TR Replies
To me, the issue of interest here is not whether or not Snoqualmie Mountain is a "big" mountain, but how each bc skier applies their individual level of cautiousness to their decision making in the mountains. MW88888888 outlined the factors that went into making his decision, and this decision meshed with his level of cautiousness. To me it is useful to learn how other people think about these issues - I believe that this makes me a more independent thinker, not less. Although I will n...
Bill Degenhardt broke his hip in an avalanche on Mt Snoqualmie in 1954. He was one of the most experienced mountaineers of his day. The following page has a photo of the rescue:
http://www.mountaineers.org/nwmj/05/051_Bauer3.html
My brother Gordy and a friend did a dawn patrol on Mt Snoqualmie a few years ago. Conditions were icy and Gordy's friend fell during the descent and was injured. Gordy went for help and even though his friend was almost within shouting distance of the park...
http://www.mountaineers.org/nwmj/05/051_Bauer3.html
My brother Gordy and a friend did a dawn patrol on Mt Snoqualmie a few years ago. Conditions were icy and Gordy's friend fell during the descent and was injured. Gordy went for help and even though his friend was almost within shouting distance of the park...
No way, I hear the hardcore skiers go to Snoqualmie.
Also, hyakbc says that Snoqualmie is no place for beginners (pg 3 or 4?).
http://talk.splitboard.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=1770&start=0
Also, hyakbc says that Snoqualmie is no place for beginners (pg 3 or 4?).
http://talk.splitboard.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=1770&start=0
I think I'm just irritable cause I carried my skis for 30 some odd miles and didn't make a single turn.....hahahahaha.
BUT
We need to keep a perspective on things here. Regardless of your skiing abilities Snoqualmie Mtn is not a big peak nor does it take big cajones to follow someone's skin track to the top of it, especially in beautiful weather and with very low avie risk.
BWTFDIK?
BUT
We need to keep a perspective on things here. Regardless of your skiing abilities Snoqualmie Mtn is not a big peak nor does it take big cajones to follow someone's skin track to the top of it, especially in beautiful weather and with very low avie risk.
BWTFDIK?
Teleross, from all accounts you are a much better skier than I and certainly I have enjoyed many a post reading your comments but I confess a bit of a "ouch" factor in reading some words in your post. These words Perchance obscure some of your seemingly pertinent thoughts and ideas.
Methinks we all take our own track, and it's even better when we get to share them. Your hill is my Mtn. I of course know little and say it poorly.
Methinks we all take our own track, and it's even better when we get to share them. Your hill is my Mtn. I of course know little and say it poorly.
big cajones are an objective hazard.
Big cajones, give me a fucking break dude....It's Snoqualmie Mountain. It's right next to the road. Its 6000' tall. Sure it can kill you but so can just about anything if you're a big enough moron.
Wow-debate-its about time. I've seen some seriously risky behavior posted on TAY that gets nothing but admiration. Its about time safety issues were discussed.
Bummed however to see sarcasm and ridicule appear in the shire. Maybe Snoqualmie ain't so big, but it sure could kill you.
Nice though to finally see more than just envy of someone with big cojones. Good work.
Bummed however to see sarcasm and ridicule appear in the shire. Maybe Snoqualmie ain't so big, but it sure could kill you.
Nice though to finally see more than just envy of someone with big cojones. Good work.
Although what I'm into now is hiking into remote locations, then sleeping all day and then hiking back out.
;)
;)
The point wasn't just to hike our asses in there to drink some whiskey, although that's not such a bad ambition. Screw carrying the skis and climbing gear all the way in there, think of how much tequila and whiskey we could pack in if we left all that worthless stuff at home.
Thanks for the info. Again, nice trip. I really like the pick of the skier and the vally of fog.
Nice pictures and great timing!! Must be pretty cool to have this entire valley to yourselves!
Sounds like you guys go really far for a little bit of fun. Although, getting drunk in the mountains is always fun, for some. I would never travel that far just to have a drink, though. Nice pic of Ragged Ridge. Things look pretty boney up there. Good job...my knees hurt just thinking about your trip.
Yeah, 4 for Sky, which would make that 3 attempts for me...
Man, that's 33 miles in there! At least you took two days this time. Where the heck was that notch anyhow? To the right of where we came up in May?
It must feel good to have that approach down Sky. What is this, number four? Really, why even bother with peaks. It's the valley that offers the real excitement ;)
It must feel good to have that approach down Sky. What is this, number four? Really, why even bother with peaks. It's the valley that offers the real excitement ;)
You can usually avoid the alder altogether if you leave the road at the last hairpin turn (right next to the river).
Hey Sky, You should consider taking the brakes off your Dynafits. If you replaced them with a Lou Dawson leash system you'd save .58 of a lb per pair. Using the adage that a lb on your feet eqauls 5 on your back, that would allow you to bring over 2.5lbs of more 'whisky'!
I'm feeling like I want to go back for more. ???
Wow, you must be becoming hard core or something?
Nice job getting in there, looks like the skiing you had was decent anyway.
