TR Replies
Thanks for sharing! Sounds like a great trip, nice and far from anywhere. Huts can make for quite a fun outing.
Good points. I like Sky's analogy. Maybe it's not generational as much as hormonal. Younger skiers may fixate on the most obvious, showy features of the mountain anatomy--cleavage in this case. While older skiers may appreciate more subtle features and roam more widely. ;)
I've never been satisfied by comparisons between skiing and climbing. I think a better analogy is between skiing and mountain biking. Picking your way through marginal terrain seems a lot like "trials"...
I've never been satisfied by comparisons between skiing and climbing. I think a better analogy is between skiing and mountain biking. Picking your way through marginal terrain seems a lot like "trials"...
Phil, your Open Fly Coulior sounds like a pretty nice trip too, and with a little good fortune, the "white room" will be available for a while.
I have to say, I usually stay at home when the avi. forecast mentions considerable, as Joedabaker’s response to the Saminator is suggesting (in that other thread). It’s a good point. I certainly woul...
Good on you for braving the dire forecast - looks like temps stayed low at WA pass on Saturday.
I have to say, I usually stay at home when the avi. forecast mentions considerable, as Joedabaker’s response to the Saminator is suggesting (in that other thread). It’s a good point. I certainly woul...
I'm pretty cautious about wide open steep slopes these days, so I dug a few pits. Where a base existed the 2 feet of new snow had bonded well, there was no slab, and I couldn't get a shear. On the pumice slopes there was 1/2 to 2 feet of fresh snow over rock. No slab layers had formed, and the bed surface is rough, so I don't think there was any noteworthy danger.
If the wind pounded those slopes it could get sketchy in a hurry.
If the wind pounded those slopes it could get sketchy in a hurry.
As always, great trip and report Jeff. I'd have to say that this was some of the wettest backcountry skiing I've ever done. Can't wait for next year.
Very nice! I like some of the photos on your site, especially the ones that show what we weren't able to see all wkend! :-)
Was everything pretty stable?
Was everything pretty stable?
More huts would definitely be appreciated. Perhaps a trans-cascade ski route too (Wapta style)?
Not likely though - I don't think the forest service would be too supportive.
Not likely though - I don't think the forest service would be too supportive.
I'd like to add a few more points.
There is a certain attraction to the improbable. It's more appealing to do something the less likely it seems. Less-than-ski-width skiing certainly falls into this category. That seems to be pretty much how people into hard alpine mixed climbing pick their lines. I don't think that couloir Colin and Dave climbed on Chiwawa helped them move fluidly over rock and ice. But they got up the thing, and they seemed pretty elated.
There is a certain attraction to the improbable. It's more appealing to do something the less likely it seems. Less-than-ski-width skiing certainly falls into this category. That seems to be pretty much how people into hard alpine mixed climbing pick their lines. I don't think that couloir Colin and Dave climbed on Chiwawa helped them move fluidly over rock and ice. But they got up the thing, and they seemed pretty elated.
But still, Lowell, there is a fine aesthetic to the experience of being in a dramatic couloir with cool looking rock walls. And a certain enviable adrenilene rush experienced by the bold adventurers who explore new shots. Both of those, I think, are port of why we paparazzi ooh and aah at reports such as this one.
Don't get me wrong. I'd be lying if I said I'm not sucked into the appeal of the trip at issue. A choke point and a few hop turns in an otherwise sweet 2...
Don't get me wrong. I'd be lying if I said I'm not sucked into the appeal of the trip at issue. A choke point and a few hop turns in an otherwise sweet 2...
Interesting point :)
I'm not sure if maybe you're trying to allude to the larger point of "I'm glad I did that and I don't have to do it again but hey aren't I cool" skiing, versus "I want to go back because those turns were blissful" skiing.
Or maybe this just has to do with tight turns. I'll admit the 30 odd feet of side-stepping wasn't exactly "good skiing" - I wouldn't go back for that. In fact, I probably wouldn't go back...
I'm not sure if maybe you're trying to allude to the larger point of "I'm glad I did that and I don't have to do it again but hey aren't I cool" skiing, versus "I want to go back because those turns were blissful" skiing.
Or maybe this just has to do with tight turns. I'll admit the 30 odd feet of side-stepping wasn't exactly "good skiing" - I wouldn't go back for that. In fact, I probably wouldn't go back...
