TR Replies
great read, you had my interest piqued with that excellent steely, firm first photo. Thanks for the TR
MRNP has extended the plowing of Paradise Valley Road considerably, way past 4th Xing and around the hairpin, out of sight. And they actually used the groomer attachment to make a very nice surface from 4th Xing up; didn't see how they did below :-) Are they lookilng for an early opening of the Stevens Canyon-PVR complex? NWS says we are do for colder-than-normal weather with above average precipitation (snow).
author=kamtron link=topic=39654.msg159759#msg159759 date=1518380998]
Not sure where that was, because we didn't find it at all. I skied the Chair circumnav (counter-clockwise) for the first time and really enjoyed the tour and ambiance.
I think we leapfrogged with your group up to Chair Peak basin and dropped right behind you towards Snow Lake. One of our party also prereleased on his first turn, then his heel to...
author=dberdinka link=topic=39654.msg159775#msg159775 date=1518408779]
This really captures the spirit of TAY these days ;-)
Frank, you're right. However, at the same time I think Saturday was a fine and safe day to be out.
author=Andrew Carey link=topic=39661.msg159767#msg159767 date=1518394541]
...Last year they started occasionally roughly grading the road down to 4th Xing, much to Vogtski's chagrin--almost impossible for skinny skis when iced up. But it does provide some access for people without snowshoes or skis. Similarly they started grading the road to Myrtle Falls. Give people somewhere to go besides the parking lot...
NPSÂ uses the Pi...
Ha! I did chuckle out loud from that... maybe because I am 32 y/o.
Though I agree completely with your sentiments, I simply can't help myself.
author=kamtron link=topic=39654.msg159759#msg159759 date=1518380998]
It was the busiest day I've ever seen in the backcountry! Lots of big groups enjoying the sun and low avalanche danger. We watched about 9 people descend Kaleetan peak, other folks hit the Holy Diver, saw a skinner to the Slot (bet that was an ice-fest), upper Chair peak basin, climbers plugging up the NE butt, etc.
One day there will be 60+ people touring o...
The Park announced it would be plowing the initial part of PVR & around the Inn from time to time because of ongoing work on the Inn. Plowing the initial part also allows for easier snow removal from the parking lot.
Last year they started occasionally roughly grading the road down to 4th Xing, much to Vogtski's chagrin--almost impossible for skinny skis when iced up. But it does provide some access for people without snowshoes or skis. Similarly they started grading the road...
Last year they started occasionally roughly grading the road down to 4th Xing, much to Vogtski's chagrin--almost impossible for skinny skis when iced up. But it does provide some access for people without snowshoes or skis. Similarly they started grading the road...
My reply button is working now! Thanks to Micah!
I asked the ski patrol about the snowcat activity but they did nt know. There's always a lot of cynical answers but Ive never heard a reason from the Park itself.
I asked the ski patrol about the snowcat activity but they did nt know. There's always a lot of cynical answers but Ive never heard a reason from the Park itself.
I hoped that the Paradise regulars would have insight into all the berm-plowing. Someone really loves driving that snowcat.
author=silaswild link=topic=39654.msg159738#msg159738 date=1518308352]
We heard north facing slopes had a breakable crust at similar elevations.
Not sure where that was, because we didn't find it at all. I skied the Chair circumnav (counter-clockwise) for the first time and really enjoyed the tour and ambiance.
We found a nice 2-4" of fluff-on-crust above roughly 4k that skied nicely on low angle slopes. The main i...
Nice running into you yesterday. I was a part of the party of 3 that met you as we wandered the valley. Some great skiing to be had up there. I posted some photos over on the TAY FB Group.
Big crowds... yeah. The lower Paradise area had crowds like that of a music festival in summer. The crowds on the way to/from Muir were similar to a grocery store at 6 pm on a Friday. Pretty wild.
The upper White Salmon skied like 6 inches of fast powder over a groomer - fast and fun.
Here's Dave dropping in near the top of the White Salmon below Winnie's Slide.
Here's Dave dropping in near the top of the White Salmon below Winnie's Slide.
Damn Silas, ladies and bacon? Sounds like a great day!
Is the CBA looking into having the parking area expanded? Or perhaps work to put in a sno-park. Just a thought...