I must have some sort of mental illness. Despite the length of our trip (approx. 33 miles roundtrip from our highpoint at the saddle), and the soreness in my knee this AM, I'm feeling like I want to go back for more. ???
These hikes are starting to become a pattern for sure, but good times were had in the N. Cascades ;)
These hikes are starting to become a pattern for sure, but good times were had in the N. Cascades ;)
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the alder :)
thanks for another great trip Paul ! :D
Started skinning up the trail to Cascade Pass for only the beginning and then crawled/slid/pulled through ;) the Alder for a short while before actually heading across and onto the valley floor to skin up what we could then see as the best way to ski down. On the way down we had a nice view of a long thread of snow to take us within 25m of the parking lot so the Alder crawling was much more minimal.
Started skinning up the trail to Cascade Pass for only the beginning and then crawled/slid/pulled through ;) the Alder for a short while before actually heading across and onto the valley floor to skin up what we could then see as the best way to ski down. On the way down we had a nice view of a long thread of snow to take us within 25m of the parking lot so the Alder crawling was much more minimal.
No we didn't go into Boston Basin or summit. We went to Cascade Pass and up Sahale Arm; only followed the summer trail a short distance then made as direct line as possible up the basin to the pass. We considered going up the Boston Basin trail and skiing the Quien Sabe Gl, but opted not to, partly for the reasons you mentioned that its a more difficult approach.
Sorry for the dumb ass post, just trying to picture where you went. The 3 miles to the TH was the same TH that would take you to the Torment-Forbidden travers and or Sharkfin tower? Then you skied from the summit down to Cascade pass and then down the road from Cascade pass? Sorry for this :)
So my Q is, how was it taking the skis up that trail? If it is the same trail I has having a hell of a time in places durring the summer with trees and I was not packing skis.
So my Q is, how was it taking the skis up that trail? If it is the same trail I has having a hell of a time in places durring the summer with trees and I was not packing skis.
Just windpacked, not crusty for the top 500' or so on the glacier where its steeper. Actually soft enough to send down a few small pinwheels. The only real crust we found was coming back down from the pass into the basin. But it was pretty warm at the higher evelations on Sat; I expect it might be different this weekend with the lower freezing levels.
The Park Service could only say that the road was gated but had no info regarding how passable it would be. Thought it would be wor...
The Park Service could only say that the road was gated but had no info regarding how passable it would be. Thought it would be wor...
awesome... I'm suprised you were able to drive that far on the road, I would have expected it was under quite a bit of snow.
was the snow refrozen up high? Sounds like just wind-packed, not sun-crusty?
was the snow refrozen up high? Sounds like just wind-packed, not sun-crusty?
Great picture of the pass with the cloud in the valley!
Nice work! I like to see people that don't ask for beta and just go for it. Good stuff ;D
Great photo Kenji. Glad you had such a good group and got some nice turns despite the approach brush. Sorry I missed joining you.
Glad you could make use of the tracks. I wish I'd have had them so I could hit the summit sooner and the snow when it was better skiing. The number of rocks we hit was a little surprising especially in what appeared to be the more filled in areas. Gave incentive to turn less and point downhill more.
Sounds like the powder nazi was especially crabby.
(I believe he's refering to the rather gullied drainage descending from the basin below Pineapple pass)
What I'm referring to, I think Volken calls "Bryant Peak Couloir". There's no picture of it in his book, but it's an obvious deep cleft in the rocks, with (currently) a very narrow entrance. It's further around the basin, clockwise from Pineapple pass area.
With a lot more snow, looks like this:
http://www.lumenation.com/...
If I had to guess, I'd say 40 degrees, but that's only the 15 ft section right below the entrance. I just side slid through that part. After that, the pitch gradually mellows to about 30 degrees at the bottom.
A couple of us skied the chute Phil is refering to heading up toward Bryant Peak on Sunday morning (I believe he's refering to the rather gullied drainage descending from the basin below Pineapple pass). After Saturday's sun and warmth, our thinking was exactly that--look for north-facing shade. But, still no powder. The snow we found felt as if it had warmed up and then cooled and consolidated slightly, although not as much as an aspect in direct sunlight. It felt...
We went up there with a group of friends on Sunday - thanks for the great tracks ;-) !
Great day in the mountains, though snow coverage was lower then expected and the skis got a good base grind on the way down...
Great day in the mountains, though snow coverage was lower then expected and the skis got a good base grind on the way down...
Ahh - somehow I assumed, perhaps from the phrase "the tricky sections near the lower cliffs," that you were on the phantom, but don't know the routes and names on Snoqualmie that well. Still sounds outside my personal solo zone.
Kick ass photos! How steep is the slope at the crux?
Thanks for clarifying, Jim. I think we see eye-to-eye, then.
Just for the record, I did not climb or ski the Phantom. I looked at it, but it wasn't for me. Indeed, I much preferred the trees as the snow quality was best when protected from the winds.
Just for the record, I did not climb or ski the Phantom. I looked at it, but it wasn't for me. Indeed, I much preferred the trees as the snow quality was best when protected from the winds.
