TR Replies
During our pit digging two patrollers stopped to talk to us. One of them thought we were out-of-bounds lift riders, the other made courteous but uneventful small talk, and asked us to report our pit results back to them. Again, we appreciate the patrollers well intentions.
I'm not so sure about their intentions after reading this on the Mt Hood Meadows website:
Okay, I've finally got a picture, so here it is. This is the first line we skiied - starting from the ridge in the barely-visible gully (upper left). That's me in the foreground. The second line is about 100 yards to climbers left on the otherside of the big rock in the upper left corner of the photo. Can anyone tell me which one (if any) of those rocks is Boxcar? Still trying to get familiar with the names of things in the Crystal BC.
Well, Zap, sounds like you had another great day in Tahoe. I was eyeing Twin Peaks when I skiied Alpine the day after you and I skiied at Sugar Bowl. Did you access that area from the top of the lifts (Summit Chair I think) or from the road access at the base of Sherwood? We did a hike from Summit Chair out that direction but descedned from the ridge a few hundred yards outside the ski area boundary. You are right - huge cornices up there. Great terrain - both "...
Last wednesday, March 30 was epic. I left the lot around 0630 and did a run under 4 and another to above chair 3. Notice the time on the video capture 1900. The lights are on in town. I don't know who is in the picture. I was the first person up that morning but talked to several others who skied later that day and thursday. I just got back from the Ridge today, I skinned to the top of chair 3 via Castle and down to midway. Pretty good turns first run. I skinned from midway to the top and the ru...
That picture captured on the web cam got me a little interested, I thought it was me but on further investigation I realized I was not up there on the 30th.
I was up there on the Mar 31 and I recall meeting another skier right about where that picture was taken and he said a couple of his friends had been up there yesterday (the 30th) and put down the tracks we were observing.
Anyway, Thurs. Mar 31 was quite a surprise, I was totally blown away with how good the conditions were.
So I...
I was up there on the Mar 31 and I recall meeting another skier right about where that picture was taken and he said a couple of his friends had been up there yesterday (the 30th) and put down the tracks we were observing.
Anyway, Thurs. Mar 31 was quite a surprise, I was totally blown away with how good the conditions were.
So I...
Cool.
My guess is a ski patroller.
The riming indicates treasures ahead.
My guess is a ski patroller.
The riming indicates treasures ahead.
I happened upon the mission ridge cam on 3/30, and saw some guy ripping it up:
Thought it was cool, so I saved it.
Anyone you know? Was it you? :)
Thought it was cool, so I saved it.
Anyone you know? Was it you? :)
Thanks, Eric. That's what I was thinking after my conversation with patrol. I think I'll head up there this morning. If you get over this way again for skiing give me a call- 667-1985. I'll probably ski this weekend if we get some new snow. Saturday looks best, Ridge to River on Sunday and that place will be a zoo. They will close Suilchuck Rd. for a while for the road bike portion too. Have a great week. Aaron
Hey Aaron.
We talked to ski patrol on Sunday. He was the one who phoned the Avalanche Center. I'm still not all too familiar with the names of the runs up there. It was my impression that all control work was inbounds. It might have been no-name chute(?) that ran to the ground by just walking up to it. A couple of skiers were heading up to microwave bowl but I suspect they may have changed their plans.
Eric.
We talked to ski patrol on Sunday. He was the one who phoned the Avalanche Center. I'm still not all too familiar with the names of the runs up there. It was my impression that all control work was inbounds. It might have been no-name chute(?) that ran to the ground by just walking up to it. A couple of skiers were heading up to microwave bowl but I suspect they may have changed their plans.
Eric.
I will probably try to go there (Nordic pass) Saturday with lightweight metal edge fish-scales and just thrash around for entertainment value. This could be the "peaK" snow pack right around now. Email me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is anyone is interested. David
latest: Saturday and Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Snow level 3500 feet.
latest: Saturday and Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Snow level 3500 feet.
Glad to hear you all had a stellar day with the new coverage! Too bad i can't ski multiple places simultaneously. I was at Baker on Sunday having fun exploring in and out of bounds with the girls Allyson, Cinnamon, Kelly and one lucky guy Paul Russell :D .
