TR Replies
Greg -
I was on the same program the day before. Tried to get a "3-hour tour" in and still spend time with the family.
The destination planned was the east face of the S Chair Peak Shoulder. It was a warm day and I quickly realized that my 6:15 departure was too late - the snow had not frozen much the night before. I was delighted to see that the Bryant/Chair col gully (ie. Wonder Gully) was still intact and looked to have a couple of weeks left. As I climbed up above S...
I was on the same program the day before. Tried to get a "3-hour tour" in and still spend time with the family.
The destination planned was the east face of the S Chair Peak Shoulder. It was a warm day and I quickly realized that my 6:15 departure was too late - the snow had not frozen much the night before. I was delighted to see that the Bryant/Chair col gully (ie. Wonder Gully) was still intact and looked to have a couple of weeks left. As I climbed up above S...
Jos Van der Burg pointed out that the Paleface Creek Road, off from the Chilliwak Lake Road, usually offers a reasonable alternative for entrance to the Maselpanik area. Unfortunately, my road explorations last Wednesday found that the Paleface Creek Road is blocked by a rock slide at .7 miles.
Lowell, I saw your tracks on the Depot Creek Road, but my humble Toyota was turned back at .8 mi. I wondered who was in there. Congrats on another one!
Lowell, I saw your tracks on the Depot Creek Road, but my humble Toyota was turned back at .8 mi. I wondered who was in there. Congrats on another one!
Matt Perkins and friends skied Mt Rahm from the north last spring. Here is his report from cc.com:
http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/threadz/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/186306/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/threadz/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/186306/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
Thanks for two great trip reports: one describes heroic skiing (50 degree slope above a bershrund), the other an equally heroic approach (two hours cutting a large deadfall with a small handsaw). I hope there are photos forthcoming.
I'm impressed. Do you have any idea what the slope angle was? The aspect? Any indication why the slabs broke where they did (e.g., on his ski cut, at a rollover or obvious weak zone, etc.)?
Thanks.
Thanks.
We we're a bit ahead of you, we left the summit at about 11:30am. One of the skiers in our party triggered some pretty large wet slab avalanches. He outskied it, but we (the other members in his party) were on an adjacent aspect and didn't see the event in action. Here's a photo though. From the tracks, several others had skiied this same aspect and slope before the slabs released. Note the line of people on the right headed for the rim, and there are two others in the upper left:
<...
<...
Lowell, while you and Carl were going up the south side of the Chilliwack massif Steve Hindman and I were trying to ascend the north side from Maselpanik Creek. Steve has already gone up there via Depot Creek (I'll forward your question to him) and he didn't want to do it again. We had tried a few days earlier and were stopped by the sudden decomposition of Mike Lee's car's clutch. This time we got just a little bit farther to find a big tree fallen over the road with attendant...
WOW! Great effort guys! That puts a lot of mileage on the legs. How many miles was the total trip? I'm sure it was a real quiet trip!
Lowell: I forwarded the link to your TR to Kay Spickard in Gstaad, Switzerland - she or someone in her family might know.
Nice trip Larry, I am envyous since work obligations have me limited to daytrippable terrain. I noticed from the photo that that great eastslope run off Skookum Pk. 6394 is disguised by the 6100 ft ridge in the foreground over Jolly basin. Due to time and energy constraints I have yet to ski either of those big basins to the bottoms since one has to climb back out of the Middle Fk. Teanaway drainages, either your way, or via Paris Creek. Maybe next season we'll get together for...
Right on Zap! I hope you don't mind I posted a link to your TR in the TTips "Free Tioga Pass" thread.
Thanks for another wonderful TR!
Ema, Stebbi:
I am planning on heading up there for an overnight this saturday -- I'll keep an eye out for the jacket if you havn't already found it ...
Let me know if you're interested in heading out again and want to meet up!
- Kevin
I am planning on heading up there for an overnight this saturday -- I'll keep an eye out for the jacket if you havn't already found it ...
Let me know if you're interested in heading out again and want to meet up!
- Kevin
here's the link to a few more photos:
http://jonandtricia.home.comcast.net/
http://jonandtricia.home.comcast.net/
Great report, thanks for the info.
Ah but you realize driving from PDX to the Sisters takes longer then driving to Rainier ;D
Yes, but I5 is a much less scenic & pleasant drive. The fun should start ASAP and last ALAP.
