TR Replies
The Wild Hearts are a continuing source of inspiration to me. They are at a much higher activity level than me and I'm 'only' pushing 40.
I have an old Prater book that mentions skiing in Morse Creek Valley, he mentions high avi danger. The few times I've been up in there, below Bear Gap, I was not pleased to be alone. Maybe along the ridgecrest to Sourdough is not so bad, but you still pop out on the highway below some nasty slopes.
Doesn't Burgdorfer recommend t...
I have an old Prater book that mentions skiing in Morse Creek Valley, he mentions high avi danger. The few times I've been up in there, below Bear Gap, I was not pleased to be alone. Maybe along the ridgecrest to Sourdough is not so bad, but you still pop out on the highway below some nasty slopes.
Doesn't Burgdorfer recommend t...
Mad Dog. What is that 'something' that happens as you enter those wonderful decades? Would it be mental? Physical? Or just an overall attitude problem? Perhaps something to do with knees ???, backs ??? or another part of the skiing body that will not cooperate like it use to >:(? Whichever way you look at it, it's an adventure 8)! Time to get out this weekend with all the new snow ;D.
As a snowboarder it is just too far to snowshoe >:( without carrying enough gear for a good overnight.
Shoot, it's to far on BC skis for the "older" group too. Beware, ;) something happens as you enter that wonderful 5th and 6th decade ;D ;D
Hey Ajjenkin,
Ronj is right - the path through Bear Gap would probably be the best path (IMHO) but be very prepared to deal with avalanches and an overnight stay ;)
As a snowboarder it is just too far to snowshoe >:( without carrying enough gear for a good overnight.
Ronj is right - the path through Bear Gap would probably be the best path (IMHO) but be very prepared to deal with avalanches and an overnight stay ;)
As a snowboarder it is just too far to snowshoe >:( without carrying enough gear for a good overnight.
Yep, they sure did, Ajjenkin. They're saying "Closed for the Season" for Chinook, "temporarily closed" for Cayuse.
Actually, I 'spect they reopen Cayuse for a while unless it really continues heavily dumping for a couple of more days.
From Cayuse the peaks around Chinook (mainly Naches and Yakima) are really nice tours... although its best to avoid the road (avy danger) with a new snowload. Burgdorfer describes the tour from Cayuse nicely. If you don't...
Actually, I 'spect they reopen Cayuse for a while unless it really continues heavily dumping for a couple of more days.
From Cayuse the peaks around Chinook (mainly Naches and Yakima) are really nice tours... although its best to avoid the road (avy danger) with a new snowload. Burgdorfer describes the tour from Cayuse nicely. If you don't...
Looks like they just closed Chinook...
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/road/mnts/mntbas.htm
Where do they usually close the road coming from the west side? I assume they usually plow a bit pass the turn off for Crystal Mtn.
Is there any poss. of getting up there when the road is closed (ie. long tour on the road, or a tour in from the ski area)? I've never been up there and was planning on going this weekend so any info is greatly appreciated.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/road/mnts/mntbas.htm
Where do they usually close the road coming from the west side? I assume they usually plow a bit pass the turn off for Crystal Mtn.
Is there any poss. of getting up there when the road is closed (ie. long tour on the road, or a tour in from the ski area)? I've never been up there and was planning on going this weekend so any info is greatly appreciated.
Hey Greg, I too enjoyed meeting all of you, thanks for your report. Maybe this weekend we'll have enough new coverage so I can get on my new boards, and give them a little dancing lesson!!
Here it comes!
;)Check out http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/Seattle/
;)Check out http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/Seattle/
Nice report, Greg.
Nice meeting you and your partners, too.
See you up there again.
Nice meeting you and your partners, too.
See you up there again.
Hummm...
CW, Thursday'll prolly be a pretty good call for Chinook.
Provided the don't close the highway by then ...