Nordic pass is around 4000ft.
It's located west and slightly north of Mt Catherine,
Starting at the Hyak ski area and crossing over nordic pass was the traditional route to Silver peak back before the "Nordic Center" was developed.
MAP LINK
It's located west and slightly north of Mt Catherine,
Starting at the Hyak ski area and crossing over nordic pass was the traditional route to Silver peak back before the "Nordic Center" was developed.
MAP LINK
bulion basin follow the main trail when you get to the open area(boulion basin) head left east ne to the top of the ridge from there it is all good the ski out is a litle rough slogging thru the crust but the upper slopes in bulion and cement are fantastic
the view from east peak is one of the best Crystal with Rainier in the back ground
good luck
the view from east peak is one of the best Crystal with Rainier in the back ground
good luck
I was wondering that too...
I'd go with what you are guessing. In normal years, Snoqualmie would have more snow at a given elevation than Silver Creek, 15 miles further east. At 3600-4000' yesterday there was only 6-12" of the new snow, so Nordic Pass should have more, but would it be enough to have a satisfying ski through the forest without a trail? There was the Lodge Lake report from last weekend that indicated that touring through the forest was a...
Okay, we did see your skin track going up Silver Basin. We also saw a couple tracks coming back down. We thought it was just the patroller we heard about at the base when we were talking to the ski patrol. Your route was our original plan, but several in our party (including myself) were nervous about that 3-foot slab layer in the main basin. Sounds like it was okay for you, though.
Sounds like you had a great few days in the Crystal backcountry! Saturday wa...
Sounds like you had a great few days in the Crystal backcountry! Saturday wa...
Darryl, you were just WISHing it was you in that tree well. I've seen both of us enjoy them every bit as much as Jerry was in the viddy.
Gus, the trees are COVERED! Cool, eh?
Jerry keeps threatening to quit doing the viddy's as it is so time consuming to crank them out from the footage of the ski day. I sure hope he never quits, tho; what a great tool to help re-live a stellar ski day... ;D and a Secret Backcountry Handshake to boot! 8) How sweet is that! :D (it was...
Gus, the trees are COVERED! Cool, eh?
Jerry keeps threatening to quit doing the viddy's as it is so time consuming to crank them out from the footage of the ski day. I sure hope he never quits, tho; what a great tool to help re-live a stellar ski day... ;D and a Secret Backcountry Handshake to boot! 8) How sweet is that! :D (it was...
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Those slopes look familiar, but where are all the little trees that were there earlier in the year?
Those slopes look familiar, but where are all the little trees that were there earlier in the year?
I missed Jerry White diving into a tree well?!?!?!? Thank God someone else will be on the blopper film besides me.
Students, don't be fooled. That was the goober handshake and NOT the real SBH.
Students, don't be fooled. That was the goober handshake and NOT the real SBH.
we left the base area @ 7:30 saturday morning cut under 3 way and headed west into silver basin and over the top of the ridge
hour glass is on the northwest side of the King, the talest peak in that area visable from the cambel basin lodge.
on sunday we went into bullion basin and made laps there north facing pitch mid calf and wonderfull
over a 3 day period we skied at least 1 pitch in every aspect and did not get a single release
hour glass is on the northwest side of the King, the talest peak in that area visable from the cambel basin lodge.
on sunday we went into bullion basin and made laps there north facing pitch mid calf and wonderfull
over a 3 day period we skied at least 1 pitch in every aspect and did not get a single release
If we get more snow in the next two weeks, I will. I'm off to Tahoe for some skiing and visiting with bay area folks this coming weekend.
Crystal lakes was great you should of kept going and used our up track we skied a few runs above the lake hiked back to the silver bason ridge then up to the King were hour glass was fantastic
another great day in the BC ;D
Welcome polarhounda. Were you there on Saturday or Sunday? We didn't see anyone else in the area on Saturday, but we could have missed you if you were back near Crystal Lakes. Sounds like maybe there was...
I still can't believe that crust held us up! Definitely nice to Spring Ahead and Fall Back into Winter 8) (14mb video)
Chris: Sorry I didn't catch more footage of you, next time man. Good skiing from all!!