This was our May trip when I was at U of O. I posted this a couple years ago on the 'other' site. It may break some unwritten brotherhood code on this site, but what the heck, I'll live dangerously:
This seems a good place to post Aaron Novick's trip up into N. Sister. We usually did this trip in early May.
Get yourself to Pole Ck. Campground and take the logging road N. from the camp until you get to the red cross hairs on this map:
http://www.topozone.com/...
This seems a good place to post Aaron Novick's trip up into N. Sister. We usually did this trip in early May.
Get yourself to Pole Ck. Campground and take the logging road N. from the camp until you get to the red cross hairs on this map:
http://www.topozone.com/...
pdx,
If you're up for volcano skiing, Amar has some good beta on his site that may be of use to you:
http://www.skimountaineer.com/CascadeSki/CascadeSki.html
I'm certain he could expound if you had specific questions.
-s
If you're up for volcano skiing, Amar has some good beta on his site that may be of use to you:
http://www.skimountaineer.com/CascadeSki/CascadeSki.html
I'm certain he could expound if you had specific questions.
-s
But I've been based in Eugene for all these trips, getting to any of these would be a pretty substantial drive from PDX. But grab a topo and use your imagination, you'll find plenty.
That's only because they're unwilling to hike to the REALLY good snow. ;D
I haven't done much, but here's what I've got: Bailey is fun, but if you have to park at the snopark it's a LOOONG slog. Lots of stuff in the Sisters, like Jeff says. Bachelor after the lifts close. Thielsen. In winter or early spring, Black Butte (difficult to get in good conditions), the hump next to 3finger Jack, Maxwell Butte, Tumalo (powder....oooohhhh). Diamond Peak. Maiden Peak. Those are the only ones I've...
I haven't done much, but here's what I've got: Bailey is fun, but if you have to park at the snopark it's a LOOONG slog. Lots of stuff in the Sisters, like Jeff says. Bachelor after the lifts close. Thielsen. In winter or early spring, Black Butte (difficult to get in good conditions), the hump next to 3finger Jack, Maxwell Butte, Tumalo (powder....oooohhhh). Diamond Peak. Maiden Peak. Those are the only ones I've...
There's skiing in Oregon? You gotta be kidding me! ;)
I've heard this unconfirmed, probably false rumor that folks from WA sometimes travel to *gasp* Oreghan to make October turns. This rumor must be a conspiracy.
I'd happily cross to WA, I just can't (don't want to) drive 5 hours each way every weekend to get to the real mountains in WA or BC.
<snip>
Any recommendations for a mid-May trip around the Sisters?
Ah but you realize driving from PDX to the Sisters takes longer then driving to Rainier ;D
If Cascade Lakes Hwy is open South Sister boosts wondeful spring skiing. For multi-day bc camps Green Lakes is a great destination. I...
Well, we didn't ski all the way down the face, we cut left before the bottom and exited via the SW ridge, which didn't have debris and was reasonably skiable but was probably thinner than ideal. We couldn't see the whole thing, but there is probably a debris zone at the bottom of the west face proper, don't know if you could ski around it but it might be a hassle if you had to go through it. The face itself was left in a pretty smooth state that I'm sure would still be fine for skiin...
Paul,
I'd happily cross to WA, I just can't (don't want to) drive 5 hours each way every weekend to get to the real mountains in WA or BC.
I'm aiming to go to Crater Rock on Hood this weekend, and Mt St Helens sometime before the May 15th.
I see from your TR website that you've done some great stuff in central OR. Any recommendations for a mid-May trip around the Sisters? I cross-country skied the Tam MacArthur Rim earlier this winter. Seemed like it would be a nice place to...
I'd happily cross to WA, I just can't (don't want to) drive 5 hours each way every weekend to get to the real mountains in WA or BC.
I'm aiming to go to Crater Rock on Hood this weekend, and Mt St Helens sometime before the May 15th.
I see from your TR website that you've done some great stuff in central OR. Any recommendations for a mid-May trip around the Sisters? I cross-country skied the Tam MacArthur Rim earlier this winter. Seemed like it would be a nice place to...