That looks sweet.
Maybe it's a generational thing...
In various TR's over time, I've been struck by how many folks seem to think tight gullies are good skiing. Phil's picture suggests to me a rope length of side stepping or maybe tip-and-tail-scratching hop turns. It's an interesting setting, and I'm sure it was a fun exploratory adventure, but do you really think this is good skiing? I mean, to each his own, and more power to you if you...
Again thanks to Garth, Mark and Charles! I was thoroughly entertained by the tour and the lunch after. Hope I remember all I learned. :)
For those who were not able to attend, perhaps I could pass along the following: in describing his early morning data gathering before preparing the mountain and avalanche forecasts, Garth mentioned that he routinely checks the TAY trip reports, (as well as the NWAC blog) and that they are quite useful.
A number of questions followed having to...
For those who were not able to attend, perhaps I could pass along the following: in describing his early morning data gathering before preparing the mountain and avalanche forecasts, Garth mentioned that he routinely checks the TAY trip reports, (as well as the NWAC blog) and that they are quite useful.
A number of questions followed having to...
That sounds like a fun day. Nothing beats a soak at Grover's after a long day of skiing!
My wife and I were at Northstar on Friday too. She joined the hoards on the lift slopes while I laid back about 40 km on their nordic trail system. I saw only 8 other skiers all day. It was like having my own private ski area. Now I'm back at the grindstone in Seattle...
My wife and I were at Northstar on Friday too. She joined the hoards on the lift slopes while I laid back about 40 km on their nordic trail system. I saw only 8 other skiers all day. It was like having my own private ski area. Now I'm back at the grindstone in Seattle...
That looks sweet. It would be cool to see some area shots of that side of Hardy and your couloirs. Got any?
Physically I was snaking new wirring through my over-priced turn of the century fixer/dump in Ballard - never let those realitors blind you with the term "good bones". Mentally I was snaking through the new snow that was falling, just praying that I could get out early enough on Sunday to beat the melt. Well, a 4:15 am start from the city and skinning through the area at Steven's by 6:00 am didn't do it. The white room had turned into the mank room, and I mean MANK!...
Folks - I greatly enjoyed the tour, so would be happy to do another in the future. It was good PR for the NWAC too. :) Garth
I can not remember but was one of the subarus white? Figured it was Bill and company. About the 2 guys in the red coats? Maybe one of them was Howard? I recall meeting him up at the summit house a while back and remember him wearing red.
Yeah good call on West Face...shots. ;D I was contemplating going in that direction and doing laps. However my partner forgot that schoeler does not protect you from water being poured on you but neither does much else...
Yeah good call on West Face...shots. ;D I was contemplating going in that direction and doing laps. However my partner forgot that schoeler does not protect you from water being poured on you but neither does much else...
We started to hear avalanches going off all around the valley in the afternoon. Real rippers by the sound. Nick let off a nice sluff in the trees and got sucked into it but survived unscathed.
Do you think all the other skiers were at safer places to ski? Late start on a day where warming and high precip was working it's way in. ??? If I already had 5 grand of vert for the week and I'm hearing avalanches ripping down in the valley I t...
Eric, we must have been two ships passing in the fog.
I was one of the two Subaru cars. We started hiking about 7am. We wanted to get the early start to avoid pending rain and avy conditions. The visability was poor due to the 30-50mph gusts. Skinned up Kelly's and skied West Face-Or..Should I say West Face shots! Then made a move to the Summit. Arrived at about 9:30 to dry out. Some guys in Red outfits skied as we dryed out. Skied into Green Valley bowl-Not as much new due to the wind bl...
I was one of the two Subaru cars. We started hiking about 7am. We wanted to get the early start to avoid pending rain and avy conditions. The visability was poor due to the 30-50mph gusts. Skinned up Kelly's and skied West Face-Or..Should I say West Face shots! Then made a move to the Summit. Arrived at about 9:30 to dry out. Some guys in Red outfits skied as we dryed out. Skied into Green Valley bowl-Not as much new due to the wind bl...
I'm glad to know that someone else was enjoying the same snow we were over at Lake Ann, but I too was wondering where all the skiers were. We had the same WDOT experience on the west side, with the road plowed shut just east of the Blue Lake trail head. The guy who let us out by the Ross Dam trail said he thought he'd be there all night. Impressive.
