TR Replies
Hi Scott, did you by chance see a pair of scott ski goggles somewhere on the trail or in the trees. I lost my pair there a month ago and was hoping it wasnt buried under the snow.
Thanks
josh
Thanks
josh
That is funny. I had friends with a very similar experience at the blue lake trailhead.
Yes, I had also been wondering where you had gone, Zap, as you had been a regular contributor of useful trip reports. Congratulations on your foot's successful maiden voyages!
Thanks for the info, Nick. The several bits of info I've seen about Crystal this past weekend suggest that the ski area was really pushing it to open (the newspaper mentioned a graphic example - blood-stained snow on the downhill side of an exposed rock!).
Thanks for the report on your near-epic trip. From the State Patrol's note, it sounds like you wouldn't have been the first to spend an unplanned night on the wrong side of the gate? At least they were willing to check for survivors the next day!
Good report Mad_Dog - thanks for the details about the snowpack. After reading your last few reports, I'm thinking I should start following you two around so I will be in good snow. Looking forward to the photos!
Maybe you guys should think about Sunday's instead of Saturday's we seem to have lucked out so far.
Perhaps water skis or swimning trunks would have been of use? :D
Great report, zap.
Sounded like a great trip. Glad to hear you're back on the snow. Your reports on Brent's old site were always a source of great information and inspiration for me. It's great to have you back!
Sounded like a great trip. Glad to hear you're back on the snow. Your reports on Brent's old site were always a source of great information and inspiration for me. It's great to have you back!
Showed up at Paradise 'bout 9:30 a.m. today, nice steady moderate rainfall on top of 34 inches of snow; we didn't even stop, just circled the parking lot and headed down & home; we do have our winter ski cabin now up & running 1/2 mile from the Nisqually Entrance; last few weekends have been working weekends, we had hope this would be the skiing-christening weekend >:( but Tuesday is looking good ... ;) abc
Sounds like maybe the apre' ski beer got consumed a little early on that trip ;D
Even though I have had a time or two of sort of fun slogging through the wet snow and rain I don't regret not getting on skis Friday. Spoke to a friend who spent a hour thinking of a tour on Kendall knob road. 12 inches or so of wet slush low with a weak crust at 3600 or so where the snow got so heavy, sticky and wet they turned around for saner activities.
Charlesw
Charlesw
I was at CM yesterday for the opening day of the lift season and had much better snow on the Muir snowfield last Friday (12/6). I would highly recommend not paying for a lift ticket and driving and hiking as high as you can get before looking downhill. We are still more then a week away for good backcountry snowboarding days >:(
I am sorry to report that, contrary to my earlier claim, neither CharlesW nor I went to Snoqualmie Pass yesterday, so no TR. It just didn't look like it was going to be very much fun. Reading an account of opening day at Crystal in the morning paper makes me think we made a good decision - bad snow, little snow, edges caught on rocks, dislocated shoulders, bloody snow - now that sounds like fun!
Hey, thanks, Miguel. Been contemplating a Sunday destination and all info helps a bunch.
One last funny note on the X-tal to Chinook traverse. As usual, I spout off something and then only later go check to see if its correct. I said Burgdorfer notes it as an early trip, so I go look at the 'Best Time' and it says 'January to April'. Whaaat? says I. Then I look in the first edition and it says 'November;April' which is his 'either-or' notation. I wonder what made him change his mind?
Now I gotta go and check all the tours in common!
Have a...
Now I gotta go and check all the tours in common!
Have a...
Paul if this is a multiple choice question I will choose all of the above as far as all those things that age, time, and gravity take care of ;) ;D
As far as the new snow goes, I had to make a trip up to Buckley today (410 to Crystal Mt) and it was 63 degrees!! >:( What's up with that?
Ron I think "plan B" is definitely in effect now that Cayuse is closed.
As far as the new snow goes, I had to make a trip up to Buckley today (410 to Crystal Mt) and it was 63 degrees!! >:( What's up with that?
Ron I think "plan B" is definitely in effect now that Cayuse is closed.
Bummer >:(
I kinda had my heart set on getting up to Cayuse on Sunday and skiing Naches one more time. Oh well, there's a lot of mountains out there and now there's snow in some of them!
Guess we'll all have to invoke "Plan B".
BTW, David Lowery, thanks for the kind words.
Be careful out there, y'all.
I kinda had my heart set on getting up to Cayuse on Sunday and skiing Naches one more time. Oh well, there's a lot of mountains out there and now there's snow in some of them!
Guess we'll all have to invoke "Plan B".
BTW, David Lowery, thanks for the kind words.
Be careful out there, y'all.
It now looks like Cayuse is out for the season:
Cayuse Pass SR123
Elevation: 4675 ft (1425 m)
Temperature: n/a°F
Weather:
Road Surface Conditions:
Restrictions Northbound: CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Restrictions Southbound: CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Last Update: 1:00 PM, Dec 12, 2002
Next Expected Update: 4:00 PM, Dec 12, 2002
Cayuse Pass SR123
Elevation: 4675 ft (1425 m)
Temperature: n/a°F
Weather:
Road Surface Conditions:
Restrictions Northbound: CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Restrictions Southbound: CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Last Update: 1:00 PM, Dec 12, 2002
Next Expected Update: 4:00 PM, Dec 12, 2002
Thanks to all for the info above. Ronj, I do have Burdorfer's book, but I didn't even think to look in it. Thanks, it's much clearer now. I'm planning on Saturday morning though, so we'll meet up another day. Our route/skiing plans will probably be limited due to the avy conditions..it should be pretty bad out there.
I second that, and I enjoyed the photos, too. The shot of the fog filling the eastern valleys is spectacular. And nice job on the panorama! Doing a good job splicing those together can take quite a bit of time, and that one looks like it used a lot of individual frames.
Not only has it dumped all at once, but it is presumably overlying the "two to three inches of recent over a bombproof base and topped with a half inch of hoar" that people enjoyed skiing last weekend. And now it has gotten warm and rained. I just browsed the telemetry and forecasts, and it looks like the temps went above freezing last night with continued pptn everywhere - except Snoqualmie Pass, where east flow has kept the temp just below 32. It may be a foolish plan, but CharlesW a...
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
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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? ;)