TR Replies
Oh the route was fine, another hour or two we'd have been on the summit... but the desire of the group just wasn't there. Still a good ski down the cleaver though.
You guys are just way harder core than us. At least you summitted! Man, that hike is so much better when you can skin the ridge. Dave and I agree on this. Hence, it must be true! ;) I don't think that the glaciers can change so very much in a week, but whatever. I am suck regardless.
I think it's the season for long, stupid carries to snow once a month. Or at least, it's close. November, feel free to stop by!
I think it's the season for long, stupid carries to snow once a month. Or at least, it's close. November, feel free to stop by!
Haha nice... a well coordinated series of posts (reminds me of execs at my company trying to synchronize their emails about re-orgs).
"Crevasses on both the Boulder and Park Glaciers have opened up substantially in the past week, the route above on the Boulder appears to require some lengthy traverses to end-run big cracks,"
Hmm, looks the same as it did last wknd in your pictures :)
"Crevasses on both the Boulder and Park Glaciers have opened up substantially in the past week, the route above on the Boulder appears to require some lengthy traverses to end-run big cracks,"
Hmm, looks the same as it did last wknd in your pictures :)
Check your emails, guys. Amar, is your u.washington account still active?
Here's my short, shoddy TR: http://students.washington.edu/pbelitz/7_12_04_baker/
My photos are here: http://www.neolectric.com/~justin/Baker071204.html
A human snowscraper would have been nice on Monday. ;D
We need to send more boarders up there. If they sideslip the chutes, they'll smooth it out. ;D
I certainly did my part 8)
I feel good that I made the run a little smoother for everyone.
We need to send more boarders up there. If they sideslip the chutes, they'll smooth it out. ;D
Phil, it was nice running into you and Vincent. I had the exact same thought looking up at the chutes from the bottom, "Wow, that would be some run in untracked powder."
It seemed to me as though all the tracks in the chutes Sunday afternoon helped to smooth out the snow. This didn't help much in the bottom parts though.
Running shoes were quite nice on the climb - I wore them to the summit. Back at the car, my partner John remarked how this was the firs...
It seemed to me as though all the tracks in the chutes Sunday afternoon helped to smooth out the snow. This didn't help much in the bottom parts though.
Running shoes were quite nice on the climb - I wore them to the summit. Back at the car, my partner John remarked how this was the firs...
Tony - Good to meet you. That was me who dropped the ski strap. Maybe we'll meet up again and I'll get it back. As the post said, we did find a way to ski most of the way back down - following Skip's tracks. Greg
Skip, Greg, and Tony, It was a great day! Nice to have meet you all. Skip, the photo is exceptional. Especially those turns mid left! Thanks ;D
Philfort like you said it was pretty bumpy. Some sections were better than others for sure. Every now and then I was reminded with ass checks everytime I tried to open up. Was still enjoyable doing hop turns down though. Even though conditions weren't what we had hoped for it was still a blast cause there was nobody else around and I got to share the chute with 4 friends.
Nice report WolfS. Glad you guys had a good one.
In the midst of getting my ass kicked by the moguls and sun cups, I was fantasizing about how awesome it would be crusing down that line in powder... snowmobile in there in mid-winter, and if the stars aligned and you got good safe conditions in the chutes - yowsa, that would be a run of a lifetime...
Greg- Nice meeting you and Dave yesterday. It was such a nice day to be out. By any chance did someone drop a velcro ski strap? Found one just after you guys left, near the top of that small grade.
Jeez I would feel A LOT better if I knew ski patrol was coming to save my butt rather than a bunch of slowshoers! ???
re: Phil--I hear you on the bumpiness factor in the chutes. I couldn't believe how tracked out they were when I was there. My edges were getting airborne pretty consistently. >:( Nevertheless, a good "ski." I can only imagine how nice it would be with untracked corn snow...
re: Phil--I hear you on the bumpiness factor in the chutes. I couldn't believe how tracked out they were when I was there. My edges were getting airborne pretty consistently. >:( Nevertheless, a good "ski." I can only imagine how nice it would be with untracked corn snow...