- Phil
- Phil
I thought my work stinx would be the fattest ski I'd ever want, until I saw those things Zenom was using yesterday. That was some crazy snow. We'll get a spring for sure now though.
Eric, what time did you reach the summit house of REX?
Hey Joe a few minutes after 11.
Rick and I braved it to the summit.
Eric, what time did you reach the summit house of REX?
Thanks to younger legs of the two guys ahead of me the trip up through the very cement like "powder" wasn't bad.
Your welcome RG. You must have been the 4th truck we saw parked. Yup Rick and I braved it to the summit. We got our reward.
Good on you for braving the dire forecast - looks like temps stayed low at WA pass on Saturday. Way to make us all jealous ;)
I've skied a lot of good powder this year, but no days in the "white room" (yet).
I've skied a lot of good powder this year, but no days in the "white room" (yet).
Yep, we did do something exceedingly rare today - we ski toured at Snoqualmie Pass.
I had a great time today! Though I suspect that SStraka will hang up on me the next time I call up and mention getting up for a 'nice' ski tour.
MadDog - we missed ya!
I had a great time today! Though I suspect that SStraka will hang up on me the next time I call up and mention getting up for a 'nice' ski tour.
MadDog - we missed ya!
Thank you Doug for posting a great trip report and pic! Quite possibly the most fun I've ever had skiing in 36 degree rain... Between the historical aspects and vocabulary lessons (palaver anyone?) it was educational on many levels. ;D Once I got home and took a shower (to dry off!) I was happy about the solid exercise this morning. If the judges will award it, I'm willing to split my mank-inspired slow-motion rando-mark turn with the group.
Thanks to Ron, Michael and Do...
Thanks to Ron, Michael and Do...
i think the analogy of "wading through pound cake" was a good one for the conditions we had today at mazama...still the snow coming down will hopefully extend our spring skiing by a few more weeks. (so eventually we'll be able to take advantage of it, right???) the day was fun anyway, perhaps next time we'll actually be able to make some turns! :D
Zenom is right: think concrete! but the conditions were perfect for making one of these:
there's plenty of new snow, for example, here's what it looks like at the Paradise parking lot this morning. Allyson, tdave and i tried to ski the Mazama Ridge area, but found the conditions too difficult -- trail breaking was a chore. we...
there's plenty of new snow, for example, here's what it looks like at the Paradise parking lot this morning. Allyson, tdave and i tried to ski the Mazama Ridge area, but found the conditions too difficult -- trail breaking was a chore. we...
How long were the really tight sections? How would it have been with skis 15 cm longer? ;)
170cm-tight for only two spots of 10 feet or so. Then maybe 300ft of 10-ft wide. So slightly longer skis would have been ok :-)
I might be changing my opinion of the Volkl's. I skied lift-served today at Baker in the heavy deep chopped-up glop, and they performed pretty well. Maybe I just needed to get some mileage on th...
Interestingly we emerged from the forest at Beaver Lake and an abandoned lift station that appears to have once held a cable that crossed over Beaver Lake. Anyone have any historical beta on this little tidbit?
Whew, thank goodness I had Easter plans this weekend ;) but I have riden that horrible Beaver Lake chair lift once in my life and it was the scariest thing I have ever done ever. I don't have any historical...
The gate didn't open until 11:00 am. Is there a phone number to call to find out gate opening times?
Call the main MRNP number: 360-569-2211
Press 1, 1, 2 for road conditions.
The 7am report today says the gate would open at 11am.
SpellCheck... *attrocious grammer*
A nice little piece of irony there, M ;)
A nice little piece of irony there, M ;)
Bris is what I meant and you've uncovered my addiction to SpellCheck - blind corrections of attrocious grammer and language.
--The section above Panorama point proved to be the crux of the route and the Christening (or Brisk?) for our new snowboards--
Not to be picky, but the rite of fore-shortening is called 'bris,' though 'brisk' may be desirable as long as it's accurate.
Le chaim.
Not to be picky, but the rite of fore-shortening is called 'bris,' though 'brisk' may be desirable as long as it's accurate.
Le chaim.
