TR Replies
Great trip, folks, and nice photos, Kam. I'm kicking myself now for not heading up there yesterday too, but I just didn't think that the weather would hold (and the Paradise webcams showed clouds and whiteout all day until 7 PM).
I've skied the Fryingpan a few times in fine corn conditions, always in July, it's probably my favorite run below 10K on Rainier. It may be the most scenic too, I love the feeling of being on a high isolated plateau on the upper Fryingpan. I've even experienced...
I've skied the Fryingpan a few times in fine corn conditions, always in July, it's probably my favorite run below 10K on Rainier. It may be the most scenic too, I love the feeling of being on a high isolated plateau on the upper Fryingpan. I've even experienced...
Nice tracks Randy! Not to sound like a broken record, but what time of year in a normal year is current coverage similiar to? Eg, is the coverage similiar to early June, and would likely still be good for another month?
That looks absurdly good! Well done.
To gain the Fryingpan, what slopes above Summerland did you ascend? The bowl south of Meany Crest, or the slopes west of the shelter? Any estimate if this tour will still go in early June?
BTW, Kam, how did you get that shot of Justin with the bent landscape? A Photoshop effect, or some sort of bubble lens?
To gain the Fryingpan, what slopes above Summerland did you ascend? The bowl south of Meany Crest, or the slopes west of the shelter? Any estimate if this tour will still go in early June?
BTW, Kam, how did you get that shot of Justin with the bent landscape? A Photoshop effect, or some sort of bubble lens?
Thanks for the TR Gusk! It was great to see you all up there.
Great pix Kam. What a day! 4000 feet of great corn, definitely my best ski on Rainier.
I now know why this is called the frying pan after looking at my (fried) face today ;)
Great pix Kam. What a day! 4000 feet of great corn, definitely my best ski on Rainier.
I now know why this is called the frying pan after looking at my (fried) face today ;)
Kam er
Thanks for the nice photos and report from the sunny side.
Thanks for the nice photos and report from the sunny side.
Awesome photos Kam! Some real finalists for photos of the year! I love that shot with the lens that bends the landscape on top of Whitman!
That is a great hike. Next time you wander up this way give me a shout and see if I can tag along. I live 30 mins from Frying pan Trail head. Unfortunatly I am nursing a sore knee at the moment and puts me on light duty. >:(
I thought Allyson was a snowboarder-is she pulling a switch?
Joe
That is a great hike. Next time you wander up this way give me a shout and see if I can tag along. I live 30 mins from Frying pan Trail head. Unfortunatly I am nursing a sore knee at the moment and puts me on light duty. >:(
I thought Allyson was a snowboarder-is she pulling a switch?
Joe
Gus and Justin:
it was a nice suprise to see the two of you at the parking area. the Frying Pan was new to me too. it was Paul Russell's idea to go there you know. after looking at the weather forecast, we were prepared to get turned around by rain or a whiteout, but we took the risk of going there anyway. surprisingly, however, the sun was out most of the day. from Whitman knob (9323 ft.) it looked like the sucker hole just lingered over the Frying Pan and Little...
it was a nice suprise to see the two of you at the parking area. the Frying Pan was new to me too. it was Paul Russell's idea to go there you know. after looking at the weather forecast, we were prepared to get turned around by rain or a whiteout, but we took the risk of going there anyway. surprisingly, however, the sun was out most of the day. from Whitman knob (9323 ft.) it looked like the sucker hole just lingered over the Frying Pan and Little...
....The second landing of the faster and younger but not better looking cathes up.....
And who in particular are you calling "not better looking?"
The snow stubbornly stayed hard as we climbed. A small plastic object would have careened seemingly interminably down the glacier unless stopped by some ripple in the snow. Hypothetically, at least.
Yeah, if a hypothetical skier wer...
Great reporting, Pete, and glad to have you back safely (and just in time for next winter's planning). Sounds like huge, endless terrain up there. I'm looking forward to the photos.
