TR Replies
Nice pictures you guys! Too bad that Corinne and I could not join you on Saturday - funny though that we ended up doing the exact same trip ;-)
Did I see that right or is Kam really carrying his skis up?? He must be getting really old ;D
Did I see that right or is Kam really carrying his skis up?? He must be getting really old ;D
Do you like your pair, Phil? Are they just another noodley light ski (I already have TM11s and Miras)? Sorry for the thread drift.
I've skied them 5 days so far, on shallow powder (good), chunky powder (ok), corn (ok), breakable crust (poor), slush (poor), hardpack (medicore).
However, today I found conditions where they really shine.
sounds like it was a great day up there! you're lucky you can work it to go during the week too... :)
Sorry to hear about the injury. I remember hobbling out of there with a severely sprained ankle, which was bad enough despite my being able to weight it. I'm glad to hear everything worked out OK.
A fine day to be out the N. Cascades! Glad we found some good corn snow on Madison Ave. to make up for the "survival skiing" on the icy/shaded aspects in the Early Winter's Creek drainage ;)
A couple short video clips (.AVI format) from the trip are
posted here. (as for the image quality, it's not your computer monitor, my camera just sucks ;D though the clarity of the 3...
A couple short video clips (.AVI format) from the trip are
posted here. (as for the image quality, it's not your computer monitor, my camera just sucks ;D though the clarity of the 3...
what an awesome way to spend your b-day, kamo! despite the corn-from-the-freezer like conditions, we had gorgeous weather and great company. and after that last run back to the road, all i can say is, thank god for donuts!! ;)
Aha, the birthday tour actually open for business on my birthday this year! Sorry I couldn't join you all for the opening days off route 20 this year, as I've been down in the the bay area traipsing about the big city and the oak woodlands. Madison avenue looks sweet!
- Kevin
- Kevin
happy b-day Kam, who knew we shared a b-day.
PS: That's impressive you went 9 years before changing skis, Amar! Most people I know can't go 9 months before buying some form of skis, boots or bindings.
Well, I made up for the lengthy hiatus with a sale-inspired buying spree, getting 2 pairs of AT boots in one day a couple weeks ago (Mega-Rides and Adrenalins, the latter to be used primarily as an alpine boot), along with 2 sets of skis over the next week (Volkl AT and alpine setups).
Yo, Kam isn't it your birthday today?
32, Right?
Happy birthday, Dude!!
yes. thanks, Ron! but i'm way older than that ;D. at the very least i feel it..
1) they're expensive ($190 at telemark-pyrenees)
If you paid $190 for the skins, you paid more for the skins then I paid for the Volkl Norbert Joos skis which I got for $150 at Gart sports (they still have a pair for this price as of last night).
I still haven't mounted mine yet as I'm still trying to decide what to do with them. Do you like your pair, Phil? Are they just another noodley light ski (I already have TM11s and Miras)? Sorry for...
Phil, thanks for the detailed info on the skins. I think I'll stick with conventional skins that I can use on several pairs of skis.
As for photos of Dave skiing, I got some decent shots, but somehow none of them ended up with optimal background or lighting.
The route all the way up to Camp Hazar...
As for photos of Dave skiing, I got some decent shots, but somehow none of them ended up with optimal background or lighting.
On a normal snow year would the route up on the glacier be good into early summer? What about crevasses, are they a problem come summer?
The route all the way up to Camp Hazar...
I've got the matching skins for the Volkl skis. I haven't formed a complete opinion about them yet, but I can say:
1) they're expensive ($190 at telemark-pyrenees)
2) they seem flimsy (the attachment and tail clip are cheap-looking plastic - I'm waiting for it to break)
3) they don't glide as well as Ascension's (maybe they just aren't worn in yet)
4) they don't have as much stick as Ascension (easy on the arms)
5) it's nice having a perfect wall-to-wall fit.
6) they are...
1) they're expensive ($190 at telemark-pyrenees)
2) they seem flimsy (the attachment and tail clip are cheap-looking plastic - I'm waiting for it to break)
3) they don't glide as well as Ascension's (maybe they just aren't worn in yet)
4) they don't have as much stick as Ascension (easy on the arms)
5) it's nice having a perfect wall-to-wall fit.
