TR Replies
yep-crusty where sun exposed, and good snow down low for sure
Stoke was high with all the awesome snow! Yes we went to the bottom of the Diver and then out over the saddle at Gem Lake.
similar experience near bryant. fairly reactive 25cm windslab on e/ne aspect and recent slide activity. good snow down low
We were in the area too. We noted sensitive wind slabs near ridges on lee slopes, gusts to ~40mph on exposed ridges, some thin solar crusts on steeper south slopes from Mon and Tues. East pass flow was strong and turbulent enough to be coming from multiple directions N - E - S depending on local topography. Still excellent powder on sheltered slopes.
Dude, that is hauling for a full circumnav of chair peak with the holy diver! Did you run the diver out and come back over the saddle at gem lake?
author=Robie link=topic=37302.msg151269#msg151269 date=1481774383]
musta been cold !
Too cold to stand around and make a sandwich.
Robie - when are we going to go skiing again?
author=solsoul link=topic=37290.msg151258#msg151258 date=1481754291]
How long did this loop take you?
We left the car at 6am and were back by 12:45pm. I bet it would be faster now that a skin track is in. Have fun!
How long did this loop take you?
Old man..I was hoping your memory would kick in for that epic shot!
Love that zone and you hit it at the right time. The wind slab at the top always gives me the hebbie jebbies. Thanks for the local TR.
Boy, that azure blue sky sure looks like the medicine I need. Thanks for posting, and setting the hook. I need to get out and get some of that!
Nice! There was a similar effect seen from Stevens; I would call it the Sky River but I guess that already exists and is in the other direction....
Was up there as well - think we crossed paths briefly on the way out... that treewell at the end of the vid looks scary!?
I had a pole get snagged in some shark-branches and had to get back up about 15'. Was quickly obvious that unclicking and booting would be easier.... or so I thought... took several minutes of high energy uphill swimming. Really made me stop and think about what would happen if I *needed* to get anywhere uphill quickly.
Fun skiing!!
I had a pole get snagged in some shark-branches and had to get back up about 15'. Was quickly obvious that unclicking and booting would be easier.... or so I thought... took several minutes of high energy uphill swimming. Really made me stop and think about what would happen if I *needed* to get anywhere uphill quickly.
Fun skiing!!
How was the tour up, usually it's filled with lots of brush this time of year
love the south-facing cold smoke on these short december days.
Better the next day but still road skiing. Off road very soon.
The Lake Ellinor couloir is safest later in season. Snow Bell and I skied it to above the lake once. Approach from the summit.
I found this TR using a really antiquated search method called "memory":
http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=15705.0
I found this TR using a really antiquated search method called "memory":
http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=15705.0
"You will find several old TR's on this site with route beta using the search function"
That's sooo a decade ago!!
That's sooo a decade ago!!
That looks like a really fun spring summit ski.. Get some!
I have skied the south routes - the chute and the basin that is farther west of the chute route. I have also wanted to ski from the summit to the northeast down the prominent chute, towards lake "Ellinor" - see attached image. I like this Peak in the Spring when there is more sun and the avalanche potential drops.
You will find several old TR's on this site with route beta using the search function.
As far as current information: there was snow on the beach this morning so no doubt you'll have a very long approach to the trailhead if you opt to go soon.
As far as current information: there was snow on the beach this morning so no doubt you'll have a very long approach to the trailhead if you opt to go soon.
Actually last winter was "new policy" with it plowed out. Historically it has not been plowed as it technically is in an avalanche run out path.
author=Gary_H link=topic=37214.msg151052#msg151052 date=1481225709]
the road crew this year is working very hard to see that the road opens whenever possible, they defiantly have a "can do" attitude and are getting good support from the Ranger staff.
Hi Gary: did you notice that the Switchback "parking" area wasn't plowed? I hope that's not a new policy. N
Thanks , that pic looked like a slab , super helpful for you to fill in the blanks . :) X
I spent most of the day in the ski area as it was our opening day and I was patrolling. Got one lap west of the Victoria Overlook down into Walkout Gulch at the end of the day. Good snow, although there was a bit of a crust from Friday below the 12" of new storm snow, a bit sluffy in steep spots, no slabs.
We skied Maggies the previous Sunday, it was as good as it gets.
I will say that the road crew this year is working very hard to see that the road opens whenever...
