TR Replies
hope they are both doing well, tell Jill we are thinking good thoughts for her.
Sorry to hear about Jill and your friend. I'll send good thoughts for fast healing their way.
Jim - all very valid concerns. Luckily all signals were green or I would have bailed. 1. no water - on wed I needed little b/c of cold. prior knowledge of conditions - green. 2. in avy paths - not really. most of that was all in my head, but tantilizing, isn't it? Skiing isn't gin rummy 3. I'm a pretty safe driver, but being in a car isn't like playing gin rummy either, is it? 4. avy danger looked pretty good when I timed it. again the training run on wed helped a lot in making the decision...
If you're talking about the shoulder on the looker's left, way up above the Phantom, I've been up (and down) that route lots of times. I go up the Snow Lake trail maybe a 1/4 mile and then turn right and basically tour up through the trees all the way to where it opens up around 5k. The bottom part is always the toughest because it's so steep, but then you can just hug the tree line all the way up. It's a good objective if you're not going up to the true summit but want to run laps on the upper...
The Phantom itself has never really concerned me in anything but the most extreme conditions. It's the product of what literally is a hundred-year slide that isn't likely to just happen on some random backcountry day, and it's since grown back enough little trees to provide at least some anchoring.
The upper slopes do make me a little more nervous though, especially when they get a little cliff constrained. While overlooking from Alpy I've been eyeing a line recently that basically goes up th...
The upper slopes do make me a little more nervous though, especially when they get a little cliff constrained. While overlooking from Alpy I've been eyeing a line recently that basically goes up th...
Hmm, if driving your car is this dangerous, I don't want to be your passenger. Lessee - along on avy path during control work w/no water. Poetic words notwithstanding, that seems sketchy.
I've got snow envy. We missed the good stuff on Red Mt.'s west face by about an hour and a half or so. Should've been up before the crack of dawn or bailed early and got it while the getting was good.
Stylish -- glad you didn't get nailed by the Avy barrage.
FWIW -- It's possible to check with the Alpental Ski Patrol about whether they plan to shell Snoqualime Mtn. Probably a generally good idea to meet and greet the Alpental Pro Patrollers anyway if you plan on doing much touring in the Alpental area -- even if you never plan on buying a ticket.
FWIW -- It's possible to check with the Alpental Ski Patrol about whether they plan to shell Snoqualime Mtn. Probably a generally good idea to meet and greet the Alpental Pro Patrollers anyway if you plan on doing much touring in the Alpental area -- even if you never plan on buying a ticket.
Such a wonderfull shot! I love the combination of different layers.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Those are as good as I have ever seen. You should send them into Powder magazine.Great job. ;D
Darn :-(
Maybe splitboard skis will give enough flotation to be safe :D
Maybe splitboard skis will give enough flotation to be safe :D
Snow Lake was kinda partially frozen over, there was a big area of unfrozenness in the middle of the lake.
Have fun.
Have fun.
I'm really surprised no one else has said this yet,
WOW!
That looks awesome, great photos.
WOW!
That looks awesome, great photos.
Hey, Sky
Just wondering if Snow Lake is frozen/snowed over yet ???
Just wondering if Snow Lake is frozen/snowed over yet ???
Glad your ok there Chris ??? I lost contact with my buddy Dan up at Sunrise for a short time in the fog cause my batteries were dead,gets freaky quick. See you soon ....Jerry
Dang Chris, that's scary. Maybe you ought to stick with the Paradise gang for awhile.
Sounds like the chaos bugaboo was out and about in the Steven's backcountry this past weekend (see thread reporting lost gear on Skyline Ridge).
The 2-way radio is a piece of gear that I didn't think much of at first, but have since found that it certainly serves a valuable function in the backcountry.
Glad to hear you're unharmed and wiser. Be sure to share more of the lessons...
Sounds like the chaos bugaboo was out and about in the Steven's backcountry this past weekend (see thread reporting lost gear on Skyline Ridge).
The 2-way radio is a piece of gear that I didn't think much of at first, but have since found that it certainly serves a valuable function in the backcountry.
Glad to hear you're unharmed and wiser. Be sure to share more of the lessons...
I just got done reading an email about a missing boarder at Stevens during the week...
Apparently one of the searchers fell from a chairlift on the way down after the search was over (the missing person was at home the entire time). It sounded like he was, for the most part, fine. Pretty sore though.
nick
Apparently one of the searchers fell from a chairlift on the way down after the search was over (the missing person was at home the entire time). It sounded like he was, for the most part, fine. Pretty sore though.
nick
Damn, Scotty ???
