TR Replies
>>? I have assumed that Maxiglide could interfere with the adhesion of skins <<
We used the Maxiglide on the fuzzy side to displace water.
We used the Maxiglide on the fuzzy side to displace water.
I forgot to add that Ron hit the century mark on this trip - 100 consecutive months of skiing. Congratulations Ron! Who is next?
Congratulations not only on making it, but also for deftly avoiding getting sucked very far into the media circus! Thanks for the detailed TR, and the extra details in the Logistics section. I've been to the Tumac Mountain shield area in winter and know that the navigation there is very difficult because of the gentleness of the terrain and the lack of views due to the forest. But it is a great place to go exploring on skis and use navigation skills.
I'm curious about Maxiglide and frozen...
I'm curious about Maxiglide and frozen...
Thanks for writing up the TR, Robie. It was sure fortunate that the 6" of snow fell before the precip stopped altogether, otherwise we'd have just been skidding around on sheets of ice - we were all surprised at how good the skiing was. I think we were also surprised at the depth of rain-affected snow under the re-freezing crust - easily 18" in many areas. This large-grained layer was surprisingly "airy" and would not support a boot at all - many of us had plunges up to the t...
Charles
Lift skied a little bit on Fri AM at Alpental. pretty grim. refrozen crusty semi groomed, rain looked like it made it up to at least the top of denny. A little bit of fresh still in the trees the lee north side of the tops. In the woods it was refrozen breakable crust with rain runnels. It did not draw me to far back . Came home to work on my boat!!!
casting my eye on Sunday but the conditions.......
CW
Lift skied a little bit on Fri AM at Alpental. pretty grim. refrozen crusty semi groomed, rain looked like it made it up to at least the top of denny. A little bit of fresh still in the trees the lee north side of the tops. In the woods it was refrozen breakable crust with rain runnels. It did not draw me to far back . Came home to work on my boat!!!
casting my eye on Sunday but the conditions.......
CW
alpentalcorey - thanks for the additional info, it's very helpful. It looks like it has been raining just about everywhere overnight. Forecast is looking OK for tomorrow, and hopefully there will be at least a few inches of snow before the precip ends.
Oh, as far as the snowpack goes it seemed reasonably compacted on friday day. Not bottomless mush. Maybe it could get mushier if it rains a lot, which may be happining. I have to go to the airport later today so will not be up there saturday and maybe not sunday either. If anyone goes up, I am curious where the snow level was/is.
I really wouldn't classify the snow right now up there as very good at all sorry to say. Out in the woods I think you would find thick wet snow with a good crust on it. That could change of course, however as I sit here writing this at 4:25 am it appears that it is raining and has not snowed last night. (i am not currently at alpental but have been there all week) Where the snow level was/is exactly I don't know. Maybe it could snow at a low enough level today? or did it...
jackal - I've copied the two reports you mention below:
12/30/02 at 9:17am
by Bud
"I yo-yo'd a few laps on lower International at Alpental on saturday and there was enough coverage over the boulderfield below the cliffs on Denny Mtn, so I bet that the Pineapple Pass area has enough snow by now, don't know about Commonweath basin, seems like ya might need a little more snow before there will be good skiing in the trees back up in there."
12/31/02 at 9:37pm
by jack...
12/30/02 at 9:17am
by Bud
"I yo-yo'd a few laps on lower International at Alpental on saturday and there was enough coverage over the boulderfield below the cliffs on Denny Mtn, so I bet that the Pineapple Pass area has enough snow by now, don't know about Commonweath basin, seems like ya might need a little more snow before there will be good skiing in the trees back up in there."
12/31/02 at 9:37pm
by jack...
From the telemetry it looks like it probably rained (a lot) at Paradise, Stevens, and at least lower Crystal yesterday (Thurs).
