TR Replies
Sort of one thing on the way up and the other on the way down. On the way up, we followed the unnamed creek for a bit, traveling under some mini-cliffs to our left, until in the upper creek area we were able to climb left on moderate 20-25 degree snow slopes, maybe 400-500 vertical feet, up to the edge of Park (west edge). These were a bit steep for the gear Ken and Don had. For the descent, we traveled more to the far north tip of the park, gently descending in open meadows, a...
I'm glad you all got into there while the access is still reasonable. Those were probably our tracks you saw - Andy and I skied there on the 29th.
After Grand Parklet, did you cross the unnamed creek right away and stay on the trail route to the north end of Grand Park, or follow the unnamed creek up toward the west side of Grand Park?
After Grand Parklet, did you cross the unnamed creek right away and stay on the trail route to the north end of Grand Park, or follow the unnamed creek up toward the west side of Grand Park?
Nice trip! You were smart to go during our abnormally nice spring weather - and the snow conditions look like they were great. Andy and I did a five day trip there two years ago, in late June of a good snow year. We came in from the west side - Snowgrass Flats trail - when there was only about a third of a mile road walk. The approach was shorter than the east side approach, and though the coverage around the Goat Rocks was less than what you found, it was still fully adequate. I'd like to get b...
Lucky you! I have wanted to get in there for some time. Anyone interested in the area should check out the exploits of this group:
http://cascadeclassics.org/GoatRocks/GoatRocks.htm
http://cascadeclassics.org/GoatRocks/GoatRocks.htm
I have a question about this route option (I am hoping to get down to Shasta in a couple of weeks). If you go that far W, on W side of Casaval, does that mean that you'd have to climb a bunch of rotten rock etc if you chose to try to go higher than 11000 and towards the summit? Or are there lines between Left of Heart variation and Cascade Gulch that go high on the mountain w/o being interrupted by Casaval Ridge proper and related bands of rotten rock?
Also, every report I've seen r...
Also, every report I've seen r...
Great choice. The terrain surrounding Hidden Valley is varied and uncrowded. Did Mike join you for the trip ?
This trip was fun, even though snow was getting pretty low and the Parklet is melted out. Thank you Charles, for posting your trips here.
Snow conditions: spagnum moss mixed with needles on well-cupped solid base, up to 5100 feet. Above that, an inch of new wet snow on top. Well, probably a day or two old and rained on, but we counted it for fresh and it was a lot better to ski on. The park is Grand. Saw one or two sets of older tracks, one elk, no other humans -- they must have all go...
Snow conditions: spagnum moss mixed with needles on well-cupped solid base, up to 5100 feet. Above that, an inch of new wet snow on top. Well, probably a day or two old and rained on, but we counted it for fresh and it was a lot better to ski on. The park is Grand. Saw one or two sets of older tracks, one elk, no other humans -- they must have all go...
Thanks J.P.-Great info!
Ron -if you guys go out let me know ahead of time, maybe we can hook up. That SE slope J.P.skied facing Owyhigh Lake is grass covered and does not need much coverage to hit it (1300vf from Tamanos to the lake trail)-also the Governors Ridge (Barrier) NW slopes hold snow for some time, although requires additional distance for less vert.
Ron -if you guys go out let me know ahead of time, maybe we can hook up. That SE slope J.P.skied facing Owyhigh Lake is grass covered and does not need much coverage to hit it (1300vf from Tamanos to the lake trail)-also the Governors Ridge (Barrier) NW slopes hold snow for some time, although requires additional distance for less vert.
Yeah, Joe, you nailed it. About right on the pitch angles, too. You're a regular walking encyclopedia of Rainier area ski tours.
I suspect there will be some skiable lines in there for a couple more weeks.
Mark, I suspect the difficulty in pic viewing rests with msn groups, and not with your machine. I suspect msn must use their slowest servers for the groups function.
Try it later, it'll probably work.
Yeah, Kam, I second Jerry, glad you didn't parti...
I suspect there will be some skiable lines in there for a couple more weeks.
Mark, I suspect the difficulty in pic viewing rests with msn groups, and not with your machine. I suspect msn must use their slowest servers for the groups function.
Try it later, it'll probably work.
Yeah, Kam, I second Jerry, glad you didn't parti...
Joe -
Watch a message from me and if you would like I can send you a marginal photo of the NE bowl. From what we could see from the top and bottom, it looked skiable and there is coverage on that side down to the timber line (just above the creek crossing). The middle section appears to be a slightly off fall line couloir that we could not see into and that is where the mystery lies. There was evidence of recent rock fall in the lower bowl.
Not sure of the snow de...