I was with TMRU for a few years, and they were very against anyone using skis on missions - I guess due to maneuverability issues around rescue scenes. It was snowshoes only. For searches and hasty teams you'd think it would be a good idea though.
I found the bumpy snow in the SW chutes pretty difficult on my snowboard >:( shoulda brought skis...
Also saw sag and snoslut in the parking lot after (and heard a jarvis laugh coming from the trees somewhere), and ran into ph...
I found the bumpy snow in the SW chutes pretty difficult on my snowboard >:( shoulda brought skis...
Also saw sag and snoslut in the parking lot after (and heard a jarvis laugh coming from the trees somewhere), and ran into ph...
It is pretty impressive how quickly the SAR team got together & mobilized. Hats off to all the folks that volunteered their time, even if they were waking me up. Later in the day we crossed paths with the rescuers as they were lowering the injured climber down on a sled with belays. They seemed very well prepared and had a lot of people power. It did get me wondering if skis could be used ski patrol style to get someone out faster in those types of situations. A...
oops, thanks Corey for pointing out I had the wrong date on the TR...guess I shouldn't try writing trip reports before my morning coffee...what day is it?
sorry to hear about the loudspeakers at the parking lot...sounds like there were more than 40 SAR folks involved down there, guess its kind of a big group to organize without a little noise pollution.
sorry to hear about the loudspeakers at the parking lot...sounds like there were more than 40 SAR folks involved down there, guess its kind of a big group to organize without a little noise pollution.
Thanks for the photo! Most fun we had was below the little cornice to the left - very smooth and baked to perfection.
Greg,
Good to meet you yesterday - I have to concur that the upper chute was the best skiing I found yesterday. I caught you and Dave at the base of it:
As for skiing the snowfield, I actually had a great ski down from Camp Muir, save the top 700'. At Muir, I cut skiers right to the SW edge of the snowfield and found myself quite alone coming down the mountain. As I say, the top 700' were too cup...
Good to meet you yesterday - I have to concur that the upper chute was the best skiing I found yesterday. I caught you and Dave at the base of it:
As for skiing the snowfield, I actually had a great ski down from Camp Muir, save the top 700'. At Muir, I cut skiers right to the SW edge of the snowfield and found myself quite alone coming down the mountain. As I say, the top 700' were too cup...
I could be wrong but this might be Rock Moutain in winter. The pic was taken at seventh heaven stevens pass
bear! i wonder if that was the same bear that belonged to the fresh tracks in the mud that we saw just before reaching the car. i wanted a chance to video tape an interview with the bear.
-kam
-kam
We were running down the glacier and it seemed progress was quite good. Somewhere however between the boulders, the steep trail, and the brush, exhaustion set in and we started taking long breaks to recover and dry the feet. We made it out right at dusk, that final bit of 'quite driveable' road seeming MUCH longer than the way in.
I found an alternate descent of the waterfall slabs - walk 'skiers' right around the block, sit down, and slide down a wet slab into a gravelly pocket, which av...
I found an alternate descent of the waterfall slabs - walk 'skiers' right around the block, sit down, and slide down a wet slab into a gravelly pocket, which av...
Kevin and Co.
it sounds like you guys had a wonderful time at the 7800 ft. col, as well as experienced some impressive views.
thanks for sharing your photos. i can't wait to see the rest!
say, exactly what time did you guys exit the woods?
-kam
it sounds like you guys had a wonderful time at the 7800 ft. col, as well as experienced some impressive views.
thanks for sharing your photos. i can't wait to see the rest!
say, exactly what time did you guys exit the woods?