6) they are...
Where's the photo of Dave ripping it up on his snowlerblades? ;D
Or was he going too fast to be photographed? ;)
Or was he going too fast to be photographed? ;)
Hi Larry - thanks for the info on Teanaway snow. It sounds like the season is probably already over for most of the usual trips there. Quite a bit of hiking to get over to north-side snow (and then hiking back again). Discouraging.
sounds like a great trip. I have seen that area many times from Muir and thought it would be a good ski. On a normal snow year
would the route up on the glacier be good into early summer? What about crevasses, are they a problem come summer? Anyway sounds like a great place that i will have to check out sometime and thanks for the report.
Sean
would the route up on the glacier be good into early summer? What about crevasses, are they a problem come summer? Anyway sounds like a great place that i will have to check out sometime and thanks for the report.
Sean
Ron, my new Volkls do have the "Skin Clip" attachment point, but I don't have the matching skins. The folks at Marmot Mountain Works said they don't carry the skins, because they've heard bad things about them. I have no further specifics, and I don't really know where to look at or buy those skins. Anyway, my old tattered 64mm Ascension Clip-Fix skins worked fine on this trip, but I just bought a new set of the 80mm GlideLite STS on sale after reading the very positive A+ review of th...
Nice report, Amar.
Glad to see everybody on the trip got new boards.
So Amar, are your new volk's the ones with the built in skin tip attach point and matching skins? If so how do you like them?
Glad to see everybody on the trip got new boards.
So Amar, are your new volk's the ones with the built in skin tip attach point and matching skins? If so how do you like them?
Yo, Kam isn't it your birthday today?
32, Right?
Happy birthday, Dude!!
32, Right?
Happy birthday, Dude!!
Yes, I must say my new Atomic's rock! This was some of the best skiing I've encountered in a long time, despite the variable snow conditions we had.
Amar: Can you send me a link to your trip report photos?This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Much appreciated.
Amar: Can you send me a link to your trip report photos?
Much appreciated.
Where is the adventure this weekend?
north. hwy20. and most likely involving my birthday suit ;) and our (Kelvin and i) latest home-made skis.
Awesome report Kam.
I have to check that out. I have never been there before.
Where is the adventure this weekend?
I have to check that out. I have never been there before.
Where is the adventure this weekend?
canadians ski sw chutes mar 6.
access as previously described. the road from morrison to cold springs is 3 miles. we stayed on skis the whole time up, with a few dirt patches. a few shortcuts near the end, and ended up bypassing cold springs. estimated extra time though was about 1 hour 10 min.
snow on south climb above 9500' alternated between a foot of windpacked snow on top of water ice (takes screws nicely) and exposed water ice. crampons were mandatory...
access as previously described. the road from morrison to cold springs is 3 miles. we stayed on skis the whole time up, with a few dirt patches. a few shortcuts near the end, and ended up bypassing cold springs. estimated extra time though was about 1 hour 10 min.
snow on south climb above 9500' alternated between a foot of windpacked snow on top of water ice (takes screws nicely) and exposed water ice. crampons were mandatory...
the snowpack on Adams right now resembles that of a normal late May/early June snowpack. it's hard to believe that we're about 2.5-months ahead of schedule. but why complain, especially when the skiing is good? below Kelvin carves corn on our home-made skis, the Kung Paoders:
details
FR 23 is still closed, but you can drive down to Vancouver, cross over...
Allyson I didnt know you advertise for Preperation-H.
;D ;D ;D
That's messed up.
;D ;D ;D
That's messed up.
I think cold springs is about 3 miles by road beyond Morrison Creek campground, but I don't have my maps handy to double-check. It might be faster to follow the summer trail from Morrison for access, but then one risks wasting lots of time negotiating brush/fallen-logs, etc. if the summer trail route isn't followed exactly (whoops ;))
Chris is right it's 3 miles to Cold Springs from Morrison Creek. It seems longer if you are carrying yo...
i've posted more photos click here">. enjoy.