We can't turn our back on you for a minute ;)
I'm sure glad you just took an "E Ticket" ride and not one that hurt you... musta had "shields up", eh? I certainly hope we don't have to cancel our trip to Whistler to stay here on the Enterprise and keep an eye on you ;)
We can't turn our back on you for a minute ;)
I'm sure glad you just took an "E Ticket" ride and not one that hurt you... musta had "shields up", eh? I certainly hope we don't have to cancel our trip to Whistler to stay here on the Enterprise and keep an eye on you ;)
Thanks Mad dog. Learnt some serious lessons like carry a radio, and be sure that everbody in the group understands the proposed descent path and keeps each other in view.
We literally had "powder fever" and the skiing was so good that IMO, we as a group, and especially me, started making poor decisions because we where so amped up and desperate to make another run.
We literally had "powder fever" and the skiing was so good that IMO, we as a group, and especially me, started making poor decisions because we where so amped up and desperate to make another run.
Sky is my personal trail breaking machine hahahahaha
;)
;)
The track stoped about 1,000 vertical feet below the summit.
Ross was nice enough to allow me the privilege of some serious trail breaking to the summit. It sure felt great.
I think the Slot could use another storm or two before it offers the goodness we have all come to know, love and expect. But Ross and I had to do a public service by killing a funky layer before it could get any further with its sinister evolution.
Ross was nice enough to allow me the privilege of some serious trail breaking to the summit. It sure felt great.
I think the Slot could use another storm or two before it offers the goodness we have all come to know, love and expect. But Ross and I had to do a public service by killing a funky layer before it could get any further with its sinister evolution.
My partner and I were going to head up there this past Sunday. When we pulled into the lot we saw what looked like a skin track up the Phantom (snaking around climbers left of the waterfall). This put a smile on my face as I was not looking forward to the long plowing session. While getting ready my partner suddenly exploded into fits of rage...forgot his beacon! We ended up skiing "The Stump" with longing eyes set on Mt. Snoq., Chair, and the Alpental valley. &...
JibberD ,I was in Dutch Harbor, AK talking in a deep voice with rugged fisherman types , most of whom where drunk most of the time. Sorry I couldn't return your call.
I did ski at Steven Pass, Skyline Ridge on Saturday.
Went down the wrong way form the top, triggered a size 1.5 to 2 avalanche, went missing for two hours while I navigated myself down , my ski buddies having reporting me missing to Steven Pass Ski patrol and fearing for my life. An eventful day to say t...
I did ski at Steven Pass, Skyline Ridge on Saturday.
Went down the wrong way form the top, triggered a size 1.5 to 2 avalanche, went missing for two hours while I navigated myself down , my ski buddies having reporting me missing to Steven Pass Ski patrol and fearing for my life. An eventful day to say t...
There was talk recently of hitting it soon - thanks for the report on conditions.
Sounds like you ran into Chris on his scotty bobs. thrashed the resort on fri in big fluffs of pow had to work on the 4th but got back there on sun and mon. the snow is still good but a little set up from the wind on sunday.lots of tracks back there now. Ever do the north face of the southern rim, that's the best shot of all.
Ron, nice shots. That camera of yours is super.
Also, I like your "signature" quote from the Zapster. I'll break trail for you cool cats anytime!! And I'd say it's due.
Missed you at Paradise yesterday, but appreciate the cruiser in you that needs to explore new territory. Nice work.
Also, I like your "signature" quote from the Zapster. I'll break trail for you cool cats anytime!! And I'd say it's due.
Missed you at Paradise yesterday, but appreciate the cruiser in you that needs to explore new territory. Nice work.
The snow did get a little heavier as the day went on. Still pretty good for the pass.
The slopes off of Chair Peak looked skiable. However from past experience the snow pack might be a little low still. You might need to be prepared to hit some rocks.
The slopes off of Chair Peak looked skiable. However from past experience the snow pack might be a little low still. You might need to be prepared to hit some rocks.
We crested Hogsback around 11:00 AM on the 4th. Ran into a 6 pack of boarders and skiers. Skied Hogsback bowl and encountered the light wind crust mentioned by Robie. We then stayed to skiers right at the bench and hit the steeper glades on the backside. The snow had not picked up any of the crust from the easterly flows that were predominant earlier in the week. It was ...bliss. Face shots all the way down.
I see from Telemetry that it warmed up briefly to 34 degrees down at snoqualmie pass on Sunday--was the pow pow becoming heavy?
Monika.
I was up on the Kendall Ridge Clear Cut area yesterday. Snow in the unexpected sun did become "heavier" by mid afternoon, but still quite nice. North facing slopes and shadowed areas were noticably lighter; snow in the treed decent was tasty.
Have fun!
thanks Seth for your info.
I see from Telemetry that it warmed up briefly to 34 degrees down at snoqualmie pass on Sunday--was the pow pow becoming heavy?