-kam
Even more unsolicited advice:
I would not recommend using the metal toe piece on the tele binding to open glass beer bottles on the summit. The sharp edge of the binding tends to break the lip off the bottle, leaving you straining glass shards out with your teeth, not quite the effect I was looking for........but the beer was good ;D
I would not recommend using the metal toe piece on the tele binding to open glass beer bottles on the summit. The sharp edge of the binding tends to break the lip off the bottle, leaving you straining glass shards out with your teeth, not quite the effect I was looking for........but the beer was good ;D
More unsolicited advice:
Dress appropriately. It's cold waiting at the top and layers will go on. Try to remember to take them off before skiing down. It gets warmer and warmer as you drop. The slope is so relentless that you never get a chance to stop at a "flat spot" to fumble with gear.
Elisa dropped a glove and it tumbled a couple hundred feet down the slope only stopping just out of reach of my ski pole (of course!).
Dress appropriately. It's cold waiting at the top and layers will go on. Try to remember to take them off before skiing down. It gets warmer and warmer as you drop. The slope is so relentless that you never get a chance to stop at a "flat spot" to fumble with gear.
Elisa dropped a glove and it tumbled a couple hundred feet down the slope only stopping just out of reach of my ski pole (of course!).
The brushy Canadian logging roads will quickly be forgotten, but the memories of this incredible place will last for a long time. A stone obelisk at the border marks the transition into the old growth. The trail through the riparian zone of Depot creek valley shows a good history of maintennence over the years - many sawed and notched logs on the trail. Despite numerous awkward clambering over recent blowdowns, and swampy places where the creek is doing its natural meander, a significant portion...
Mmmm, from the pic, it looks like snow covers the cliffs well. A picture is worth a thousand words...or more.
Still good on Monday the 5th!!! Skied down at about 2 after the summit had softened up a bit. I love that run!!! We had to walk were other people had skied through the day before, so the snow is going quickly on the lower slopes. Glad we waited until monday, we only had ~3 dozen people on the mountain with 14 or so skiing the chutes and only one very nice dog.
As for the road back, FS 23 cuts a bit more that an hour off my drive compared to going I-84 to I-5 to Bel...
As for the road back, FS 23 cuts a bit more that an hour off my drive compared to going I-84 to I-5 to Bel...
Yes. I am wickstad and I'm a TAY-aholic. ;D
We did take FS 23 home. The views were worth it. I don't think I drive as fast as most people. Probably took us 5.5hrs to reach Marysville. But I'm glad we did it.
We did take FS 23 home. The views were worth it. I don't think I drive as fast as most people. Probably took us 5.5hrs to reach Marysville. But I'm glad we did it.
Regarding the hand line, we skied the Boulder on June 27th and it was the best way to access the ridge. But I'm gathering from posts (as this was my first time on route) that one can by-pass the rope and climb snow up to the ridge near the toe of the glacier earlier in the season??? That sure would be nice, as we had overnight packs with skis on our backs, and duckbills on our feet.
Hi Wickstad, was that you and your partner from Marysville? Should of brought up TAY while waiting....Did you try FSR 23 back? It took us 5.5 hrs. from T.H. to our door in B'ham!
TeleRoss: Your tales of adventurous exploits have been making me salivate for years! If it's OK to live vicariously thru you, I'll continue to do so. As my kids age (and mine doesn't catch up to me TOO quickly!), I'll follow in a few of your tracks.
As another of my good touring partners sometimes says: "Let's hear it for the spirit of adventure!"
Greg Lange
As another of my good touring partners sometimes says: "Let's hear it for the spirit of adventure!"
Greg Lange
For years I've looked at the photo of the Degenhardt glacier in the Cascade Alpine Guide wondering who was going to get around to skiing it. I figured it had to be on the short list of projects for you and your regular partners in crime. Congrats on that descent!
Nice trip - nice to know about the Depot Creek Approach - we went to Spickard and Redoubt via Perry Creek traversing to Whatcom Pass several years ago. That approach was pretty brutal.