Watch a message from me and if you would like I can send you a marginal photo of the NE bowl. From what we could see from the top and bottom, it looked skiable and there is coverage on that side down to the timber line (just above the creek crossing). The middle section appears to be a slightly off fall line couloir that we could not see into and that is where the mystery lies. There was evidence of recent rock fall in the lower bowl.
Not sure of the snow de...
Turns out the distance from parking to the Cold Springs trailhead was 3 miles. The drifts were fairly thick, so it will be a little while before the road melts out.
Thanks, JP, that info will be helpful for a tour we are considering next week.
Thanks, Mej.
Lots of us watching the Adams reports to try and pick a good time to go. Your info, especially the road access, is very valuable.
Lots of us watching the Adams reports to try and pick a good time to go. Your info, especially the road access, is very valuable.
Ron-My guess would be-What are the N-NW chutes below the Unicorn to Snow Lake? I'm surprised that those chutes still had snow in them. I looked at skiing them about a month ago, but due to time restraints and sloppy boot deep goo they were left to melt away. I figured that by the time the Stevens Canyon road opened those sweet lines would be gone! Great work! What did the pitch-O-meter say how steep those are? My guess was 40 plus degrees and the ones skiers right are maybe 45 plus? Sorry that I...
Great job guys- way to hit that open pitch. That NE pitch would have been tough to pass on. Did you notice on the hike up continuous snow from that NE shot to the valley? About how much snow was on top of Tamanos? Good hiking and fun talking with you last Saturday.
Joe
Joe
Well,another fun trip. I'm amazed at how much enjoyment can be found in a truly crappy day if you just go out there. Thanks again to Ron and Jeanette for the great recon hikes they do each fall to search out the lines we ski each week. Once again it was difficult to get any good shots. What I have are at
Nice pics Ron. Can't wait to see Jerry's. Sure could have used some clippers from the trailhead. Anyway I really enjoyed making turns in zero visibility, boot deep styrofoam powder up top. Couldn't even feel how steep it really was. Below that I could not help but notice, when I stopped after the first traverse, how the slope felt like it was moving down and so did my body. Avalanche? Nope. Oh yeah vertigo. Was an adventure filled with wind, rain, snow, sleet, sun breaks in the distance...
All day long I've sat around wondering who'd be dedicated enough to be out there skiing the slush today, rather than waiting for the sunshine and warm, caressing breezes arriving tomorrow....and now I know the answer. Thanks for the stability testing and the new benchmark phrase: "eclectic weather."
Ron, some of your thumbnails don't open full size for me. Might be one of those Mac vs. PC artifacts.
Ron, some of your thumbnails don't open full size for me. Might be one of those Mac vs. PC artifacts.
Ron,
Nice report and photos, especially the well composed shot of snoslut and the beautiful view :)! The skiing looked pretty fun and I'm glad you guys found stable snow. I was up near Mnt. Roosevelt and witnessed a wet snow avalanche on a 45+ degree NE aspect that ran for 500 ft. or so. The slide generated a lot of noise -- very exciting.
-kam
Nice report and photos, especially the well composed shot of snoslut and the beautiful view :)! The skiing looked pretty fun and I'm glad you guys found stable snow. I was up near Mnt. Roosevelt and witnessed a wet snow avalanche on a 45+ degree NE aspect that ran for 500 ft. or so. The slide generated a lot of noise -- very exciting.
-kam
Nice, Stebbi! Sounds like good 'fun'.
Nice report, Donnelly.
Good to know there's still som skiable snow left on Granite.
Good to know there's still som skiable snow left on Granite.
May 28th, 2004 and there was 3-4" of new snow on Upper International with about one 1" on Lower I. You can still manage to ski a solid 1300 vertical feet before having to take the skis off. Alpental will be good for another week or so.
Way to milk out the last dregs just minutes from the car, Zap.
Thanks for the TR - informative and a good belly laugh. Hey, we've all had such days. My MSR bladder leaked 3L into my pack a few weeks back. At first I thought I was sweating a lot, but eventually I clued in..
I'm aiming for Adams at the next weather window. Looks like this weekend will be similar to the weather you experienced, but a weak high is forecast for early next week. I've got partners for next weekend, but not for a midweek opportunity. Anyone else interested in Tues night thro...
I'm aiming for Adams at the next weather window. Looks like this weekend will be similar to the weather you experienced, but a weak high is forecast for early next week. I've got partners for next weekend, but not for a midweek opportunity. Anyone else interested in Tues night thro...
It was at least a mile, perhaps two before the campground at the end of the road. However with this weather my guess is that this will open up by the second week in June.
A valiant attempt, KD.