I see it's been 33 degrees several hours today. Thinking of skiing over there tomorrow. any thoughts? wonder if Alpental will open their BC tomorrow. How was the coverage farther over skier's left past China bowl in the Chair peak area?
thanks!
I see from Telemetry that it warmed up briefly to 34 degrees down at snoqualmie pass on Sunday--was the pow pow becoming heavy?
I see it's been 33 degrees several hours today. Thinking of skiing over there tomorrow. any thoughts? wonder if Alpental will open their BC tomorrow. How was the coverage farther over skier's left past China bowl in the Chair peak area?
thanks!
Thanks Robie for a great tour of Hogback Mt., with perfect snow conditions!! There are a few photos HERE ;D.
My friends and I were out about Table as well, we might have even bumped into you on the way out. Great conditions all around at Table and on the Arm this weekend.
Yeah, many of us who put in the first uptrack anywhere this weekend experienced more "earn" than "turn". Even at Hyak as late as Sunday afternoon. But it was all good everywhere, so who's complaining.
I think we might have actually crossed the state line into Utah because the snow was just like there ;D.
I didn't think Ron's court mandated ankle bracelet would allow him out of state ;)
I was actually on my way to your "pow pow" when freinds called...we all ended up carpooling to Paradise and expected to see the gang.... Maybe next week.
Did anyone else see or hear any slide activity yesterday?
a late start out of olympia meant a late start out of the parking lot. skinned to Pan Face and then up climbers right in the trees. there was one track in the middle of pan face - but we did not trust the snow pack that had been in the sun.
just below pebble creek, while taking a quick break we noted a solo skier headed east towards the western edge of the Pardise Glacier. she was lucky she took the higher ground. we witnessed a release of an entire slope appox 30- 40...
just below pebble creek, while taking a quick break we noted a solo skier headed east towards the western edge of the Pardise Glacier. she was lucky she took the higher ground. we witnessed a release of an entire slope appox 30- 40...
So where was everybody?
Ron and I had a breakfast pow, pow ;) meeting at the Tall Timbers with Robie. After hearing his stories from the previous day we decided to head back to White Pass for Robie's second helping. I think we might have actually crossed the state line into Utah because the snow was just like there ;D.
I was at Bullion Basin, helping with an Avy feild trip. The snow was awesome!! Glad you got some......Jerry
So where was everybody?
When the snow is good everywhere, no need to drive so far ;-)
Slow traffic all the way to the pass due to snowy weather beginning in Bothell delayed our rendezvous with randonnee, and he kindly waited for us to show up. Fun to meet Ludwig again after a few years, had a citizen senior to him in our group.
Problem areas in the slopes north of Stevens are much fewer after 3+ ft of snow in the past two weeks. Despite large crowds Saturday, many leftovers remained Sunday and the weather was much better, no precip, hazy sun and 2.5 ft powder.
Problem areas in the slopes north of Stevens are much fewer after 3+ ft of snow in the past two weeks. Despite large crowds Saturday, many leftovers remained Sunday and the weather was much better, no precip, hazy sun and 2.5 ft powder.
Sounds (and looks) like the Snoqualmie region too - some greag skiing, some sketchy coverage in places with well-hidden obstacles. We were wallowing a bit on low angle stuff yesterday as well. And the tree wells are man eaters in that early season kind of way too. Lotsa air down there, and they're wider than they seem.
Surf's up!
:D
Surf's up!
:D
Awesome picture! I have always liked how rugged the Olympics look. Maybe with a couple more storms the conditions will be up to par.
nick
nick
You guys almost had company this am as my partner and I drove past silver fir thinking, maybe, maybe. But I feared breaking trail and wanted to take advantage of the track I broke on Friday at Hyak. Sounds like bird-in-hand this year means use the existing track or suffer.
Good work and know your karma will come your way for your good deeds. Come to think of it, we did three laps at Hyak today and honest to goodness here's how it went: we climb to the top in snow, take a run in the sp...
Good work and know your karma will come your way for your good deeds. Come to think of it, we did three laps at Hyak today and honest to goodness here's how it went: we climb to the top in snow, take a run in the sp...
(Just updating the picture links below which someone had mentioned disappeared on this thread - sorry about that, I've had some issues finding a spot to post pictures where the url doesn't change on me.)
It was an amazing day up there. ;D Thanks to those ahead who set perfect skin tracks - tough moving in that much snow!
A picture looking up First Bowl:
Andy:
It was an amazing day up there. ;D Thanks to those ahead who set perfect skin tracks - tough moving in that much snow!
A picture looking up First Bowl:
Andy:
Although I've never been an avalanche patroller, I've been told that bombs that go off in the air are more effective at starting slides than bombs that go off in the snow. Air concussion is more effective than snow concussion. That helps explain why distant bombs are better triggers than you might expect.