That sounds more like it. Yes there is a lot to do in that compact area and great places to camp as well.
Alan
Alan
Ah, I might know the couloir you're talking about. Starts off very narrow off on the side of a steep bowl, and drops north from the benches to the north of HLP, down to the open basin below? We definitely saw that (skinned right above it on the way back), and it looked good.
The couloir in my photo isn't what we skied - what we skied was much gentler, very slot-like, can't be seen from anywhere really, and faces directly south, is shown as a stream on the map, and drops to the...
The couloir in my photo isn't what we skied - what we skied was much gentler, very slot-like, can't be seen from anywhere really, and faces directly south, is shown as a stream on the map, and drops to the...
After rereading the first post, it occurs to me that we are talking about completely different slopes! What threw me off was in the discussion about not being able to see the Triad till rounding the butress or ridge.
My approach to the area was essentially up the right side of the bit avalanche slope (As you face it). Once onto the flats, the couliour I am talking about is above right. You can's see the Triad or Eldorado until you cross the flats and get over the ridge t...
My approach to the area was essentially up the right side of the bit avalanche slope (As you face it). Once onto the flats, the couliour I am talking about is above right. You can's see the Triad or Eldorado until you cross the flats and get over the ridge t...
I really like those skis on steeps. They edge really nice! ;D
Not sure how you could see a couloir that is east of Sibley pass, from an area west of the Cascade River Road/Hidden Lake Peak road intersection. Maybe we're talking about different couloirs? (You refer to it as short, but it's actually pretty long). Looking at the map, it looks like you could see it from way up Cascade River Road maybe...
When you cross Marble Creek, just before the Hidden Lake Road junction, there is a nice view up to
When you cross Marble Creek, just before the Hidden Lake Road junction, there is a nice view up to
Hi Alan, Darland Mtn. and Ahtanum R. headwaters come down from Klickton divide which hooks up to the Goat Rocks. I have not tried to get into Old Snowy. The FS made the only reasonable approach road a "skier only" trail (NF Tieton). Dogs and sleds tear up set tracks and piss off skiers with their loose dogs, even though technically I AM skiing, on skis, behind the sled. I'm not going to hump my gear that far by myself.
I might go in from Johnson Creek- Ch...
I might go in from Johnson Creek- Ch...
Hey Dave,
You talking about the Blues?
Have you explored any in the Goat Rocks this year?
Alan
You talking about the Blues?
Have you explored any in the Goat Rocks this year?
Alan
Jason,
There is a view of it some distance prior to the intersection of Cascade River road and the road to the trail head. I am not exactly sure where though. What I remember of it (and I have some photos of it from the road) is that you can see the coulouir and Sibley Pass, but foreground hills block the view of HLP. At least in that one view. I'll have to check.
I never got to the West peak of the Triad but it did look inviting. I now have the same s...
There is a view of it some distance prior to the intersection of Cascade River road and the road to the trail head. I am not exactly sure where though. What I remember of it (and I have some photos of it from the road) is that you can see the coulouir and Sibley Pass, but foreground hills block the view of HLP. At least in that one view. I'll have to check.
I never got to the West peak of the Triad but it did look inviting. I now have the same s...
I ended up winning a Mammut hat, backpack, and bunch of schwag ie: stickers, industrial grade de-icer, more stickers.
Bigsnow, that must be a good looking couloir. I never thought of looking at it from cascade river road. Next time I'm heading up it, I'll have to take a gander. Nice job getting out there. I thought it was a great ski and would really make a healthy day with maybe 7k of vert. I plan of getting out there again for sure.
Skykilo,
Actually when I skied it last year there were several spots with rocks sticking out. No real problem, just things to ski around. Also with a little less snow, the slope probably was a little steeper just below those rocks, but just for a turn or two.
I cannot remember when it was I skied that. I tried to look back to see if I posted on that trip, but didn't see anything. I do remember that I headed out there after doing the HLP stuff the weeks befor...
Actually when I skied it last year there were several spots with rocks sticking out. No real problem, just things to ski around. Also with a little less snow, the slope probably was a little steeper just below those rocks, but just for a turn or two.