I was in the other party of two that met you on the top. We had a great 1500' run down the NE side after dropping down the ridge a few hundred feet. The slope had some rolls, but was nice steepness of 35 degrees I'm guessing. Not much sluffing. Mostly 2" on firm base for velvety turns with a couple grabby spots and a bit mushy at 5500'. Climbed back up to the ridge and skied down the other side about 1500' through the trees until we traversed to the skiers right to the main open gulley...
ac,
was there much for avy remnants on the slope? I haven't been up there for 3 springs, but last time I was on Red Mtn it looked as though the entire face of the peak had ripped off several times - not so much an issue for skiing the face itself, but miserable for coming down the runout gullies below.
was there much for avy remnants on the slope? I haven't been up there for 3 springs, but last time I was on Red Mtn it looked as though the entire face of the peak had ripped off several times - not so much an issue for skiing the face itself, but miserable for coming down the runout gullies below.
Sounds like a great trip, Zap.
Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for sharing it.
Mmmmmm. Schat's Bakery bread. It was a required stop during the drive from SoCal to Mammoth. ;D
There's skiing in Oregon? You gotta be kidding me! ;)
Thanks Ron! If I'm on the mtn Sun I'll say Hi.
Congratulations John on completing your 20 peaks!
What would it take to talk you into converting this into some sort of skier's guide to the Teanaway? No one knows this area like you do!
Larry
What would it take to talk you into converting this into some sort of skier's guide to the Teanaway? No one knows this area like you do!
Larry
We were also up at Black Peak and enjoyed 2 beautiful days. Plans changed as we glanced from a col at the northwest face. Deep snow over rock didn't look pleasent (to descend) and thin snow on the NW face didn't look promising either. We opted to head back down and climb around to the south side. Great skiing and easy climbing on scree and mellow slopes led to the summit. We enjoyed beautiful views of Bonanza (oh yea) and everything else (there's a few). It was nice to see a new area (and now I...
Yeah, I think about that alot Gerry. And perhaps a stragetically placed yurt or two at road ends would make for some neat high country multiday touring and nice warming shelter for nordic skiers!
Excellent skiing, excellent company! It was hot hot hot on the way up to copper col... Good snow coverage all the way.
A classic moment was seeing a dog from take a vertical plunge of the edge of a cornice and go bounding down the slope with a party of skiiers from Bellingham!
- Kevin
A classic moment was seeing a dog from take a vertical plunge of the edge of a cornice and go bounding down the slope with a party of skiiers from Bellingham!
- Kevin
I met you folks in the morning at the P&R... How were the clouds up there? It almost looked like from marblemount that HLP would be above the layer!
From Rainy Pass area, it was partly cloudy until about noon, and and it looked like there was a cloud around Forbidden all day. The cool temps made midday touring pleasant...
- Kevin
From Rainy Pass area, it was partly cloudy until about noon, and and it looked like there was a cloud around Forbidden all day. The cool temps made midday touring pleasant...
- Kevin
I felt like a one legged man in an ass kicking contest.
Yes, those south side Hood tours are handy and great skiing.
Jeffey, we've got a gang convening on your fair mountain on Sunday afternoon (climbing Monday). If you happen to be coming down from a south side tour and have time, look for us in the Rams Head early afternoon or the Silcox Hut late afternoon.
Jeffey, we've got a gang convening on your fair mountain on Sunday afternoon (climbing Monday). If you happen to be coming down from a south side tour and have time, look for us in the Rams Head early afternoon or the Silcox Hut late afternoon.
And why am I not out again today? Oh yea, work. Why can't we get paid to play?
Nice report John, and thanks for sharing your peak list - all wonderful trips & runs. Along the lines of your thoughts re sking the Teanaway, can you imagine the destination, both Nordic and backcountry, it would be, if it was skier only from 29 Pines to the road end at the Long's pass trailhead? Something to think about! or work for!
GerryH
GerryH
Sorry, I lost it before I finished the list:
S. Ingalls Peak 7640+
Fortune Pk. 7382
High Esmerelda 6765
Hawkins Mtn. 7160
Skookum Pk. 6394
Jolly Mtn. 6443
Sasse Mtn. 5730
Hex Mtn. 5034
Red Mtn (C.E. Valley) 5880+
Thorp Mtn. 5854
Anyway, there are some great runs off these. All can be ascended and descended right off the summits. Many can be skied in the winter easily and fun in Spring. It is intended to spark interest in the Teanaway and Cle Elum...
S. Ingalls Peak 7640+
Fortune Pk. 7382
High Esmerelda 6765
Hawkins Mtn. 7160
Skookum Pk. 6394
Jolly Mtn. 6443
Sasse Mtn. 5730
Hex Mtn. 5034
Red Mtn (C.E. Valley) 5880+
Thorp Mtn. 5854
Anyway, there are some great runs off these. All can be ascended and descended right off the summits. Many can be skied in the winter easily and fun in Spring. It is intended to spark interest in the Teanaway and Cle Elum...