Can you describe the snowpack around Snoqualmie now, after yesterday's rain? Is it bottomless wet mush, or reasonably compacted? I'm interested because thinking of a woods tour somewhere up there on Sunday. Unfortunately this storm coming in tonight is supposed to bring heavy wind and precip, with snow levels above the main passes, yet again.
Can you describe the snowpack around Snoqualmie now, after yesterday's rain? Is it bottomless wet mush, or reasonably compacted? I'm interested because thinking of a woods tour somewhere up there on Sunday. Unfortunately this storm coming in tonight is supposed to bring heavy wind and precip, with snow levels above the main passes, yet again.
Just wanted to let everyone know that conditions have really taken a turn for the worse at Alpental. It didn't snow at all thurs - all rain. Did it rain at all the passes or just at snoqualmie?
Thanks, Andy. Glad to hear we're gettin more snow up there.
Get some different boots and you can take a couple of runs on my fatties! ;D
Get some different boots and you can take a couple of runs on my fatties! ;D
Andy . Your trail report sounds like you were on Valium!
" linked turns at 2mph". Shoot, at least you got to ski !
Happy New year ski to yas!
" linked turns at 2mph". Shoot, at least you got to ski !
Happy New year ski to yas!
JP - this trip is definitely worthy of being reported here! You provide useful info about not only the snow on the skiing portion, but also access considerations for now and upcoming weeks.
In addition, despite the title of this web site, backcountry skiing does not have to be simply about turns. Some of my favorite ski trips have had very few turns, and some of those have been to Grand Park. The trip into Grand Park with snow involves map reading and forest navigation skills, and...
In addition, despite the title of this web site, backcountry skiing does not have to be simply about turns. Some of my favorite ski trips have had very few turns, and some of those have been to Grand Park. The trip into Grand Park with snow involves map reading and forest navigation skills, and...
Hi, Tim, Thanks for the kind thoughts. If caution is borne of experience this past year has made me more of a cautious, old man. A year ago January Larry Duff, Georgia Bakke, and Susan McKnight died in an avalanche in the Purcells. Now Don Dovey's recent death on a familar slope and in the company of regular partners. This backcountry skiing can be a hard balancing game with high stakes. Take care.
Brent,
Glad to hear you were at Paradise Sunday. I was worried you may have been one of the folks involved in the Cement Basin accident with N. BTW, I thank you again for sharing the Guiness at Campbell Glacier last season!
Glad to hear you were at Paradise Sunday. I was worried you may have been one of the folks involved in the Cement Basin accident with N. BTW, I thank you again for sharing the Guiness at Campbell Glacier last season!
We were there, Brent.
And we were early enough for the black ice out of Eatonville, too! ;D
Too bad we missed you. We had extra vehicles so we left 2 at Narada. Climbed up Mazama and worked our way down the nooks and crannies down to Reflection Lakes, back up over the saddle then down to Narada. Had a great tour. Better coverage up higher, thinner especially as you get down closer to Narada.
And we were early enough for the black ice out of Eatonville, too! ;D
Too bad we missed you. We had extra vehicles so we left 2 at Narada. Climbed up Mazama and worked our way down the nooks and crannies down to Reflection Lakes, back up over the saddle then down to Narada. Had a great tour. Better coverage up higher, thinner especially as you get down closer to Narada.
JP good on ya fer being so bold. That is a great tour Ive been doing it for years trying to get the timing right on both ends of winter. Laurie and I have done it as late as July and still had fun. Some awsome veiws up there as well.The trail ski back down from "Grand Park Central " is a hoot. Gotta get that early start next time eh?
Our party of three made only one run on the backside. After that we made our way NW to the saddle between peaks 5447 and 5322, which took a while but was a good scouting mission. The run down to PCT was very good until we got down in the trees. That started with some openings but got worse as we went farther, spending over an hour to make the trail by dark. This might be more do-able with much more snowpack, but we would have been better off climbing SW above trees and s...