& provided there's not TOO much snow, &
provided the weather's not a howling blizzard ;D
I'd be up for it if I didn't have work to do (haven't quite knocked out my first million yet ;)).
There's bound to be some of the regular midweekers that could join you... CE?
CW, Thursday'll prolly be a pretty good call for Chinook.
Provided the don't close the highway by then ...
& provided there's not TOO much snow, &
provided the weather's not a howling blizzard ;D
I'd be up for it if I didn't have work to do (haven't quite knocked out my first million yet ;)).
There's bound to be some of the regular midweekers that could join you... CE?
Thanks, Ron. Yeah, when I was there about 10 days ago the south slopes of Yakima already had been reduced to sparse coverage. Forecast says 5-10" by tomorrow, and continuing pptn into the weekend with FL down to 3K. Yahoo!
Ron
Good to see the sking on Sunday, would have liked to been there. Who knows when they might close the road thinking about Thur.... 8)
Charlesw
We were on North and East aspects of Naches above the summer trail. Somebody up there said that they got some good runs on Yakima but it looked a bit bony to me. If the forecast pans out for the week it won't matter where we skied yesterday... it'll ALL be good.
Pray for snow ;D
Pray for snow ;D
New snow spraying from the skis - haven't seen much of that around here lately! I'm surprised the conditions were so good. I was looking at the photos trying to figure out where you were skiing - west facing Naches slopes above the road? This week is looking hopeful...
Nailed it!
Haven't got a clue why it wouldn't work before.
Nice report, Bill. I've been wondering what conditions were like up there. Thanks.
Haven't got a clue why it wouldn't work before.
Nice report, Bill. I've been wondering what conditions were like up there. Thanks.
Woo Hoo!
Hey Charles, my reply button worked on this one.
I'll check the other one.
Hey Charles, my reply button worked on this one.
I'll check the other one.
If we would have known how great Chinook was going to be today, we would have bagged checking out Corral Pass and Crystal just so we would have had more time at Chinook. ;D
Sooo sorry I didn't go ! Knee is not good enough to ski but plenty good for hangin sheet rock. DAMN! next week will be the test .
hey man thanks for the good news i'm headed up that way tomorrow its nice to see it wont be in vain
It has been reported to me that replying on this thread is not working, so I am just checking. If anyone ever has such problems, please let me know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Charles-
I drove over from Port Townsend on Friday PM, skied on Saturday and Sunday and headed back on Sunday PM. The drive is about 4 to 5 hours to Mazama (from Seattle), Hart's Pass is another 19 miles on dirt. Northern slopes were holding the snow, but only those that got some sun were softening to corn.
The bowl from Slate Peak is not a very long run, but there are plenty of others both North and South of the Pass.
Bill G
Bill G
I drove over from Port Townsend on Friday PM, skied on Saturday and Sunday and headed back on Sunday PM. The drive is about 4 to 5 hours to Mazama (from Seattle), Hart's Pass is another 19 miles on dirt. Northern slopes were holding the snow, but only those that got some sun were softening to corn.
The bowl from Slate Peak is not a very long run, but there are plenty of others both North and South of the Pass.
Bill G
Bill G
goodreport
I skied Harts a few summers ago in some cold drizzil......
always wanted to go back to check the view, did you do the dive in one day?? From where? how many hours? Which aspects were holding best??
Charles W
I skied Harts a few summers ago in some cold drizzil......
always wanted to go back to check the view, did you do the dive in one day?? From where? how many hours? Which aspects were holding best??
Charles W
Hey Charles, good to hear from you...You bet, I can't wait until the snow arrives...having to climb our volcanoes for snow this late in the year has definitely had it's toll on me. I'm all for the powder days and short jaunts up to our passes in order to earn those backcountry turns! ;)
Hey Van Popel with so much time on my hands and no snow i hadda say something! The rain this morning is refreshing lets hope it keeps up for the next four months!