Mark
Mark
Thanks for the report Larry (and all of your previous reports too). Glad that you had a Teanaway ski season this year - it doesn't look like I will have one. >:(
Yes, thanks for the detailed report, and looking forward to seeing your photos of what sounds like very impressive terrain.
Hey Pete,
Nice trip! Despite the mix of weather and conditons that you describe, it seems like you got a fair amount done. One tent bound day? that's all? 8)
I am now really excited for trying a trip like this next season.
Welcome back!
Nice trip! Despite the mix of weather and conditons that you describe, it seems like you got a fair amount done. One tent bound day? that's all? 8)
I am now really excited for trying a trip like this next season.
Welcome back!
I'm glad you got out their Pete. Way to bag the peaks also! I'm kind of sad I didn't pull the strings to get out there, but maybe next year. I'm looking forward to the pictures.
I had somehow forgotten that Burgdorfer's book included this route in the current edition, the first edition has the opposite approach from Snowgrass Flats. Thanks for reminding me.
I have the old edition with the Snowgrass approach. That's why inquired about the Johnson Creek road.
Every summer I pull out the old Burgdorfer book and dream of that ski run and have yet to make it happen.
Amar-I see that you and Dave followe...
Yeah Ross, I can only imagine...I found that part quite funny. He's one of the only guys I know that can fall asleep immediately upon sitting down. ;)
We'll see if Jason's got any to add after the Logan expedition.
We'll see if Jason's got any to add after the Logan expedition.
Cyril...
Read the Jack Mtn trip report.....
23 hours straight. Only difference is that that one was my idea...ha ha ha.
That one whooped Sky's ass. He passed out as soon as we reached the car with his headlamp still on and one leg hanging out the door of the truck. Classic!
;)
Read the Jack Mtn trip report.....
23 hours straight. Only difference is that that one was my idea...ha ha ha.
That one whooped Sky's ass. He passed out as soon as we reached the car with his headlamp still on and one leg hanging out the door of the truck. Classic!
;)
sky is very generous. I was pretty scared on the sheets of blue, and ross's whipper was gladly cushioned by the deep pow caking the shelves. If someone other than sky had written this report they surely would have mentioned the 1:30 am departure with a 8:30pm return, with ross and I agreeing that sky's day trips are a little harsh. They led a smooth approach through the creeks and trees at night.
that lower road chokes off in the alder, but puts you on top of a rocky stream that takes you quickly to the river. sky and I were blessed with perfect corn to carve the face that day. the ridge walk from the north to the face is glorious.
Regarding photos in trip reports: I think there are two other solutions which are much better than Biglines.com (or any such site).
One is to just use the free web space which comes with your dial-up or broadband internet connection from home. For example, my comcast.net account (which came free with my cable modem service and which I've never used) includes 25 MB of online storage for web pages or photos. This is enough to store several hundred typical photos (640x480 or 800x600). Anoth...
One is to just use the free web space which comes with your dial-up or broadband internet connection from home. For example, my comcast.net account (which came free with my cable modem service and which I've never used) includes 25 MB of online storage for web pages or photos. This is enough to store several hundred typical photos (640x480 or 800x600). Anoth...
Matt & Toby, I just started using Biglines.com for my trip report photos because the process was easy and I haven't been spammed by them yet. I'm uncertain if they delete photos after a period of time. If so, I still have the original images. Since we've been ski bumming it for two months, I haven't had the time or desire to search for an appropriate photo site. I just wanted a site to use for trip report photos and Biglines.com seems to be aneasy solution. Zap
Wow. I was comparing the photo in Amar's report with the photo in Burgdorfer's book (pg 214). *Quite* the difference in snowpack!
By comparison, here's what the upper basin looked like last year about the same time (May 1)
Scole, I had somehow forgotten that Burgdorfer's book included this route in the current edition, the first edition h...
Joedabaker - Thanks for the kind comments; yeah, I guess you could that very long day trips are the norm for some of this posse.