I cannot remember when it was I skied that. I tried to look back to see if I posted on that trip, but didn't see anything. I do remember that I headed out there after doing the HLP stuff the weeks befor...
Alan,
That bowl sure does look awesome. The couloir had a rock showing in one spot about half the way down it. We easily navigated or jumped over it, but I would imagine that unless we get snow that spot will soon grow. It's nothing that couldn't be scrambled without too much trouble, though.
There's a peak just above the couloir on climber's right that has a skiable ramp to the summit. Peak to creek would be at least a 2,300' descent. It defini...
That bowl sure does look awesome. The couloir had a rock showing in one spot about half the way down it. We easily navigated or jumped over it, but I would imagine that unless we get snow that spot will soon grow. It's nothing that couldn't be scrambled without too much trouble, though.
There's a peak just above the couloir on climber's right that has a skiable ramp to the summit. Peak to creek would be at least a 2,300' descent. It defini...
The West peak "Bowl" area sure is a beautiful ski spot. I "discovered" it for the first time last year, as a spot that just stood out on the topo maps as great ski terrrain. Didn't get as far as the West peak though, too distracted by the other terrrain. It did look inviting. That is, everything other than what you show in your route photo!
A point of interest is that that 30ish degree coulour just east of Sibley pass is plainly visible fr...
A point of interest is that that 30ish degree coulour just east of Sibley pass is plainly visible fr...
Glad to hear that you had a great time and good snow. It's out there, you just have to get to it ;D
So, Eric, what cool thing did you win??
I forget to mention that everyone won something.
So, Eric, what cool thing did you win??
FYI-Drove up past Salmon la Sac to Fortune Ck and up north side of Hawkins yesterday with no signs and no problem in 4-R'er; didn't see anybody either. Short ride on Esmeralda. Little snow amounts!
What's your sense of snow conditions now on the rim route? With no significant new snow since your trip, think it's still doable?
Sounds fun Eric, thanks for the report from the land of snow 8)
Nice report. I'm headed down to Reno in two weeks and plan on checking out some of the north-facing slopes around Mt. Rose. Those are my childhood stomping grounds, though I never ventured out onto the steep stuff on my skinny woodies.
Jeff,
The Miras are great for any kind of soft condition. However, over the past year I have found their performance inadequate in icy conditions several times. The TMX's hold a much stronger edge on ice with less chatter. They're also amazing at ripping through crusts and chunky snow.
So there you have it. Now if it would dump five feet, you'd see me choosing the lighter Miras to keep me breaking trail with less fatigue...
Dynafits all around...
The Miras are great for any kind of soft condition. However, over the past year I have found their performance inadequate in icy conditions several times. The TMX's hold a much stronger edge on ice with less chatter. They're also amazing at ripping through crusts and chunky snow.
So there you have it. Now if it would dump five feet, you'd see me choosing the lighter Miras to keep me breaking trail with less fatigue...
Dynafits all around...
Yeah, agree that we need to follow the posted signs, but that doesn't mean we need to just accept 'em w/o firing off some missives to USFS. Some of these closures make no sense. To wit (from access pages linkable from this very site):
North Fork Teanaway Road #9737 is closed at 29 Pines Campground, there is bare road due to private timber company winter logging activities for 1-2 miles, very muddy, snow and ice beyond.
... so ... the rationale f...
North Fork Teanaway Road #9737 is closed at 29 Pines Campground, there is bare road due to private timber company winter logging activities for 1-2 miles, very muddy, snow and ice beyond.
... so ... the rationale f...
I don't know which peak is Magic Mountain. Is that east of Cascade Pass? Anyways, based on what I saw, coverage looked best on Northeast aspects (no afternoon sun) with good coverage down to about 5000 feet and continuously skiable lines down to about 4000 ft. I don't know about the snow surface conditions though. The northwest aspect we skiied was a variable avalanche scoured surface with hard pack, a little ice, and shallow wind deposits. Hope this helps.
Great video and pictures, thanks for sharing the fun. :)