Charles We de-skied several times from our high point however you could make the same run with only one or two removals,the majority of the old snow is now covered save a few patches here and there, likewise the rock bands which are mostly skiable.And Yes! Lets hope there is snow! Gotta try out my new fatties but not until suffi...
Charles We de-skied several times from our high point however you could make the same run with only one or two removals,the majority of the old snow is now covered save a few patches here and there, likewise the rock bands which are mostly skiable.And Yes! Lets hope there is snow! Gotta try out my new fatties but not until suffi...
A remote volcano, ailing knee, exhausted party member, breakable crust, and short days - it sounds like a near-epic trip! I'm glad everything worked out. You've been doing a bunch of major ski trips lately, David. Do you think you will slow down a bit when the snow starts to fall? ;)
She don't need no stinkin' kneepads - she's only got free-heels on the way up!
Paul, I'm curious about the coverage on the lower Muir, around where we skied on Oct. 31. Are all of the old snow patches now completely covered, or are there still dirty areas showing? How about the rock band at about 8000' - are there now new snow connections through it? Also, was there continuous snow from Pebble Creek to Pan Point, or did you have some de-skis?
I guess everything will now be frozen solid with the lower FLs. Maybe - hopefully - there will be a little snow from this cur...
I guess everything will now be frozen solid with the lower FLs. Maybe - hopefully - there will be a little snow from this cur...
excellent turns and conditions-----for July!!!!! ??? hey james (il naso) bond, do you like your snow martini shaken, not stirred? do the snow dance!
Sun screen 8) what's that? Just got back from Mexico, roasted to a golden brown, what would I need sun screen for ;D. After two weeks in Puerto Vallerta it sure felt good to be back on the mountain, finding some great snow, and yo-yoing to our hearts content.
"A clever skier will often find an oasis of good snow while the rest of the party -- within a few yards of him -- are struggling with crust." (Sir Arnold Lunn)
We did find our oasis on...
"A clever skier will often find an oasis of good snow while the rest of the party -- within a few yards of him -- are struggling with crust." (Sir Arnold Lunn)
We did find our oasis on...
Not only no Helmet but lack of pack and kneepads also! I'll bet she doesn't even have sunscreen on eh? No wonder they call her "Mad Dog" ;)
She's not wearing a helmet! ;) You all should realize with such low snow cover and such hard snow in places a helmet is worthwhile :D abc
You're right, Andy. There were some decent lines despite the meager coverage overall.
Here, Mad Dog's background gives all and idea of what's left of a few select spots:
Additional pics are at:
http://groups.msn.com/WildHeartsSkiing/paradisebottomfeeding.msnw
Here, Mad Dog's background gives all and idea of what's left of a few select spots:
Additional pics are at:
http://groups.msn.com/WildHeartsSkiing/paradisebottomfeeding.msnw
One of the advantages of knowing the area, like you, is to know where those snow "fixes" are. :D
You and Regine would have had a good time skiing, the snow was really good.
You and Regine would have had a good time skiing, the snow was really good.
Surprised we didn't see you from a distance; we just hiked high skyline w/o skis and wished we had brought them becuze there were quite of few nice snow patches. abc 8)
In light of the overwhelming demand ;), I set up a "Planned Trips - partners wanted" board in Hot Air (I deleted the "Test posts" board which seemed like a useful idea but wasn't being used). I think a single board might be easiest to browse and manage, but if it turns out a different arrangement would be better, I can easily make changes.
The management issue I foresee is dealing with expired threads. It doesn't seem like there is any real reason to keep posts past th...
The management issue I foresee is dealing with expired threads. It doesn't seem like there is any real reason to keep posts past th...
Great idea Amar!
Well, let me be the first to look for some ski partners-
During the winter I live at Alpental and would like to find partners for bc trips in the Area on Mondays. I work nights (5pm-2-3am), so it's pretty hard for me to get up early any day other than Monday, and Alpental is closed anyways Mondays (during the rest of the week I pull myself up when I can and hit the lifts).