Nice photos Jeff. Looks like you had a great day. Thanks for sharing.
username - I certainly took your post in that light. I will admit to feeling at least a teeny bit defensive in response to Paul's post but got over it in a few seconds decided to take it as an opportunity to simply put out a few more thoughts. I like to question the "hah - you're just being overly conservative!" bravado-inspired decision-making in the group dynamic on trips I take, and so carried that spirit to this board as well. I like groups where no one feels berated or somehow les...
We are all like cocaine addicts. " Got to get some powder maaaaan!"
This sport is truly addictive and we are all sick little powder puppies ;D
This sport is truly addictive and we are all sick little powder puppies ;D
I think I know where there was powder - and had I not been on a snowboard (and thus, due to lack of skills, incapable of descending narrow couloirs without side-slipping) I might have suggested the idea on the way out. That narrow chute that rises west of Source Lake towards Bryant Peak. It is
1) shaded from the sun
2) not north-facing
Looked a little thin at the cruxpoint, but - it might have had powder. Might *still* have powder... ???
1) shaded from the sun
2) not north-facing
Looked a little thin at the cruxpoint, but - it might have had powder. Might *still* have powder... ???
For the record I just wanted to say something funny, and have no other reason to respond to this thread, except that MW8's rich prose aroused my imagination.
But I do think that peoples' conception of the avalanche potential at Snoq. Pass was exaggerated during the last system. I know it's been a year or two since we've seen any snow, but just because it snows, does not mean avy potential is high. The amount of snow that fell could have produced dangerous conditi...
But I do think that peoples' conception of the avalanche potential at Snoq. Pass was exaggerated during the last system. I know it's been a year or two since we've seen any snow, but just because it snows, does not mean avy potential is high. The amount of snow that fell could have produced dangerous conditi...
Charles,
It might not be in the interest of the board members to discuss the issues. Those who posted on this topic are experienced enough to make decisions that are independent of the collective thoughts of safety in the backcounrty. Independant thinking is I believe what keeps us from being part of the statistic. Nothing can help the fact that accidents will happen regardless of either experience or wisdom.
Perhaps the message that beginners need to see is not learned here as mu...
It might not be in the interest of the board members to discuss the issues. Those who posted on this topic are experienced enough to make decisions that are independent of the collective thoughts of safety in the backcounrty. Independant thinking is I believe what keeps us from being part of the statistic. Nothing can help the fact that accidents will happen regardless of either experience or wisdom.
Perhaps the message that beginners need to see is not learned here as mu...
good discussion! thanks to all for reviewing the issues i was wondering about after reading this report!
these were the features that jumped out at me after reading MW8888's solo adventure:
snow 4 days old
cold temps
fresh foot on good base
"simply had to go back"
forgot water (coffee)
avalance control in the valley
some evidence of wind activity near summit slopes
"i really should stop doing that"
but it is clear...
these were the features that jumped out at me after reading MW8888's solo adventure:
snow 4 days old
cold temps
fresh foot on good base
"simply had to go back"
forgot water (coffee)
avalance control in the valley
some evidence of wind activity near summit slopes
"i really should stop doing that"
but it is clear...
Thanks for the great report and for making me laugh. If you can't find powder, the next best thing is....humor!
Yes, Charles, I agree, these questions are very helpful for people to ask. I applaud Jim for raising the questions that were in my head as well, because it may not seem like it from my TR, but the decision to go on was a challenging one. I won't go into the details on how I came to accept the challenge and go for it, but I did weigh the risks. I was comfortable with my decision. Still am. I have a two-year-old daughter that needs my support. And dieing in an avalanche is very low on my to-...
It seemed like there was a pretty good discussion going on here, and I'm not sure what the point is of the later sarcastic posts. In his first post Jim raised some good questions. MW88888888 acknowledged this and outlined his thinking. All very useful even if one does not think that a 3000+ foot run qualifies as a big peak, and I don't think that anyone here should have to try to justify raising the questions Jim did. Unfortunately, as we have been recently reminded, people get injured and die p...
I'll just shoulder hop and add on...
So besides what was already said, our crew consisted of Rob, Sergio, Scott, Jerry, Andy and myself. We started skinning from the trailhead by Christine Falls around 9:20. Skinning could best be described as hip rippers. The snow surface in the trees provided some relief while on open slopes, everyone sported snow shackles. The traverse into Comet Falls was interesting. Somebody in our group cut a good track along the steep slope above the river, h...
So besides what was already said, our crew consisted of Rob, Sergio, Scott, Jerry, Andy and myself. We started skinning from the trailhead by Christine Falls around 9:20. Skinning could best be described as hip rippers. The snow surface in the trees provided some relief while on open slopes, everyone sported snow shackles. The traverse into Comet Falls was interesting. Somebody in our group cut a good track along the steep slope above the river, h...
We saw the turns on your upper line while driving to Paradise. It looked sweet.
Nice job!
Nice job!
Hey MW8888, I thought I was THE MAN around here. Welcome to the big boys club, Stanley!