TR Replies
hey ron,
hope we're not the poachers you're referring to. i didn't know where we were going til we got there. we ended up getting away from it all over on Unicorn. The lower chute was getting some wind deposited snow near the top, but it seemed to be well adhered to the old snow layer. the upper snow field to the saddle was pretty good skiing, extremely variable, but never too bad.
good day for those fatties, hope you enjoyed yours.
allen
hope we're not the poachers you're referring to. i didn't know where we were going til we got there. we ended up getting away from it all over on Unicorn. The lower chute was getting some wind deposited snow near the top, but it seemed to be well adhered to the old snow layer. the upper snow field to the saddle was pretty good skiing, extremely variable, but never too bad.
good day for those fatties, hope you enjoyed yours.
allen
Spring skiing is happening now, apparently, on the right aspects. I also found the tree peed cucka in the Snoqualmie forest, but open slopes were pretty darned good, though you obviously wanna catch sunny slopes while they're soft. By the way, there's a pretty fun avalanche path on the west side of the second Kendall Knob that I almost went to check out this weekend (Volken describes how to get there in his book for anyone who is interested in this spot) - I bet that would offer pretty nice skii...
That's funny,
we were camped out in snow caves for an avy course right below where your son was. We had some great turns this morning after we traversed under table mountain and out and around by the Herman/Table saddle and dropped down into the basin for some great north facing powder. Although it was skied out, there was still some great terrain to cut up. Good Times
we were camped out in snow caves for an avy course right below where your son was. We had some great turns this morning after we traversed under table mountain and out and around by the Herman/Table saddle and dropped down into the basin for some great north facing powder. Although it was skied out, there was still some great terrain to cut up. Good Times
Zap,
Well are we going to have a ski outing sometime or what? If you still live in the Skoog's neighborhood say hello to them from me!
Darin
Well are we going to have a ski outing sometime or what? If you still live in the Skoog's neighborhood say hello to them from me!
Darin
Silas,
The warm rain late last week also reached Holden but the snow that followed the rain in western WA never reached Holden. We had sunny days with "unbreakable crust". Came back early.
Zap
Darin,
It's me.
The warm rain late last week also reached Holden but the snow that followed the rain in western WA never reached Holden. We had sunny days with "unbreakable crust". Came back early.
Zap
Darin,
It's me.
Zap,
This isn't Zap who lives near/on the west side of Lake Sammamish is it? -Or used to?
Darin
This isn't Zap who lives near/on the west side of Lake Sammamish is it? -Or used to?
Darin
What happened to your Holden trip or is it coming up?
I think this will work for photos site: http://photomail.photoworks.com/sharing/album.asp?Key=1~FQQ4aBru.cKAsm25i78ImY.fa1beMK1Q4xG4szv8o9mlQpAi9BmvCoYshFHj9OZG
Thanks for all of the useful info, and glad you found good skiing.
Mark, thanks, that helps a lot. We will add that to the (limited) list of possible destinations.
Charles, don't have time to write up a report, but there's about 8 inches of powder reasonably well bonded to a strong crust on sun-sheltered slopes up here (i.e., Mt. Baker Highway). Should last until at least Thursday. Anything below about 4000 feet and anything which gets any sun at all has crust on it. Base at 4000 feet is about 6 feet, deepening with increased altitude.
Hope that helps. Enjoy.
Mark
Hope that helps. Enjoy.
Mark
Joshua - Do you think there is any hope of soft snow in the area now? I'm thinking about going on Thursday, but I don't want boilerplate or nasty crust. Any guesses about how it might be on the Muir snowfield? Thanks.
Thanks for all the useful info! I have a question for any of you who were in this area over the past few days: do you think there will be any soft snow to be found in the area now? I'm thinking about going to Paradise on Thursday. Maybe Muir was high enough to not get really wet snow? With all the wet snow around Pan Pt and Mazama over the weekend, it seems like things might be frozen solid now and not very fun?
Thanks for the report and the good, if disappointing, info. I'm wondering about the Nordic Pass part - did you go through Nordic Pass and its forest? It sounds like you followed the groomed trail all the way around, which wouldn't actually take you through Nordic Pass (which has the route tree-marked but not groomed).
Don_B: If you want, it is OK to just put the link right in your post. Thanks for the report!
Sounds like you were in that area that gets side loaded .
where mazama ridge, aspect west,directly east of paradise, elevation 6100' roughly my altimeter runs in 10' increments slope angle was 33deg . learned not to cook and post at the same time you tend to forget important info and oregano
Yes Sag -where ,Aspect and slope angle would be nice.
As part of a class on Sat we dug a rutcshblock on 30* west facing 5860' Edith basin . We failed the student cause he couldn't get it to budge !:-) Snow layers were as you describe but snow had drained. Were you above 6000' ? Of cousre every day and every different aspect it changes.Thanks for the report, Andy you too.
As part of a class on Sat we dug a rutcshblock on 30* west facing 5860' Edith basin . We failed the student cause he couldn't get it to budge !:-) Snow layers were as you describe but snow had drained. Were you above 6000' ? Of cousre every day and every different aspect it changes.Thanks for the report, Andy you too.