Skifest: Let's do it!!! 8)
PS ---Anyone in the Mountaineers Glacier Travel and Cravasse Rescue class needs to know the SBH (Secret Backcountry Handshake) by this weeks class for the test. (See Video)...
Chris: Sorry I didn't catch more footage of you, next time man. Good skiing from all!!
Skifest: Let's do it!!! 8)
PS ---Anyone in the Mountaineers Glacier Travel and Cravasse Rescue class needs to know the SBH (Secret Backcountry Handshake) by this weeks class for the test. (See Video)...
I was wondering that too...
I'd go with what you are guessing. In normal years, Snoqualmie would have more snow at a given elevation than Silver Creek, 15 miles further east. At 3600-4000' yesterday there was only 6-12" of the new snow, so Nordic Pass should have more, but would it be enough to have a satisfying ski through the forest without a trail? There was the Lodge Lake report from last weekend that indicated that touring through the forest was a challenge, but more snow fell l...
I'd go with what you are guessing. In normal years, Snoqualmie would have more snow at a given elevation than Silver Creek, 15 miles further east. At 3600-4000' yesterday there was only 6-12" of the new snow, so Nordic Pass should have more, but would it be enough to have a satisfying ski through the forest without a trail? There was the Lodge Lake report from last weekend that indicated that touring through the forest was a challenge, but more snow fell l...
Oh yeah, Mike, the coverage... We forgot to mention that.
There's an easy three feet, or more, of snow over the skimpy coverage we were skiing on mid to late march.
Ski pole tests went to the handle on most all aspects. We started out skiing the trees just from the sheer volume of recent snow. As we gained more experience with the snowpack through field testing we realized that the foot or more of consolidated (which fell wet and later got rained on) underneath the 4 to 6 inches of fres...
There's an easy three feet, or more, of snow over the skimpy coverage we were skiing on mid to late march.
Ski pole tests went to the handle on most all aspects. We started out skiing the trees just from the sheer volume of recent snow. As we gained more experience with the snowpack through field testing we realized that the foot or more of consolidated (which fell wet and later got rained on) underneath the 4 to 6 inches of fres...
damnit! I knew we should have gone to Paradise on Sunday. We chose a resort weekend at Mt Baker intead. Pretty fun though. That looks like pretty good coverage - maybe the best I've seen all year - and good snow too. You gotta have a TAY party for sure now.
Crystal lakes was great you should of kept going and used our up track we skied a few runs above the lake hiked back to the silver bason ridge then up to the King were hour glass was fantastic
another great day in the BC ;D
another great day in the BC ;D
It had to be one of the best days yet at Paradise. When we got to the parking lot shortly after 9:00 there were only four other cars there! We seemed to have the whole area to ourselves. With so much new snow and so many places to go, our first run was within 5 minutes of the car ;D We were like a bunch of little kids in a candy store, and wanted all of it. So Ron, Jerry and I scampered off just a little higher and a little farther away from the car to find mo...
I'd been wondering if we'd see a Silver Creek report this season. This is a positive sign, eh?
Charles - do you have any extrapolation for how you think the forest skiing would be up around places such as Nordic Pass? I'm guessing from the telemetry report (calibrated to my own experience) that it is possible but still a bit on the thin side, so more an opportunity for cautious travel rather than the usual carefree turns we'd expect up that way.
Charles - do you have any extrapolation for how you think the forest skiing would be up around places such as Nordic Pass? I'm guessing from the telemetry report (calibrated to my own experience) that it is possible but still a bit on the thin side, so more an opportunity for cautious travel rather than the usual carefree turns we'd expect up that way.
That is near the top speed of the Enterprise. Above warp 10, the Dilithium crystals cannot convert the hyper-plasma into warp energy fast enough which is why you hear Scotty saying all the time, " But , Captian, the Dilithium crystals won't hold out much longer"
Now you know!
Now you know!
Is that fast or slow?
(I'm not enough of a trekkie to know ???)
(I'm not enough of a trekkie to know ???)
Woops, sorry Jerry for calling you Jeff.
Great day.
