TR Replies
author=JibberD link=topic=4483.msg19100#msg19100 date=1144735064]
Thanks to ronj's curiously perceptive eye, I saw my first goat in the wild. Which was timely after reading last week's link to the Wikipedia article on the lifestyle of the mountain goat. This one seemed to really be enjoying that feast of lichen and grass. And seemed completely oblivious to the fact that it was perched on a wet and slick moss covered cliff, a fall fr...
Jason, let me know if you are planning a trip to the area. I wouldn't mind going again with better photography weather while there is still good coverage - it is a very beautiful area. I should have some photos from this trip ready to post by next week.
Hey JibberD - I spent most of the day in a tank-top, but that was 50% because it was warm, and 50% because I was trying to keep up with Peter on the ascent! :)
The snow at the top was pretty good, but as Peter said, it slid easily about 6 inches down. This was similar to last weekend, except the resulting slides moved a lot faster and were somewhat disconcerting. I think we would've backed out of our preferred descent if we didn't have good escape options or if there were notewor...
The snow at the top was pretty good, but as Peter said, it slid easily about 6 inches down. This was similar to last weekend, except the resulting slides moved a lot faster and were somewhat disconcerting. I think we would've backed out of our preferred descent if we didn't have good escape options or if there were notewor...
Hi Silas !
How long are you here in Europe ? I will head down to the Gross Venediger on Thursdaynight and walked up to the first hut by Fridaymorning, April 14th. I will be there with a big group, 10 guys, for a 5 day trip. If there is a chance it would be great to see you again.
Sellrain is another great area. I was there the last weekend by blue sky and sun and 10 inch of powder.
Take care
Matthaeus
How long are you here in Europe ? I will head down to the Gross Venediger on Thursdaynight and walked up to the first hut by Fridaymorning, April 14th. I will be there with a big group, 10 guys, for a 5 day trip. If there is a chance it would be great to see you again.
Sellrain is another great area. I was there the last weekend by blue sky and sun and 10 inch of powder.
Take care
Matthaeus
Absolutely. A "bad day" skiing is still better than most other "good days" in my book.
Even though it wasn't the best Snow day ever, we all had a great time making the most of our lazy day attitude. You just gotta know how take your bushel of lemons and make some good lemonade ;D. A few more pictures here.
When I was in the ramparts this summer I was impressed with the area and had planned on going out there this winter. I never did, but now I may have too this spring. Thanks for the report.
Fun trip on yet another super double-omega secret route to, well, what would have been the goods on a colder day...but to the good times this day. :)
Seems like the more time I spend at Paradise, the bigger it gets.
Thanks to ronj's curiously perceptive eye, I saw my first goat in the wild. Which was timely after reading last week's link to the Wikipedia article on the lifestyle of the mountain goat. This one seemed to really be enjoying that feast of lichen and...
Seems like the more time I spend at Paradise, the bigger it gets.
Thanks to ronj's curiously perceptive eye, I saw my first goat in the wild. Which was timely after reading last week's link to the Wikipedia article on the lifestyle of the mountain goat. This one seemed to really be enjoying that feast of lichen and...
Looks like some nice water skiing. At least that's what we were calling it last weekend up at Snoqualmie where we had conditions that looked much like your photos. Ahh, the inbetween season.
We were on the Paradise Lodge side. Saw your tracks at the end of the day and they looked nice. It was strangely warm yesterday where we were. How about for you guys?
I think I recall Jason once asking me why I go to Paradise so much and not opt for something closer to Seattle. My long winded reply involved elevations, aspects... But now I'm just going to shorten future answers to something like: "It's just a great place, you fill in the blanks as to why."
I think I recall Jason once asking me why I go to Paradise so much and not opt for something closer to Seattle. My long winded reply involved elevations, aspects... But now I'm just going to shorten future answers to something like: "It's just a great place, you fill in the blanks as to why."
All in all, great day despite the conditions. We took the only skiable 400ft on the mountain and harvested as best we could. Nice job on the pics despite the funny looking action models. ;D
Some day we will get our "big day"
Some day we will get our "big day"
Nice, Silas! See if you can pick up some Speck (Austrian version of prosciutto, but leaner and cheaper) that stuff is the sh*t! I don't think you're supposed to bring back meat products, but if you get in the front of the line getting off the plane at customs with a couple hundred people in back of you and don't say anything . . .
Jessica, thanx for taking the pics and writing the tr! Was a bit bummed to see things slide so easily, but regardless our group made the best it. At times lighting was flat but the snow was creamy, non-sticking and carved. Another quick fact: we spent half the time we toured at the mexican eatery. ;D
author=gregL link=topic=4472.msg19069#msg19069 date=1144565673]
The four of you could probably have dug through that slide with avy shovels in less time than that, Jessica! Nice collage, too.