Scole - I certainly think this is doable as a solo trip. If you've got topo and altimeter in hand, there shouldn't be a problem. Following the trail is pretty straightforward, with the exception of the error that Amar and I had. The signs are relatively easy to spot (eye level in the trees, when you come upon them) which allows you to ge...
Scole - I certainly think this is doable as a solo trip. If you've got topo and altimeter in hand, there shouldn't be a problem. Following the trail is pretty straightforward, with the exception of the error that Amar and I had. The signs are relatively easy to spot (eye level in the trees, when you come upon them) which allows you to ge...
*Quite* the difference in snowpack!
By comparison, here's what the upper basin looked like last year about the same time (May 1)
Thanks Zap. Actually, our original plan was to camp in Sphinx Bay and attempt a few peaks in that area. But when we decided to exit via Brohm Ridge we scrapped the idea of camping there. Maybe next time.
Toby, now that I know which logging roads to take we should have no problem accessing Garibaldi...especially with your truck. I too would like to know how Zap uses Biglines.com to post photos...I didn't think that was possible. I guess the downfall of using Biglines is that they delete th...
Toby, now that I know which logging roads to take we should have no problem accessing Garibaldi...especially with your truck. I too would like to know how Zap uses Biglines.com to post photos...I didn't think that was possible. I guess the downfall of using Biglines is that they delete th...
Wow. I was comparing the photo in Amar's report with the photo in Burgdorfer's book (pg 214). *Quite* the difference in snowpack!
How viable is this as a solo outing? Your trip report (and Burgdorfer's book) make me want to check it out as an overnighter in a few weeks but the instant I read "Glacier", I pause to contemplate..
Nicely done. Should be some freshies coming the next week or so. Skiing should be good this summer!
I did the Snowgrass Flats approach in late June of 2002. We could drive almost to the TH, and the hike in seemed quite reasonable - hit continuous snow part way up as the trail climbed from Goat Creek to Snowgrass Flats. We were staying for 5 days, but still had energy to ski up to the Crest near Ives on the first afternoon (after making camp). We skied a bunch of different runs and found a number of good places to cross the Crest to get to the east side, where the longest runs were. The west si...
One other approach given that the road is clear is the Johnson Creek road to Chambers Lake. Kind of a South approach-just not sure if it would fly and it may be a longer route, but the trail could be clear longer? What mountain is in the backround of the McCall Basin photo? Were you able to sneek a peak into the Packwood Glacier?
Joe, the SW approach from FR 2150 via Snowgrass Flat is the standard route to climb Old Snowy Mtn. It's definitely th...
A very cool and very fun trip 8) What a way to spend your birthday! Thanks to Ron and Jeanette for putting together an awesome package. Great hanging out with you all! Video production is in full swing but with over 125 clips to sort, plus some special segments to create ;) it may be a few days
Nice trip Matt, way to take your time and enjoy it. I look forward to next time when I can join you for the summit of Garabaldi.... I would like to see a picture or two. Post 'em, then tell me how to post pictures, because I still don't know how! I see Zap uses "Big Lines". How does that work?
Amar and Dave-Very impressive trip for a day trip. I guess day trip qualifies in a 24 hr period for you boys.
I am very interested in the route you traveled to Old Snowy. I have had that trail highlighted for some time now as a short approach. Amar-I am really impressed by the details of your adventure and how I could follow it along on my map. One other approach given that the road is clear is the Johnson Creek road to Chambers Lake. Kind of a South approach-just not sure if it would fly an...
I am very interested in the route you traveled to Old Snowy. I have had that trail highlighted for some time now as a short approach. Amar-I am really impressed by the details of your adventure and how I could follow it along on my map. One other approach given that the road is clear is the Johnson Creek road to Chambers Lake. Kind of a South approach-just not sure if it would fly an...
This is the reason our group decided to pass on the final summit pitch. Here is Andrejs having his way with the morning freshies. ;D
You can see more photos HERE. :D 8)
You can see more photos HERE. :D 8)
that was called a 5 minute rest while I returned my phone calls (my best impression of Ben Kaufman), and to check in with the boss to tell him I was going to miss our soccer match!