The only thing as good as a day like that was what my partner , Grant was probably doing and that only lasts a few minutes at my age. ;)
Great day.
The only thing as good as a day like that was what my partner , Grant was probably doing and that only lasts a few minutes at my age. ;)
We crossed Clark Creek on the Newton Crk trail and then headed up the backbone of the ridge. Saw your tracks coming in from Heather and wondered whether that might be the better way.
We did two runs in fantastic "hero" pow before heading down Newton and tagging the trail back to HRM. Great day to be out getting turns!
We did two runs in fantastic "hero" pow before heading down Newton and tagging the trail back to HRM. Great day to be out getting turns!
Great report, Chris.
It was great having you along... and thanks for breaking trail all the way up Bundy's.
And Great Scotty imitation :D... good grins.
("Scotty - you've got to give me WARP 9" [for the movie])
(Oh - and btw, "Jeff" is really Jerry :) )
It was great having you along... and thanks for breaking trail all the way up Bundy's.
And Great Scotty imitation :D... good grins.
("Scotty - you've got to give me WARP 9" [for the movie])
(Oh - and btw, "Jeff" is really Jerry :) )
Very nice. So once up the Heather runout, did you skin up Jill's Woods to access Newton? Did you return back thru Heather, or did you take the Newton runout? See any Sasquatches? ;-)
Eric, Great trip report. 3 way peak area is one of my favorite backcountry tours. It's good to hear that winter has returned to the Cascades. We're still skiing in the Lake Tahoe area which has had spring condtions since Wednesday. !2 to 18" forecast tonight, should be a powder day on Monday and Tuesday.
Zap
Zap
Well I'm glad to know that all those webcams aren't the product of someone playing a nasty trick and there really is snow.
I know - Ann and I have been thinking about getting a digi camera for some time but have been putting it off. Jeff's good pictures must be providing a disincentive to doing so. ;) I actually took a couple pictures of Jeff jumping on the R-block with his camera yesterday but I'm not sure how they came out. Maybe we can get a picture of Jeff skiing today.
As always a nice ski day and picture, Jeff.
As always a nice ski day and picture, Jeff.
Nice, Jeff. Your partners need to get cameras so we can see pictures of you!
Nice report, Mark.
Ditto on the 5 care rule ;D (maybe).
Ditto on the 5 care rule ;D (maybe).
Nice report Mark.
Spicolo, I'm sure Mark's comments re driving were in jest -- well, maybe ;-)
Spicolo, I'm sure Mark's comments re driving were in jest -- well, maybe ;-)
huts are great but at Roger's Pass you gotta stay at the Best Western! It's almost the same price (if you have more than two people) and you get a hot tub. Best of all, you can just walk out the back door and skin up towards Balu Pass.
Hey I'm all for the backcountry and all......I like my time and space just like the next guy. So the next time you apply your 5 car rule....remember....that I like my time and space to get up the road....as well as I like my time and space in the BC. You wouldn't want me to follow your line down mt. herman 2 feet behind you, ready to crash into you at any point, would you?
So, do you need to bring a pad? What about pots? Anything other than food and sleeping bag needed for this hut?
You'll need to bring a pad and sleeping bag. There are not any bunks, you sleep on the floor. We also broght a stove to cook with. You could probably cook on the wood stove in the hut but I wouldn't recomend counting on there being any fire wood, we just used it for melting snow for water. A water filter would be a useful item to al...
First cavers keeping secrets, then skiers! What next, rock climbers? Ha! That will be the day!
I was thereabouts in Jan? I had skiable crust for the main part in the general area.
So, do you need to bring a pad? What about pots? Anything other than food and sleeping bag needed for this hut?
I was thereabouts in Jan? I had skiable crust for the main part in the general area.
So, do you need to bring a pad? What about pots? Anything other than food and sleeping bag needed for this hut?
Glad to hear they got the chair running - as far as grooming goes, I think they're counting on powder-crazed skiers to pack it down . . .
"Chair 2 is looking mighty fine." --Summit Web site today.
I can't imagine it won't be open. See you in line Sat. morning. :D
I can't imagine it won't be open. See you in line Sat. morning. :D