Greg, we actually started digging out the high center. With a shovel in hand, I actually thought about putting on my peeps. That's also about when rangers asked us to clear out and back the car up.
Skipole, the slide was well befor...
Cool photo collage, Jess!
Lara: Happy B-day!
Lara: Happy B-day!
Not clear where the slide was that blocked you. But last Sat. I did Nordic Patrol and the stretch uphill from the Nisqually bridge had blocking avalanches repeatedly. That stretch is just prone to slide. I doubt if it's a matter of bureacracy that slowed the crew in clearing the slide. They are kept very busy this time of year with all the wet snow sloughs and rockfalls. It's a matter of competing priorities.
Nice report, Jessica. Thanks.
and yeah, nice collage.
and yeah, nice collage.
The four of you could probably have dug through that slide with avy shovels in less time than that, Jessica! Nice collage, too.
Happy Birthday, Lara!
Happy Birthday, Lara!
How quickly the snow conditions change around Tahoe! I went up Tallac two days after you were there. The top north-facing bowl had been completely wind scoured with the soft snow between the ski tracks being blown away. The wind was blowing steadily at 50 mph all along the ridgeline and the peak, with gusts going up to 70-80 mph. Even though the views were awesome, we didn't spend more time at the summit than it took to get the skins off and the buckles tightened.&nb...
Thanks, JibberD. It was a pretty long trip and I'm definitely tired today! Yes, it sounds like there probably wasn't much refreezing last night and so I would guess there would be a lot more mush to deal with until it gets colder. Given the deepness of the mush I'd say challenging might be a good description, plus there's the potential for some more serious slide activity given the deepness of the mush I saw (and the debris from warmer days this past week).
Regardi...
Regardi...
Cool pictures Greg and great report!
Silas: have a great trip. i can't wait to see the photos....
15 miles and 4700vf...you're heavy duty Charles!
From the sounds of it, the snow may prove challenging this weekend?
PS. the new software is nice. I haven't explored all the new features yet. I did try the spell check and couldn't get it to go, but I think it has something to do with my pop-up blocking software. Also the program kindly took two years off my age... I especially like that feature ;)
Great report and as always, thanks for the site...
From the sounds of it, the snow may prove challenging this weekend?
PS. the new software is nice. I haven't explored all the new features yet. I did try the spell check and couldn't get it to go, but I think it has something to do with my pop-up blocking software. Also the program kindly took two years off my age... I especially like that feature ;)
Great report and as always, thanks for the site...
The out of control toboggan run down the trail on skis is what makes the whole trip to Colchuck lake worthwhile ;)
Glad you guys had a good trip, I was wondering how the snow was going to hold up after all the sun.
Glad you guys had a good trip, I was wondering how the snow was going to hold up after all the sun.
Nice work, Silas! Hope the info I passed on earlier in winter helped.
Is the Suldenspitze also the Gran Zebru, depending on whether you're Austrian or Italian? Also, did you see any of the WWI relics peeking out of snow?
Looking forward to skiing with yopu this summer...GregLange
Is the Suldenspitze also the Gran Zebru, depending on whether you're Austrian or Italian? Also, did you see any of the WWI relics peeking out of snow?
Looking forward to skiing with yopu this summer...GregLange
Thanks WOZ.
Exploring I will go ;D
Scotsman
Exploring I will go ;D
Scotsman
That is fantastic! Sweet! Congrats on an awesome outing.
Awesome Larry! Looks like you had a beautiful one. And thanks for your tips on cutting the road switchbacks -- I'll be doing that next time.
--Scott
--Scott
When does Chinook Pass usually open? Should it be longer than normal with the deep snowpack?
Great sounding trip, went in to Chinook last Monday as a recon for the annual opening projct and probed 200-250 inches of snowpack in the summit/arch area. (Also managed to ski some sweet powder off of North Side of Yakima Peak.) Just wanted to throw out the usual spring warning about both ski released an explosive control avalanche work to commence in the next couple weeks from the eastside. Also a potential for a minor shot or two to protect road crew clearing Cayuse east and west of SR123 su...
Sweeet line, my god! Kudos for catching it in good conditions and a great descent. Nice pics too!!
Very nice. We were wondering about conditions in the the couloirs while up there last weekend. It sounds like there's some time yet to hit them, skiable snow on the Phantom notwithstanding.
Thanks for the report.
Thanks for the report.
Excellent, Silas! The skiing in Italy was certainly exciting but I think the meals were extreme . . . extremely good.
Would love to see some pictures of the Trab factory when you get them processed.
Would love to see some pictures of the Trab factory when you get them processed.