Hi All,
I called and spoke to the WSDOT Wenatchee office today. They didn't have a clear or ready answer about this, after getting passed around to a few people. Jere (Jerry? Gerry?), the very nice lady who answered the phone is doing more research and will hopefully get back to me shortly. I will pass that on as soon as I hear something more. I think Clevo is basically right in what he says but it would be much better to hear it from the DOT and have a map or a stated policy.
I called and spoke to the WSDOT Wenatchee office today. They didn't have a clear or ready answer about this, after getting passed around to a few people. Jere (Jerry? Gerry?), the very nice lady who answered the phone is doing more research and will hopefully get back to me shortly. I will pass that on as soon as I hear something more. I think Clevo is basically right in what he says but it would be much better to hear it from the DOT and have a map or a stated policy.
It's hard to see people in such terrible conditions. Just wish there was something we could do to help.
author=Kiddch link=topic=39587.msg159545#msg159545 date=1517253320]
I wish it were easier to post pics here, right from my iPhone. But here's one. Run of the day....heck, my life!
Gotta love “runs of your lifeâ€
The parking situation could be moot if the private property everyone passes through to ski here is sold to an owner who does not allow people to cross their property.
For what it's worth, we were parked roughly where clevo points out, albeit probably further west. I'm not claiming I'm in the right, just wish there was a good solution to access the region.
author=AlpineRose link=topic=39603.msg159572#msg159572 date=1517353404]
It seems to me this Jim Hill/Arrowhead access and its parking situation would be a perfect issue for the newly formed CAB to work on. Jim Hill has been a traditional ski touring destination for DECADES, before some TAYers were even born. In my experience, parking was NEVER an issue in the past. Â In recent years, WSDOT has started throwing hissy fits about it. Why now and not before...
author=Blizz Mountain link=topic=39603.msg159571#msg159571 date=1517352526]
...Why doesn't someone get a definitive statement from Wa State Patrol? I'm not volunteering since I don't park there.... but someone with a vested interest should contact Wa State Patrol on what is legal / enforced. It'll save you from tickets / impound, or at least be available as evidence should you get ticketed / towed anyway.
Cal...
It seems to me this Jim Hill/Arrowhead access and its parking situation would be a perfect issue for the newly formed CAB to work on. Jim Hill has been a traditional ski touring destination for DECADES, before some TAYers were even born. In my experience, parking was NEVER an issue in the past. In recent years, WSDOT has started throwing hissy fits about it. Why now and not before?
...Why doesn't someone get a definitive statement from Wa State Patrol? I'm not volunteering since I don't park there.... but someone with a vested interest should contact Wa State Patrol on what is legal / enforced. It'll save you from tickets / impound, or at least be available as evidence should you get ticketed / towed anyway.
As a local, I stand by my statements and will wager that anyone with a ticket/tow story was either in the no parking zone or out on a snowy day with active snow removal.
I will also bet this is mostly a weekend phenomenon when folks get pushed east from Yodelin, Skyline, Smithbrook, etc. due to a lack of parking and copy people who are parked illegally.
I will add the caveat - if WSDOT is plowing (this means if it's snowing), you can't park on anything as close t...
I will also bet this is mostly a weekend phenomenon when folks get pushed east from Yodelin, Skyline, Smithbrook, etc. due to a lack of parking and copy people who are parked illegally.
I will add the caveat - if WSDOT is plowing (this means if it's snowing), you can't park on anything as close t...
There's been off & on problems in the past when folks have parked in the zone west of the gate, tight to the snowbank...where folks think its okay. I'm not sure anyplace near the tunnel vent building is 100% safe anymore. The good ol' days (10 years go) of parking anywhere in the pullout for Arrowhead/Jim Hill are long gone.
Facebook post from winter 2016
https://www.facebook.com/groups/148764008559430/permalink/675207712581721/
"Attention...
Facebook post from winter 2016
https://www.facebook.com/groups/148764008559430/permalink/675207712581721/
"Attention...
author=snoholic link=topic=39603.msg159561#msg159561 date=1517322470]
Bummer about the fuzz. We're you parked at the western pullout(behind the guardrail furthest from H. Creek), or along hwy2, or in the eastern pullout/ventalator access?