Uh...Ahh... I hope we're not venturing into the area of "too much information"... ;D
Yes!
The forum has turned out another happy customer :)
What is really funny is that it is a small world
I met JDH's wife the other night!
The forum has turned out another happy customer :)
What is really funny is that it is a small world
I met JDH's wife the other night!
Good to see a post again from Mark and hear of what was happening up north as I watched it here down near "the pass"
cw
cw
:D :D :D :D :D
Thanks Regine, Darin, Steve and Dominique for breaking trail and sharing awesome turns. Hope to return the favor soon. Great snow, great fun! Merry Christmas.
Paul from Ellensburg
Thanks Regine, Darin, Steve and Dominique for breaking trail and sharing awesome turns. Hope to return the favor soon. Great snow, great fun! Merry Christmas.
Paul from Ellensburg
Brings back memories of some of my early season road slogs... better than being home playing couch potato, but on slightly so. ;)
Good info, Mark.
Thanks.
Good info, Mark.
Thanks.
I just checked the telemetry and it looks like Baker has already gotten about 2' in the last 24 hours. Unfortunately the SL is supposed to go up to 5K on Friday before falling again, with lots of wind. It may be one of those "careful" types of weekends.
Rumor has it that 1-2 feet of snow should arrive in the Cascades in the next 48 hours and then more coming this weekend!!!
Hope that rumor mill is correct 8)
Hope that rumor mill is correct 8)
Sounds like TAY trip report forum strikes again, enabling another great ski.
Thanks for the report, JDH.
Thanks for the report, JDH.
Yep. She rocks all right... check it out:
the rest of the pics are at: http://groups.msn.com/WildHeartsSkiing/evenbetterparadise122202.msnw
the rest of the pics are at: http://groups.msn.com/WildHeartsSkiing/evenbetterparadise122202.msnw
I'll add my 2 cents in here , Lower slopes from pan point down could use a couple more feet to fill in the gullies.No signs of natural or triggered releases.
What got into Dorothea? She musta knocked off 7-8 runs. HAppy holidays to all.
What got into Dorothea? She musta knocked off 7-8 runs. HAppy holidays to all.
Tatoosh Backcountry update from yesterday, Dec 22.
Approached the Castle/Pinnacle saddle and decided to try the South side. Awesome! Deep,mostly stable, light snow! Fresh tracks all day except when we made our final descent down the north side, which was pretty tracked up although we did manage to find some more freshies. Visibility was on and off most of the day but overall not bad at all. Overall it was a great, allbeit, full day!
Ian
Approached the Castle/Pinnacle saddle and decided to try the South side. Awesome! Deep,mostly stable, light snow! Fresh tracks all day except when we made our final descent down the north side, which was pretty tracked up although we did manage to find some more freshies. Visibility was on and off most of the day but overall not bad at all. Overall it was a great, allbeit, full day!
Ian
Ron, we noticed a couple of small sloughs, probably a few days old. We skied some steep pitches and nothing moved.
Charles The template of trip reports! Looks like you guys had an excellent day! Spent the day at Stevens on Fri., limited runs but good quality snow. Merry Christmas ! 8)
Good info, Zap. Thanks.
Did you see any signs on instability in the snow along the ridge between 3 way and bear gap?
Did you see any signs on instability in the snow along the ridge between 3 way and bear gap?
Congrats to John for being in remission!!!
Brent there were 7 of us that were skiing the Mazama ridge/bowl area yesterday, Ron, myself, Robie, Bob N, Dorthea, Maxine, and Ray. The snow was great and we had a blast. I just purchased a new pairs of BD Crossbows and Tristep bindings, I haven't had any problem with them coming off.
Have a great holiday, looking forward to seeing you on the Mountain
(Jeanette)
Brent there were 7 of us that were skiing the Mazama ridge/bowl area yesterday, Ron, myself, Robie, Bob N, Dorthea, Maxine, and Ray. The snow was great and we had a blast. I just purchased a new pairs of BD Crossbows and Tristep bindings, I haven't had any problem with them coming off.