Excellent! Way to go, Silas.
Did you hire a Guide?
Italy is a lot of fun, my trip to the Dolomiti was probably the best ever using lifts.
It will be great to get more details.
Did you hire a Guide?
Italy is a lot of fun, my trip to the Dolomiti was probably the best ever using lifts.
It will be great to get more details.
;D Awesome trip. I am glad that you have checked it off after wanting it for awhile. Extra props for making the trip solo. Not that a partner would help you make turns, but there is always mental reassurance in having someone who could help or get help if things go badly.
holy crap!
and actually, it looks nice in your photos! (In a "I could ski that in my dreams" sort of way).
and actually, it looks nice in your photos! (In a "I could ski that in my dreams" sort of way).
A few photos are in:
http://backramble.blogspot.com/
http://backramble.blogspot.com/
Here's a good look at the route
http://www.pbase.com/nolock/image/57591368
this has the line drawn in, ski is yellow, rap is blue
http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/503/3988TC.jpg
photo by John Scurlock
http://www.pbase.com/nolock/image/57591368
this has the line drawn in, ski is yellow, rap is blue
http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/503/3988TC.jpg
photo by John Scurlock
The total vert is something near 2,500 or so. Start is a bit below the summit, and about 300' worth of rapping so probably just over 2,000vf of skiing. The couloirs are all fairly similar in vertical, with the bottom (hidden couloir) couloir being maybe slightly longer. They are also fairly consistent in angle at about 40-50ish, with the middle couloir being the steepest, but not by much.
It took about 1.5 hours to ski due to time spent finding decent cracks for rap a...
It took about 1.5 hours to ski due to time spent finding decent cracks for rap a...
Sweet line! Nice job keeping at it. Damn, I was just hoping to climb that later this season. 
Fantastic! A classic.
how many vert were each of the couloirs and roughly how steep? elapsed time car to car? how hard to find entrance from above? how long to ski down?
Jimmy O
how many vert were each of the couloirs and roughly how steep? elapsed time car to car? how hard to find entrance from above? how long to ski down?
Jimmy O
Scotsman,
I don't mind sharing the route. The work is all in the hiking. It essentaily follows the route of the summer trail to Baldy.
We drove nearly to the Dungeness R. trailhead. About a mile or two before the trailhead take forest road spur uphill (right). Continue a couple miles over a very rubble-covered road (high clearance, or lots of rock-chucking by your assistant) to signed "Maynard Burn Trailhead". Follow trail on abandoned...
I don't mind sharing the route. The work is all in the hiking. It essentaily follows the route of the summer trail to Baldy.
We drove nearly to the Dungeness R. trailhead. About a mile or two before the trailhead take forest road spur uphill (right). Continue a couple miles over a very rubble-covered road (high clearance, or lots of rock-chucking by your assistant) to signed "Maynard Burn Trailhead". Follow trail on abandoned...
Regarding mention of the "blue diamond" trail in John's post, I've got to give "kudos" (what exactly IS a kudo?) to garyw and friends (February 26, 2006, Nordic Pass Trail
post) for establishing a really fine route up the hill. The grade is moderate enough for the no-waxers and ascending the impressively open timbered slope to the crest of the ridge near Hyak Lk. is a most esthetically pleasing alternative to skinning against traffic on the downhill runs or riding the chai...
post) for establishing a really fine route up the hill. The grade is moderate enough for the no-waxers and ascending the impressively open timbered slope to the crest of the ridge near Hyak Lk. is a most esthetically pleasing alternative to skinning against traffic on the downhill runs or riding the chai...
... years ago, saw a big slide on Rainier, viewed from Pinnacle Peak area. It was June, a nice sunny day with flash burns. Probably Raniner's Southwest slope.
edit: After looking at a photograph, it appears the slide was on Wilson Glacier.
edit: After looking at a photograph, it appears the slide was on Wilson Glacier.
Maybe I'm naive, but is this kind of danger normal on a south facing slope at the end of March on a warm, sunny morning?
I don't know about "normal," but it happens sometimes. I remember an early spring day many years ago at Lake Ann near Rainy Pass. I started up the sunny south facing slope toward Heather Pass and experienced scary whumping sounds. I switched to the north facing slopes on the other side of the lake and found nice stab...
When we don't get a good freeze thaw.
After some very recent forays into the Olympics, I am a convert to the potential out there. Very interested in your pics, so post them if you can ! Kudos to going off the beaten path. Can you give some more details on your trailhead and route as I'm really interested in more trips into the Olympics.
PM me if you want to keep it private.
Thanks,
The Kilted One ;D
PM me if you want to keep it private.
Thanks,
The Kilted One ;D