We skied Maggies the previous Sunday, it was as good as it gets.
I will say that the road crew this year is working very hard to see that the road opens whenever...
The ridge road opened as scheduled I think around 10:00 with no early shut down. BUT if you are headed this way especially from afar have a plan B in the event of a road closure! It's bad enough having to drive an hour to be turned around because of a broken down plow or weather change. I wouldn't plan a vacation around it unless a high pressure system is going to be around for a while.
author=SKIER-X link=topic=37206.msg150997#msg150997 date=1481075940]
What's the difference between a slab and a slough ? Do sloughs have crowns and a bed surface ? X
Slabs are cohesive layers that slide on a bed layer and break up into smaller, cohesive chunks. Loose, dry slabs break up super quickly. I didn't see the slide one of my partners set off, but thinking more about it, it'd probably be m...
author=WillderDude link=topic=37206.msg150976#msg150976 date=1481036432]
Great trip report and it was indeed a PHENOMENAL day on Sunday!
Your track is super helpful. What app is it? I use Gaia but would like to be able to have the caltopo slope angle shading.
Thanks! I use Backcountry Navigator on Android, but really any app that can export *.gpx files works. I import the *.gpx file into caltopo and overlay...
If you get up In the 97 area a lot I'd like
To join sometime. I often ski alone and I'd like to learn more areas. I know some great spots as well. I'm a part time resident of the canyon. PM me if you like. My daughter lives there all the time now so I'll probably be up more often this season.
Brian
To join sometime. I often ski alone and I'd like to learn more areas. I know some great spots as well. I'm a part time resident of the canyon. PM me if you like. My daughter lives there all the time now so I'll probably be up more often this season.
Brian
author=Amar Andalkar link=topic=37188.msg150892#msg150892 date=1480736100]
A minute later I was again surprised to see a pair of snowshoers ascending up my skintrack near 8500 ft, with heavy overnight packs and largely destroying the skintrack as usual. I asked them if they were running a GPS track, since a storm was coming in overnight which would bury the skintrack completely, they would be descending in whiteout conditions the next day, and I had intentiona...
What's the difference between a slab and a slough ? Do sloughs have crowns and a bed surface ? X
Thanks for the report. What time did the road open? 12/2 and 12/3 would have been a big disappointment for any non-local visitors.
Thanks Gary:
Link fixed..I hope! We skied the southeast shoulder. How was it in your neck of the woods. Parking zone full down there on the way up. Find some untracked snow? :)
Link fixed..I hope! We skied the southeast shoulder. How was it in your neck of the woods. Parking zone full down there on the way up. Find some untracked snow? :)
It was a beautiful day up there. Which aspects did you ski? Your link didn't work for me.
Gary
Gary
Great trip report and it was indeed a PHENOMENAL day on Sunday!
Your track is super helpful. What app is it? I use Gaia but would like to be able to have the caltopo slope angle shading.
Your track is super helpful. What app is it? I use Gaia but would like to be able to have the caltopo slope angle shading.
Wow,Silas, that sounds like a great day, I have not been out for a while, Mike and I hiked a few days ago near Mission, he took skis, I did not. It is starting to add up over here, but nothing like you are getting. Had some good reports from Stevens environs, and I'm sure WA pass is good.
Conditions up there were crazy good today as well. Good visibility, DEEP smokey pow, and lots of untracked to go around. Thanks for the report.
Maybe the best conditions I've ever been lucky enough to experience! I thought the snow was VERY stable given how new it was and how much there was - pretty rare combination of factors to get a day like Sunday!
Thanks for posting this. 'Twas a great day up there!
Went up Snoqualmie Mtn. today, awesome snow; 24-30 inches of right side up snow, with an additional 6 inches throughout the day. Saw no signs of instabilities, but limited ourselves to lower angles slopes. Go get it!
http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=37117.0
Not sure whom cut the skin track between Felsen and Snake Dance but it was exceptional. Topped out near Knoll 1. Had an excellent view of Upper International which was untracked. After some discussion and deteriorating weather opted to ski down Lower I not further in the BC. Started just east of Widow Maker and continued high and straight to get to Lower I Lots and lots of snow. If I had to guess 3 plus feet of new. We were all 108 mm under foot but needed at least 130 to float. Skiing lower I...
Missing me some East Peak pow laps right now!!
It was such an amazing weekend!! Both resort and bc were incredible.