This is a perplexing problem that need resolution
After coming out of Henry's Creek multiple times this year, I've seen numerous rigs parked parallel to the northern edge of...
Bummer about the fuzz. We're you parked at the western pullout(behind the guardrail furthest from H. Creek), or along hwy2, or in the eastern pullout/ventalator access?
This is a perplexing problem that need resolution
This is a perplexing problem that need resolution
author=alecapone link=topic=39589.msg159495#msg159495 date=1517080115]
Darn it. I knew you hippies looked familiar. It's them pants! I wish I came up and said hi. We where in the two blue vans just behind you.
Sounds like we had a simular day as far as trenching a skiing track, and getting wet gear.
Heck, I thought about walking over and saying hello but we were anxious to get moving. Would have been...
Hope it's not a no-no, but here's the link to my trip report for the weekend over on the NYSkiBlog. Lots of photos.
http://forum.nyskiblog.com/Whistler-Blackcomb-January-26-28-2018-td4118877.html
http://forum.nyskiblog.com/Whistler-Blackcomb-January-26-28-2018-td4118877.html
Yeah, great area. From Piccolo Peak (inbounds), to Flute Peak (on the Whistler boundary), to Oboe......the Musical Bumps!
I wish it were easier to post pics here! Can't do it from my phone, size limits, ugghhhh!
I wish it were easier to post pics here! Can't do it from my phone, size limits, ugghhhh!
I wish it were easier to post pics here, right from my iPhone. But here's one. Run of the day....heck, my life!
Nice reports, it's interesting to read about that area where most spots have such cool names. Thansks.
I bet the dogs slept good that day Jim!
And you are correct. Not likely to travel smithbrook road solo on any snow day now. Still easy to spread out and find a nice spot to ski.
It might have been possible to ski with a dog, but I was happy not to have mine. Snow was too deep and unconsolidated. It would have been scary. Especially with moving snow. Had her out the day before and it was already an overhead struggle.
And you are correct. Not likely to travel smithbrook road solo on any snow day now. Still easy to spread out and find a nice spot to ski.
It might have been possible to ski with a dog, but I was happy not to have mine. Snow was too deep and unconsolidated. It would have been scary. Especially with moving snow. Had her out the day before and it was already an overhead struggle.
Sounds like a trip my wife and our dogs and I did many moons ago. Dogs were good sports in retrospect. Especially getting up over the Lichtenstep for the bigger one, who I repeatedly helped boost up. It was a day like yesterday (at least where I was yesterday) where it was nuking all day. We appeared to be the only ones up the drainage that day so we had to break trail going back down the road. This was dur...
Darn it. I knew you hippies looked familiar. It's them pants! I wish I came up and said hi. We where in the two blue vans just behind you.
Sounds like we had a simular day as far as trenching a skiing track, and getting wet gear.
My guess on the instability is that there was a brief clearing over night, in between storms. I saw stars and the moon on I think wednessday night? Probably a thin layer of hoar in between layers... super easy to get clean shears, but not...
Sounds like we had a simular day as far as trenching a skiing track, and getting wet gear.
My guess on the instability is that there was a brief clearing over night, in between storms. I saw stars and the moon on I think wednessday night? Probably a thin layer of hoar in between layers... super easy to get clean shears, but not...
thanks the 2 quick beers went to my head - corrected date
Yup. I saw the forecast and the telemetry backed up light winds and a I figured a rating similar to yesterday and knew we had a short window to achieve this, probably before 9 to be sure. Wish I could have stayed up at Alpental afterwards and rode the lifts all day, that would have been super fun too.
Motivated!
Got some turns in for a bit in the start of the storm. Popped a small windslab near treeline on a small N facing convexity. Storming quite hard up there right now. A good day at the resort I'd think.
Got some turns in for a bit in the start of the storm. Popped a small windslab near treeline on a small N facing convexity. Storming quite hard up there right now. A good day at the resort I'd think.
author=christensent link=topic=39506.msg159332#msg159332 date=1516505577]
Was the road actually posted that you need a snopark permit? I went up there some time in December and also parked at the berm a mile or two from the trailhead (pretty crazy it's still there, or maybe even moved higher), grooming had started and it said no wheeled vehicles, but there were zero signs anywhere saying I needed a snopark permit to park. FS website said I'd need one...