old growth fir log travels the path of least resistence down a 40 deg...
Yes, that initial log crossing is a doosey. We made an attempt at Eldorado just under a year ago and were turned back by rain and super slick conditions in the talus field, etc. But that river crossing was the freakiest part for me. Also that trip was my first introduction to the concept of the "climbers path." More like what's left behind after an old growth fir log travels the path of least resistence down a 40 deg...
cass, sweet day, dood! especially the soggy hike down...17.5% on the jom is better than i thought! way to link the patches, just because they're there... ;)
I have skied all of those backcountry destinations and more, but I have to admit that I have no experience with snowboards of any type. I would recomend that you link up with other splitboard enthusiasts, perhaps by advertising at M.E.C or similar outdoor stores. If you would like more info on the local slopes, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bob
Bob
Great trip report and pictures!! You guys hit that place at a perfect time!!
Ethan: If you get the panorama with all summit names on it, post it - would love to see it.
Ethan: If you get the panorama with all summit names on it, post it - would love to see it.
Great shots indeed! This is a great summit - I really like the different gullies you can ski below the summit.
The perspective on your second picture is something I found interesting when climbing there...no way I was thinking that the leftmost summit was the highest until you are much closer...
The perspective on your second picture is something I found interesting when climbing there...no way I was thinking that the leftmost summit was the highest until you are much closer...
Hi telemon,
Sounds like a great trip. How are the descents at Diamond Head? I'm a total newbie to the backcountry and trying to find as much info as possible. I plan on taking a RAC course early next season. I heard there's places to go at Cypress, Seymour, Squamish, etc. I'm curious as to how the terrain's like as I'll be on a splitboard.
Sounds like a great trip. How are the descents at Diamond Head? I'm a total newbie to the backcountry and trying to find as much info as possible. I plan on taking a RAC course early next season. I heard there's places to go at Cypress, Seymour, Squamish, etc. I'm curious as to how the terrain's like as I'll be on a splitboard.
So this explains the tracks I encountered on the ridge to Jolly! If you got a late start, Charles, I am not sure what to call my start…
One comment on the route: I parked the car at Cayuse Horse Camp and more or less followed trail 1307 to the top of the ridge ~ 5600’. I say “more or less” because more than once in the middle of the forest I began to question my commitment to navigating without GPS help. :-[ (Every year my resolve not to buy a GPS unit weakens a bit, nudged along...
One comment on the route: I parked the car at Cayuse Horse Camp and more or less followed trail 1307 to the top of the ridge ~ 5600’. I say “more or less” because more than once in the middle of the forest I began to question my commitment to navigating without GPS help. :-[ (Every year my resolve not to buy a GPS unit weakens a bit, nudged along...
It was great to see you at my campsite Charles. Although the next day was quite beautiful, it remained cloudy till after daylight, so there was no freeze. Nice touring, but no good turns. On the way up the ridge at ~ 5600' Thursday morning, the needles on the fir trees were rimed in a most interesting way.
Unlike the rather amorphous riming you often see after a winter storm, each needle had a knife sharp, wedge shaped bit of ice that extended out as much as a half i...
Unlike the rather amorphous riming you often see after a winter storm, each needle had a knife sharp, wedge shaped bit of ice that extended out as much as a half i...
author=ron j link=topic=4560.msg19518#msg19518 date=1145996231]
I'm still trying to figure out whether I'm insulted or pleased at this implication, Mark.
A properly-conceived trip report will do that: clarify and confuse in equal measure, particularly when delivering insults.
author=ron j link=topic=4560.msg19518#msg19518 date=1145996231]When I figure it out, be prepared that there is...
author=russ link=topic=4573.msg19546#msg19546 date=1146072069]
Larry_R - Thanks for adding the historical notes, I've wondered about how those peaks were named. What about Earl Peak - any info?
Russ, don't know the derivation of Earl, but I'll see if I can find out. I do know that Miller Peak was named after George F. Miller, a Chelan business man. Ahhh --- the only problem is I can't remember how I know. :) ...
author=Charles link=topic=4595.msg19578#msg19578 date=1146174121]
I should have stayed just east of the ridge top around Pt. 5610, but thought I had a better idea and went west, traversing steep slopes that fell down into gullies.
Charles, yo-da-man! :D
Not even sore, just a 'little tired' after umpteen miles and ~6k vertical!? <jaw drops open in awe>
Gee, forgot to mention staying to the east....
Definitely an awesome trip-thanks to all for the good times! The skiing, views, and company were all worth the nice sweat equity :) See many of you this Sunday at Crystal Ski Fest!
~Lara
P.S. (Drew-thanks for finally getting our TR up and running!)
~Lara
P.S. (Drew-thanks for finally getting our TR up and running!)
Great photos, Ethan. Especially enjoyed the panorama.
Great write-up, However it is hard to give this tour justice in plain old words... BTW great Pano-Ramo...E :)
C
C
Pictures here. BTW, if anyone feels like geeking out and naming all the peaks in my ~180 degree panorama shot (save a copy; label peaks in MSPaint or somethin, then mail back to me) that'd be very cool. :D Only ones I can pick out are Glacier Peak, Baker, and Shuksan.
Ethan
Ethan
Best pics of skiing on Pilchuck that I have ever seen. Nicely done!
I found the same conditions near Hurricane Ridge last Saturday. It was on a SE slope in a narrow band around 5000'. The previously mentioned settling gave me pause so I jumped on it and board cut and was satisfied when the snowpack stayed put. Weird to see what I perceived as a layer of AIR under the surface crust.
That is Silver Basin, below Silver King to the SE. We are definitely into spring mode now, chasing just-right sun exposure and temps ala Goldilocks.
author=PeterC link=topic=4575.msg19548#msg19548 date=1146079756]
I wonder if it's a feature unique to the springtime W. Washington snowpack.
Upon reading BigSnow's hypothesis and reflecting further on when I actually saw this before, one climb up the N. Face of Shuksan comes to mind from a couple years ago. We had been enjoying springlike conditions in the weeks leading up to the climb then experienced a rapid return to winter...
Thanks for all the observations and hypotheses. The layer I found was definitely large rounded grains, not faceted crystals and although we were near the top of the ridge, the snowpack was quite deep and we weren't near rocks. The grains were almost spherical and were solid, so I don't think they started life as depth hoar at all. After reviewing Tony Daffern's "Avalanche Safety..." book, I've concluded that these ball bearings were definitely the...