Have a great holiday, looking forward to seeing you on the Mountain
(Jeanette)
I was up there today (the 22nd) and can more or less agree. The was a lot of wind pack. But, for me, it was the first time I have had skins on since July, so it felt great to get out and the views were excllent today.
Yeah, I think Robie was going to try to get out today even though his knee is still bothering him. Hope the knee is better and the snow was good. Thanks for the TR, Andy.
We (me, Regine, and our adult kids) were up there today soon. Thought I saw Robie leaving the parking lot as we drove up. Started up to Pan Pt. but could feel highly variable snow conditions underneath and the top was socked in and Edith Basin was showing some low clouds. We traversed Edith Basin--some sort of wind or melt-freeze crust under 8 inches of fresh; the ski down to the Paradise River was sweet! even if some poachers had beat us to it. We traversed up to Mazama...
Yes, you are correct. We only did the north aspect, because we didn't want to lay down another skin track. The south side looked just as great from the saddle.
joshua
joshua
Ned, I'm assuming you skied only the north aspect? What did the south side of the saddle look like? Our group found some pretty fine conditions around the Paradise area yesterday!
Hey Charles, Thanks for writing the TR. As the lone AT skier, I had a blast and was the best skiing I had in this "early season" and I am looking forward to the pictures from the trip. Also, I hope your saturn doesn't have any significant damage.
Enjoy,
Joshua
Enjoy,
Joshua
>:( That didn't sound like a very fun ski.
Maybe we should see if we could get Charles to put Hermione and Hedwig on the home page again to do some more of that magic stuff, and quick. Or, maybe we should all get together with a sacrificial 5 gallon drum of that "Jarvis Jelly", Ron could led us on a BC trip and someone could light the fuse or something. ;)
Maybe we should see if we could get Charles to put Hermione and Hedwig on the home page again to do some more of that magic stuff, and quick. Or, maybe we should all get together with a sacrificial 5 gallon drum of that "Jarvis Jelly", Ron could led us on a BC trip and someone could light the fuse or something. ;)
A pleasent day out ..now if I can just remember how to ski fresh snow again.......
CW
I think it's a little like riding a bike. ;D ;D
Yes indeed, Charles not only does nice tele turns but nice Saturn turns while avoiding objective dangers on the return home!!
On the snow stability issue it will be interesting to see how the rain crust at 36" will act when loaded with a bit more snow. The pit dug at 4400 ft or so south east facing showed fairly fairly easy failure at the crust surface. I recall some clear nights after that rain and wonder if on steeper aspects with some hoar frost development how well b...
On the snow stability issue it will be interesting to see how the rain crust at 36" will act when loaded with a bit more snow. The pit dug at 4400 ft or so south east facing showed fairly fairly easy failure at the crust surface. I recall some clear nights after that rain and wonder if on steeper aspects with some hoar frost development how well b...
Charles
The mountain weather browser is a nice feature it really helps make it easier than clicking back and forth finding the data you are looking for. Thanks for all your work keeping this these pages progressing forward its becoming a "must check " on my web browsing
CW
The mountain weather browser is a nice feature it really helps make it easier than clicking back and forth finding the data you are looking for. Thanks for all your work keeping this these pages progressing forward its becoming a "must check " on my web browsing
CW
Nice report Charles, sounds like you had a great day except for those holiday shoppers. Glad you guys weren't a victim of a multi car. Things seem to be much simpler in the BC. ;)
You certainly seem to be committed to making up for lost time ;)
As I was reading your report, I was thinking the same thing as Ron. Zap, glad that you are back, and having a good time!
I think it is either the 3700' or 3800' station on the Snoqualmie Pass telemetry page. There is this really cool Mountain Weather Browser which gives instant access to all of the telemetry data pages. ;)