Where exactly did you do the pit, please :)
We skied Mazama Sat and Sun, mostly lower angle stuff down to Paradise Creek and the back bowl; I did ski 9-1-1 on the back bowl after 5 trips had been made down it (steep slopes to the north of the bowl)--had some short cracks propagating but all in all pretty stable; we had grauple falling on us both Sat and Sun and late in the day Sunday the sun began to peak out and temps went up. abc
We skied Mazama Sat and Sun, mostly lower angle stuff down to Paradise Creek and the back bowl; I did ski 9-1-1 on the back bowl after 5 trips had been made down it (steep slopes to the north of the bowl)--had some short cracks propagating but all in all pretty stable; we had grauple falling on us both Sat and Sun and late in the day Sunday the sun began to peak out and temps went up. abc
The reality was "went to Mazama Ridge and played in the Cascade concrete". Don't know the temp, but diffential above freezing.
thanks for the report think i'll head to mazama ridge tomorrow and play in the powder (i was worried i wouldn't get to say that again this year )thanks
The yurts are up McCully Basin at about 7400 ft. The basin is entered from the north on the same road as a little ski area - Fergusson Ridge, out of Joseph. Another popular trip is the Wing Ridge huts/yurts, which are south of McCully basin.
The McCully yurts are run by http://www.wallowahuts.com/
and Wing Ridge is at http://www.oregontrail.net/wingski/
The McCully yurts are run by http://www.wallowahuts.com/
and Wing Ridge is at http://www.oregontrail.net/wingski/
Great set of pics, russ! I was in there maybe 10 years ago, April I think. All I remember was that it snowed hard for 2 days of our 4 day trip and that it was damned cold during the storm. We were tenting it. Where are the yurts located? As I recall, it was a great location with lots of good terrain.
Ron it is a small world - I saw your report last July, so thought there was still time to ski the sw chutes. We went 2 weeks laters and camped in a sand basin below, intending to climb and ski the same route. Unfortunately a wind storm came in and as we were climbing early the next morning, the gusts were almost blowing us off our stance. I had a whippet, but my buddy only had ski poles. We decided about a 1/3 of the way up it was too risky that he was going to take a big slide, so we skied from...
http://pitkow.com/trips_2003-PowderCreek.html
Pictures.
Of course, ignore the silly ones. ;)
Pictures.
Of course, ignore the silly ones. ;)
Nice report, Great Pics, Russ.
Small world, too. I just happened to note that your friends, Carl and Lisa, skied my favorite run of all, the SW Chutes on Adams, on the very same day last year that Mad Dog and I skied them. Same trip right down to the Goats! (they got better goat pics than we did, however) :)
http://www.turns-all-year.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=tr0207;action=display;num=1031764279
Small world, too. I just happened to note that your friends, Carl and Lisa, skied my favorite run of all, the SW Chutes on Adams, on the very same day last year that Mad Dog and I skied them. Same trip right down to the Goats! (they got better goat pics than we did, however) :)
http://www.turns-all-year.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=tr0207;action=display;num=1031764279
I think it was those martinis you kept mixing up, Russ!
=8-O
=8-O
Yea Jim, I was being a little cautious in my reporting. First couple of runs on Monday we hit a glade that was probably 16"-18" of nice light powder. I just didn't want everyone rushing off think they find that everywhere in the basin.
BTW, I'm sure I saw Jim levitate a time or two in the yurt. He probably reached nirvana and can't remember it! ;)
BTW, I'm sure I saw Jim levitate a time or two in the yurt. He probably reached nirvana and can't remember it! ;)
In reply to David - yes that was me, but I guarantee I'm not enlightened (yet).
Also, we were in Mcully Creek Basin - not sure what the passes we got to were named. It's a moderate haul up to the basin floor (~2000vf, something like 5-7 miles one way), but there's a trail that obviously gets used a fair bit in the winter by the yurtniks. Once up into the basin proper, travel is indeed pretty straightforward through the trees. Never been to Bonney Lakes, so I can't compare. It looked like...
Also, we were in Mcully Creek Basin - not sure what the passes we got to were named. It's a moderate haul up to the basin floor (~2000vf, something like 5-7 miles one way), but there's a trail that obviously gets used a fair bit in the winter by the yurtniks. Once up into the basin proper, travel is indeed pretty straightforward through the trees. Never been to Bonney Lakes, so I can't compare. It looked like...
Yes, thanks for the photo links! Lots of great shots showing those of us who have never made it there (yet) what the terrain is like. The low snowpack is really striking, but it looks like the group found enough coverage to have a good time. The panoramas are great, too.
Thanks for sharing that awesome set of pics. Jim, is this you in the pic titled "D1_green yurt_Jim"? It looks like you've attained Buddah nature!
What was the name of the pass you headed to? It looks like the valley floor is less forested, thick, annoying than the route up to Bonney Lks.?
Since I'm a skin-flint, I'm going to pulk up my own tent and stove to the parking area up above Big Sheep Shelters soon-maybe. That or any other infinitude of tre...