Yes, a big thanks to Garth for leading the tour and Mark for letting us invade his space. I agree with Lowell that it was very useful to see the physical NWAC in operation and no longer have to just imagine what actually goes on there. Seeing Mark field phone calls made me aware what an interactive role the NWAC plays, at least when we are having active weather. The weather sure cooperated, too, giving us much to look at and learn from as Garth walked us through some of the data gathering steps...
I'm the one standing to the right of GregL. Elisa is between Lowell and Garth (just the top of her head).
And btw Karl Malden? Movie-star good looks for sure but Karl Malden?
And btw Karl Malden? Movie-star good looks for sure but Karl Malden?
Here's some more pictures from the event - if you see yourself and I didn't get your name, could you post who you are? Thanks!
In the parking lot: silaswild, markharf, allyson, Mason_White, ? , amy, kam, Sam Avaiusini, ? , Garth Ferber, Amar Andalkar, ? , ? , ? , russ, ? , Larry_R, Charles, Lowell_Skoog
Garth & Mark
In the parking lot: silaswild, markharf, allyson, Mason_White, ? , amy, kam, Sam Avaiusini, ? , Garth Ferber, Amar Andalkar, ? , ? , ? , russ, ? , Larry_R, Charles, Lowell_Skoog
Garth & Mark
Thanks again to Garth, Mark and Charles.
What a day to be there. Very informative.
Keep up the good work.
Eric and Elisa.
What a day to be there. Very informative.
Keep up the good work.
Eric and Elisa.
Mmmm, that doesn't sound promising. Thanks for the information.
I would say no more than 25 degrees on a short slope, maybe 200' long, not far from the ski area boundry. The depth was about 12" from the most recent storm snow, not the 30" from the previous storm last weekend. There was a break across the slope about 30' long. We talked to two ski protrols who indicated that there was alot of movement in the snowpack from recent observations in the Herman saddle area. Enough for me to head to safer terrain.
A fun time: highly informative and highly recommended if the opportunity comes around again. My thanks as well: Garth, for making it possible by, all else aside, standing patiently in the rain while the TAY motorcade filed slowly through the gate; Charles, for providing the organizing principle and the means by which planning could happen; and Mark, for giving up his time, privacy and comfortable chair to serve us for over an hour.
Thanks for the report (although you missed an outstanding visit at NWAC).
Could you be a bit more specific about "20+ degree slopes?" About, for example, how steep these slopes were, and how deep they slid (Within storm snow? Base of storm snow? Into previous snow? Etc.). I'm trying to think constructively about how to spend my tomorrow now that Rt. 20 is out of the running.
Could you be a bit more specific about "20+ degree slopes?" About, for example, how steep these slopes were, and how deep they slid (Within storm snow? Base of storm snow? Into previous snow? Etc.). I'm trying to think constructively about how to spend my tomorrow now that Rt. 20 is out of the running.
In such great snow, it's hard to tell what sensations can be attributed to the skis, but they struck me as shorter and fatter than my Miras (what a surprise!). The shorter length and slightly turned up and rounded tail makes them come around extremely fast. Intial observations lead me to believe that I like their flex more than the Miras. I suspect that the 184 will be a killer all around backcountry setup for me, though for inbound and/or fast cruising the 191 would be more appropriate.
Nice work as usual, Phil. As for skis, might I suggest some nice shiny R:EXs? :D
Thanks to Garth, Mark, Charles, and everybody else who supported the field trip. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the lunch get-together afterward. The avalanche center was pretty much just as I had imagined it. But now I don't have to wonder whether my imagination is correct. I especially appreciated Mark's good natured hand-holding of one of our local ski area operators over the phone. "Don't worry, it shouldn't rain until later this afternoon... Yup, that's what the models say..."...
I do my best GregL impersonation below the summit rime ice.
You've got my stamp of approval, Paul. How did the R:EX's work?
Nice work phil!
How long were the really tight sections? How would it have been with skis 15 cm longer? ;)
I agree on idea of having a website listing all known couloirs in the area, would be a great resource...
How long were the really tight sections? How would it have been with skis 15 cm longer? ;)
I agree on idea of having a website listing all known couloirs in the area, would be a great resource...
we lucked out in Tahoe though, for example seeThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Skip- Re: your video clip commentary: Thanks. Kick me while I'm down (working 60+ hrs this week instead of skiing the ridiculously deep Sierra powder)...you're dead to me, "friend".