So, anybody that wants to tour Mondays with me is very welcome. Last year...
Well, let me be the first to look for some ski partners-
During the winter I live at Alpental and would like to find partners for bc trips in the Area on Mondays. I work nights (5pm-2-3am), so it's pretty hard for me to get up early any day other than Monday, and Alpental is closed anyways Mondays (during the rest of the week I pull myself up when I can and hit the lifts).
So, anybody that wants to tour Mondays with me is very welcome. Last year...
Thanks, Charles.
That info is very helpful in these trying times :)
That info is very helpful in these trying times :)
Wow. Thanks Amar.
You just might have saved my bacon for Sunday.
I was considering skipping a ski attempt this weekend but now I might just give it a shot.
And I DO like your ski partners match up board idea.
Charles, it doesn't see like it has to be too complicated... maybe just another section ("Planned Trips - Matchup" ?) with the planned destination and date at the beginning of each new thread.
Maybe put it under "Random Tracks"??
Thanks ag...
You just might have saved my bacon for Sunday.
I was considering skipping a ski attempt this weekend but now I might just give it a shot.
And I DO like your ski partners match up board idea.
Charles, it doesn't see like it has to be too complicated... maybe just another section ("Planned Trips - Matchup" ?) with the planned destination and date at the beginning of each new thread.
Maybe put it under "Random Tracks"??
Thanks ag...
Amar, it sounds like you made a good call for turns. I had thought about Muir and decided that there might not be enough warming up above Pebble Creek, but clearly I was wrong about that. I was also feeling lazy and hoping to drive to skiable snow - it is late November, after all.
I think that is a great idea about a ski partners board. I'll have to think about what might be the best way to structure it, for ease of use and maintenance. Does anyone else have suggestions?
I think that is a great idea about a ski partners board. I'll have to think about what might be the best way to structure it, for ease of use and maintenance. Does anyone else have suggestions?
Thanks for the great info, David. It's disappointing to hear that the old snow has still been getting worse over the last month. I'm going to check out what's left of the new snow tomorrow, probably around Chinook Pass, and I'll report what I find.
Ron beat me to it - thanks for the additional info.
9K down to Pebble Creek is very good; Water is flowing over the snow so you want to de-ski there. A few more de-ski on the way down; the top first and second rock benches are bare. I think skiing is out of question (least for me) this weekend. The skiable part will be all frozen until next warm weekend.
Good info - thanks for the report. I wonder if your soft snow from yesterday is going to be turning into boilerplate this weekend with the lowering FLs? I'm also wondering about coverage above Pan Point - was it a continuous ski from 9K to Pebble Creek? To Pan Pt?
Charles
Charles
Thanks for the additional info. I can't get Saturdays for skiing right now, but that trip sounds great. Maybe need a bit more snow, or are you still aiming for this weekend? The web cam seems to show no snow at all at White Pass.
I can get next Tuesday (11/26) for skiing, if you still have that available. I'm hoping reports from this weekend will provide some good info on conditions. Also, I typically can get Friday, and often Wed. or Thurs. (not this coming Thanksgiving week, though).
I can get next Tuesday (11/26) for skiing, if you still have that available. I'm hoping reports from this weekend will provide some good info on conditions. Also, I typically can get Friday, and often Wed. or Thurs. (not this coming Thanksgiving week, though).
Here it is as promised. Arrived at the trailhead surprised to see another party of two getting ready. They left before we did, and except for hearing their voices in the fog later in the day, we were completely alone. Snow level Sunday morning was just about the elevation of the trailhead (3500ft), with a coating on the road and in openings in the forest. We hiked the trail upwards, switched to skins around 5000ft (although there was enough snow to skin on the trail befor...
Right--Regine's old catamounts on Kirstin (they were too long for Regine) and mine on Pete (I replaced them with Karhu Pavos). abc