Thanks for the TR. While reading this forum I sometimes forget there are mountains near Portland ;)
Illumination Rock is a beautiful trip! If my hip injury allows me to get out next weekend I'll post a TR.
Gaper Jeffeeyyyyyyyyyy
from the Greater Portland Metro Area
Illumination Rock is a beautiful trip! If my hip injury allows me to get out next weekend I'll post a TR.
Gaper Jeffeeyyyyyyyyyy
from the Greater Portland Metro Area
I was with Ema yesterday, this is for the three other parties we met. I dropped a blue Cloudveil jacket between the trailhead and the car, on the way out. If you picked it up, please send me an email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
What a great trip! The best way for me to keep up with John & co. is to leave a day early. :-)
Of the three runs I did off the east face of Little Navaho, the first one at 8:30 am was the best. Silky smooth snow, just beginning to thaw; very fast. The terrain is delightful. It's rolling with a number of nice breakovers, clumps of trees with open paths between, and great scenery. The west facing run from the saddle back to the trail was likewise just thawing and very fast when I skied...
Of the three runs I did off the east face of Little Navaho, the first one at 8:30 am was the best. Silky smooth snow, just beginning to thaw; very fast. The terrain is delightful. It's rolling with a number of nice breakovers, clumps of trees with open paths between, and great scenery. The west facing run from the saddle back to the trail was likewise just thawing and very fast when I skied...
Yup, The guiding fireman. Hope to get my act together and get a TR posted.
How about 3-5k thumbnails of all of them, linked to the full size versions if people want to see more detail? I'm not sure how to do this in the forum, but I typically do it in web pages to speed download time.
I guess we pretty well wore out our welcome on the multiple pics on one thread, eh?
Didn't get a resounding majority to pick the one to keep, either. So now I've painted myself into a corner and haven't got a clue as to which photo should survive, just that the "bombing site" one needs to go.
So Charles, how 'bout we have a [no photo limit] "Great Photos of TAY" thread? Then we can move 3 of the 4 qualifiers over and then the folks on dial-ups can avoid...
Didn't get a resounding majority to pick the one to keep, either. So now I've painted myself into a corner and haven't got a clue as to which photo should survive, just that the "bombing site" one needs to go.
So Charles, how 'bout we have a [no photo limit] "Great Photos of TAY" thread? Then we can move 3 of the 4 qualifiers over and then the folks on dial-ups can avoid...
Great Idea, Greg!!
Now to piggyback on your idea and come up with some implementation ideas without a bunch of work on anyone's part...
Seems like if we started a thread on Random tracks for each proposed catagory then the ones that got entries would be the ones we'd present at next year's SkiFest??
Awards could be a "surprise" bestowed by a volunteer on each thread??
Anyone care to jump in here??
Now to piggyback on your idea and come up with some implementation ideas without a bunch of work on anyone's part...
Seems like if we started a thread on Random tracks for each proposed catagory then the ones that got entries would be the ones we'd present at next year's SkiFest??
Awards could be a "surprise" bestowed by a volunteer on each thread??
Anyone care to jump in here??
Ron, how about a little awards ceremony next year? Maybe a 6-pack or a box of Clif Bars per catagory, or a little trophy (just saw some for $.99 each at Crown Hill Value Village) . . . best TR, most epic tour, best action photo, best powder photo, etc.
I think MW88888888 hit it on the head - March is the best time to ski Kaleetan. The summit gully is steep and faces due south; it's bordered by rocks and has rocks in the center that heat up in the sun. Consequently it melts out pretty quickly.
The Chair loop w/ Kaleetan side trip is the nicest tour I've done near Snoqualmie Pass. The descent off Kaleetan is beautiful. You can click in directly on the summit, then ski a continuous spiral around the mountain -...
The Chair loop w/ Kaleetan side trip is the nicest tour I've done near Snoqualmie Pass. The descent off Kaleetan is beautiful. You can click in directly on the summit, then ski a continuous spiral around the mountain -...
Forgot to mention: on all exposures, except north facing, the skiing was quite good all day on firm corn with 1 to 2 inches of wet new in shady spots. A trap crust over 4" to 6" of dense powdery snow was what we found on north exposure above 6000 feet.