Bill G
Bill G
I personaly did not understand why you lugged in your ladies all that way, with the mileage, brush, down trees, waterfalls, steep terrain, boulders, etc.
You're soooooooo jealous ;D Of course we brought skis; can't pass up that sweet fresh-shucked corn, even if it takes a lot of effort to get to it ;)
Thanks for posting the trip report Paul. John and I enjoyed meeting you and Dave last weekend and I had a great day with you on the NFNWR! It 'made' my trip south this year. John and I had two days on the Snow Dome on Mt. Hood the 27th and 28th. Then hiked up the south side of Mt. Adams and skied from the top and down the SW Chutes on the 30th. Did a trip up to Wenatchee to visit family for three days and then met you and Dave in the parking lot at Killen Creek on t...
What do you mean you didn't bring skis??????
Kam/Cass, why did you bring skis?? I personaly did not understand why you lugged in your ladies all that way, with the mileage, brush, down trees, waterfalls, steep terrain, boulders, etc.
Kam,Cass, and Ryan, nice job on Mount Spickard. Maybe Kevin will write a trip report on our climb of Mount Redoubt altough it didn't involve skis.
BTW, I will post the lyrics to both of my hit songs, "My name is Chris Cass"...
Kam/Cass, why did you bring skis?? I personaly did not understand why you lugged in your ladies all that way, with the mileage, brush, down trees, waterfalls, steep terrain, boulders, etc.
Kam,Cass, and Ryan, nice job on Mount Spickard. Maybe Kevin will write a trip report on our climb of Mount Redoubt altough it didn't involve skis.
BTW, I will post the lyrics to both of my hit songs, "My name is Chris Cass"...
Nice account of the trip Kam! It's definitely an unforgettable approach...I think the scars on my legs from the logs and brush will be lasting for quite awhile....of course the skiing was worth it ;D
A few more photos are posted at:
http://www.cascadesfreak.com/gallery/MtSpickard-July2004
--Chris
A few more photos are posted at:
http://www.cascadesfreak.com/gallery/MtSpickard-July2004
--Chris
And me with a wedding to attend! Alas, we again find all too evident the plight of the tragic hero that is me.
Fantastic report - congrats on the trip.
Fantastic report - congrats on the trip.
Sweet! Spectacular terrain, looks like fun.
Hey Kam - I should have called you...I know you would have torn this route up! ;)
First off, many thanks to Robie for being our tour guide on the mountain and gracious host at his home!
And what a great route - sure the trail hike is a painful way to start off and then eventually end the day, but the Flett and Russell are worth it. Snow conditions were excellent, and the Russell offers an interesting variety of expert faces and rolling terrain (which can be combined in an infinite number of possibilities).
Pics are located here:
http://www.jshefftz.phot...
And what a great route - sure the trail hike is a painful way to start off and then eventually end the day, but the Flett and Russell are worth it. Snow conditions were excellent, and the Russell offers an interesting variety of expert faces and rolling terrain (which can be combined in an infinite number of possibilities).
Pics are located here:
http://www.jshefftz.phot...
What a great outing, as well as an honor to be with Silas to cinch month #81 (or whatever he's up to now)!
Additional pics from me are available at:
jshefftz.photosite.com/2004interglacier
Additional pics from me are available at:
jshefftz.photosite.com/2004interglacier
The first significant snow starts just as you reach below the cliffs south of the pass. It is not continuous until you round the corner to the ridge connecting to Ruth proper. Neither I nor the other skiers skied the snow along the ridge, the bootpath off snow was more efficient than donning skins. So that limits the skiing to the slopes immediately on Ruth. I don't know how long the gullys below the glacier will be continuous for a full descent into the valley.
Nice report, thanks.
Approximately how many miles above the TH did you find snow? (I've been thinking about going up Ruth for a while now...)
Approximately how many miles above the TH did you find snow? (I've been thinking about going up Ruth for a while now...)