What was the name of the pass you headed to? It looks like the valley floor is less forested, thick, annoying than the route up to Bonney Lks.?
Since I'm a skin-flint, I'm going to pulk up my own tent and stove to the parking area up above Big Sheep Shelters soon-maybe. That or any other infinitude of tre...
At least in my memory there was even more like 5-8" of powder on some of the slopes we farmed on the last day of the trip (when our visions of a reasonable return time to Seattle evaporated due to the thought of "hmm, when will we likely next see any snow like this??). It was a very fun trip which included some 4-500 vf slope farming on high ridges and glades as well as an awesome ski up a 9000+ ft peak with views of the Wallowa range and the ice fog that plagued the valleys while we e...
Bruce: Nice report; wished I'd been there! Good to see that you're getting out a little bit. I'm still hoping to find enough snow to go to Whitehorse Mtn. in May. See ya............Greg Lange
Matt,
If you short a skiing partner for tours such as this just let me know. I'm free seven days a week 24 hours a day and ready to tour on a moments notice. I'll be doing plenty solo trips this year if the weather and snowpack cooperate.
Darin
If you short a skiing partner for tours such as this just let me know. I'm free seven days a week 24 hours a day and ready to tour on a moments notice. I'll be doing plenty solo trips this year if the weather and snowpack cooperate.
Darin
Mark: My wife twisted my arm into booking a Snowater condo from 2/19-22. If it comes to pass, might you be able to sneak away for a day shot?
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Good to see you out and about.......Greg
Good to see you out and about.......Greg
I skied across it. Pole probes showed a few inches of snow on top of a few inches of slush, below that I was afraid to look. Walking across may not be recommended, but skiing was OK.
Just curious,
Was Snow Lake frozen enough to ski on yet?
Was Snow Lake frozen enough to ski on yet?
Maximum Slope angle on the Worm Flows route?
If you stay on the main climbing route that tens to be on ridgelines, then I would say about 30 degrees. There might be a few slopes near the top that are 35, but they dont last long. Hope this helps
If you stay on the main climbing route that tens to be on ridgelines, then I would say about 30 degrees. There might be a few slopes near the top that are 35, but they dont last long. Hope this helps
I was quite surprised to see tracks on the tour, especially since they were put in mid-week. Traversing Melakwa valley was a concern, but I made sure I left early and moved quickly (was at Melakwa Pass shortly after 11am before things got too warm). This is a great tour with good skiing accessible from it, scenic and secluded.
Matt
Scott:
What would you say is the maximum slope angle you encountered on the route?
What would you say is the maximum slope angle you encountered on the route?
This is such a great tour but I have never seen anyone on my trips there. The tour is also known as The Folklife Tour because you can normally ski it in May. Although I have only done it in May, it can have considerable exposure especially while traversing Melakwa valley and descending to Source Lake.Thanks for the update.
Zap
Zap
Hey markharf,
The NWAC mentioned turns-all-year in their monday detailed avalanche forcast because of your post about the remaining powder in the baker backcountry. way to go.
The NWAC mentioned turns-all-year in their monday detailed avalanche forcast because of your post about the remaining powder in the baker backcountry. way to go.
As all of us BC skiers age, it seems every year there is something new to deal with, (ache and pain wise). I have heard that yoga and pilates are a great way to keep in shape. I have not done yoga, but continue to do two to three days of weight training a week, and take a Pilates class. Yoga and pilates seem to be a very good way to keep the core strong, and with that core strength I feel you may be able to age a little more gracefully. At least we can only hope. ;...
Good report, Mark.
You DO seem to have a handle on the Baker goods.
You DO seem to have a handle on the Baker goods.
Ahhh...
Mark -- thanks for pointing me here so I can spend even more time in front of my monitor.
I guess Saturday was a good as it looked from the confines of the lifts. I hadn't skied since New Years Day, so I had to do something on a spring day in January. After all, I had a new helmet, goggles, and BCA hydration pack to try out. I'm also off to my annual visit to friends in Vail (I hear it's "the" place) next weekend. With very sorry conditioni...
Mark -- thanks for pointing me here so I can spend even more time in front of my monitor.
I guess Saturday was a good as it looked from the confines of the lifts. I hadn't skied since New Years Day, so I had to do something on a spring day in January. After all, I had a new helmet, goggles, and BCA hydration pack to try out. I'm also off to my annual visit to friends in Vail (I hear it's "the" place) next weekend. With very sorry conditioni...
Hi Greg:
Yep, that was me. All that whining I was doing about my knee on that trip in September turned out related to a torn meniscus and related damage, which kept me out of action until recently (didn't miss much, from the sound of it). I'm now back to a once-a-week-backcountry schedule, mostly up around this area, mostly Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Glad to ski with any or all of you again; get in touch through Pete or atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Hope you're enjoying...
Yep, that was me. All that whining I was doing about my knee on that trip in September turned out related to a torn meniscus and related damage, which kept me out of action until recently (didn't miss much, from the sound of it). I'm now back to a once-a-week-backcountry schedule, mostly up around this area, mostly Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Glad to ski with any or all of you again; get in touch through Pete or at
Hope you're enjoying...