Did you happen to notice whether the place you go stuck was before or after Morrison Creek Campground?
Did you happen to notice whether the place you go stuck was before or after Morrison Creek Campground?
Your killing me. I should have been there >:(
Hey, I've only done the C-D three times now, I can certainly do a fourth!
;D
Click ---> ;D<--- for a TR.
ha ha...
Looks like the real Mt. Baker Ski Area is getting lots of love this year...
... Do you think this refers to the West slopes that are above Lake Annette and the Lake Annette trail? Sounds like it does.I think you may be right. When they said they "left the trail at 3400" I was thinking they might have gone up from the Twin Lakes side, as the parking on the Ollalie side is like at 3800. I've seen climber types go in from the road switchback east of twin lakes. But your theory makes more sense; it would be much...
Thank you for the report, Ron. Do you think this refers to the West slopes that are above Lake Annette and the Lake Annette trail? Sounds like it does. Having skiied the west slope several times, as I know many other TAY posters have, this certainly gives pause. I am not sure I have seen too many or any 45-50 degree areas on the west face, because I am pretty sure I don't ski anything nearly that steep! It could be that towards the south aspects of that west slope,...
As long as we're on the subject of Silver Peak, here's a good reason to check out the avy blog once in a while (and contribute to it, too!):
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Tim Kirk reported @ 05/19/2004 11:30 AM PDT
This was reported from a Mountaineers member on a scramble of Silver Peak. His report is posted below:
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I just thought I would share a scary story from yesterday.
My father and...
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Tim Kirk reported @ 05/19/2004 11:30 AM PDT
This was reported from a Mountaineers member on a scramble of Silver Peak. His report is posted below:
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I just thought I would share a scary story from yesterday.
My father and...
5 summits in 5 days. Sounds like fun. Who's in? All I really know at this time is I have Thursday-Monday off. I was thinking of heading towards Adams some time Thursday. Maybe even throw a little Mt. Hood into the mix.
The shovel looked like it had been buried a while... possibly lost earlier in the year.
The good lines go from all along the north face, especially from the saddle, and then east. Your "silver buddy" has good self preservation instincts, however. We took the same approach on those north facing lines years ago. There ARE cliffs, 2 sets of 'em, and they can sneak up on you. So a lot of the lines DON'T "go" either because of the cliffs or the fact...
The good lines go from all along the north face, especially from the saddle, and then east. Your "silver buddy" has good self preservation instincts, however. We took the same approach on those north facing lines years ago. There ARE cliffs, 2 sets of 'em, and they can sneak up on you. So a lot of the lines DON'T "go" either because of the cliffs or the fact...
I'd be up for Adams this Wednesday afternoon/Thursday. Have to work Thu evening though. The forecast might work out OK, possibly maybe... How about it?
Not mine.
I will explore that NE basin area next time. My "Silver buddy" has always been a bit of an Eyore (sp?) about that way ("it may not go, it looks like cliffs..."), but it sure looks interesting to me. Heck, if the sledders can highmark, we must be able to find some good lines there too!
I will explore that NE basin area next time. My "Silver buddy" has always been a bit of an Eyore (sp?) about that way ("it may not go, it looks like cliffs..."), but it sure looks interesting to me. Heck, if the sledders can highmark, we must be able to find some good lines there too!
I think Jim is saying he wants to do five summit of Adams in five days. Right Jim? ;D
Now you've done it, Jim. We'll have to tie Stebbi down until next weekend. ;D
Well that will teach me to not join you. Adams???
What about Adams? ;D
Cool! That looks like it was fun. Well sorry for the misdirected attitude I gave you a little while back. Did you get on Baker? We'll take you up there if you haven't been already...
Sounds like you may have explored the NE lobe of the basin a bit - true? If so, did you ski all the way out that direction?
Yeah, Jim, we went up on the NW side (twice, ran in to Randy on the second one) but descended 3 different lines from the center to the far NE side. We actually knew the area from lots of prior trips, but some of the steeper gladed lines we had in mind were devoid of snow. Skied out to the clearcut without removing s...
Well that will teach me to not join you. Adams???
So Jeanette, the queen bee, have you decided on a name for the chute?;D It's a secret ;D and thanks worker bee for kickin in the steps. To bad we had to quit, I was up for tackling another chute, so much to do.
http://newschoolers.com/PHP/Videos/Uploaded/7014HiddenLakePeaksmall.WMV
Neat trip. How did you get Matt away from the lab? Might I suggest skibiking (see recent Spray Park/Flett Glacier gallery) on the gated roads; it makes the journeys on the road much faster and the downhill is nice.
Matt
Matt