Amar - Your lack of confidence and endless pessimism are almost funny. Could you give Sky just a few more strokes?? Nobody is carrying me in or out on any given trip, any time.
What the #$%^??? I was almost getting ready to carry you out this time, when you were about to take that nap on the trail . . . ;)
But I was really dead on the drive home, thanks for taking the wheel for the last hour.
Amar - Your lack of confidence and endless pessimism are almost funny. Could you give Sky just a few more strokes?? Nobody is carrying me in or out on any given trip, any time.
Sky: Now you know how Amar really feels about you. 8)
Sky: Now you know how Amar really feels about you. 8)
I think Sky is and will always be the king of torture points. This trip would have been like an easy stroll in the park for him. Maybe if he'd come along he could have just carried us on his Herculean shoulders through all the tough parts. ;D
His plan for tomorrow (today) gives me much to debate the 'torture aspect' of Sky's gluttonous appetite. "Let's meet at 7pm," pretty much puts this one day painfest in perspective.
Congratulations to everyone for pulling this off, and without significant mishap! And thanks for all of the skier/boarder perspectives, photos, and the movie. So, Lowell, will this become an annual tradition? If so, with the success of this one you should probably plan for more racers next year.
Wingnut, thanks for the report, nice work doing the whole circuit in a day.
I'm glad you didn't let the worries about low snow coverage this year (link to earlier thread) discourage you from doing the trip. The scenery is so spectacular that it's always worthwhile.
I'm glad you didn't let the worries about low snow coverage this year (link to earlier thread) discourage you from doing the trip. The scenery is so spectacular that it's always worthwhile.
And way to pull way ahead on the torture points. You'll be hard to catch now ;)
I think Sky is and will always be the king of torture points. This trip would have been like an easy stroll in the park for him. Maybe if he'd come along he could have just carried us on his Herculean shoulders through all the tough parts. ;D
Thanks for the report, Amar - looks like now is the time to go.
...
Thanks to all who attended, for another fun and successful Trip. This was the best group of people we've had in the entire 8 years we've been doing the trip. Everyone was fun, cooperative, congenial, and self sufficient -- not much more to ask for, from an organizer's point of view. It is because of great folks like all of you, that organizing this trip is so much fun.
Should be a lot of links to a lot more fun pics (thanks, Daniel and Mark, for yours) and a viddy...
Should be a lot of links to a lot more fun pics (thanks, Daniel and Mark, for yours) and a viddy...
Thanks for the report, Amar - looks like now is the time to go.
Great report, Amar,
And way to pull way ahead on the torture points. You'll be hard to catch now ;)
And way to pull way ahead on the torture points. You'll be hard to catch now ;)
Zap, I don't know if you've skied it, but Basin Mtn., with it's nice looking couloir from Bishop, is a good ski. It's just up past the Buttermilk Boulders, accessable with a truck, to the snowline. The col at the top of the couloir offers great views and great ideas! Other good skis at the end of the same road are the Wa-hoo Gullies. Enjoy. Oh, a friend just called me from the "tub" and said they skied Mt. Tom yesterday for a 7000' ski !!! I'm jealous.
This brings back good memories. Thanks Amar! Another good run is to go in Conrad Meadows and out McCall Basin.
Nice trip, guys.
Amar, that's a sweet shot of Dave, looking up to Old Snowy.
Dave, rip it up! I dig the R:EX tips. ;D
Amar, that's a sweet shot of Dave, looking up to Old Snowy.
Dave, rip it up! I dig the R:EX tips. ;D
Matt, Sounds like you had a good trip. If you do the traverse again, I would suggest you spend a couple of days in the Sphinx Glacier area plus a day around Black Tusk Meadows and ski the lines on Black Tusk. It's a great addition to the traverse.
Zap
Zap
Mark and Daniel: beautiful photos! i especially liked the images of the morning clouds. thanks for sharing. i can't wait to see photos from the others...