TR Replies
The east-ish facing bowl is holding snow nicely as of the afternoon of 4/18. The snow in that bowl was getting pretty sticky and slow about 500' below the summit of Naches Peak. There's also plenty of snow on the north side (no surprise there). The south slopes seem to be melting out pretty quickly (again, no surprise) with large patches of bare dirt/rock open on the upper portions of Naches. The west bowl is holding up better and for now, there's a skiable ramp leading into the u...
Hey Zap - any intel on the snow depth and conditions up at the pass itself? How is it holding up this year with all the warm days. It is my favorite Memorial Weekend tradition for 20+ years. Thanks for making the first tracks this year and scoping it out!
We did it a few years ago and came out Indian Creek. Perhaps a bit more civilized than Lightning Creek/White River. One of my favorite trips ever.
Thanks for the report Kjell. Great to see you on here.
Sure is brown up high. Maybe it will get white this week.
here's to corn season, even if it's shorter than usual. one more from late June 2014 :)
2014 had a pretty snowy Spring, whereas we've had a hot and dry one. Seems like we're a month ahead of schedule with the melt
Well! Black Diamond decided to change their glue formula! That may explain why my skins began to fail only after two trips and perhaps deposited glue on my bases which made for some hideously slow descents. Looks like I'll keep the good old Magic Carpet skins and just use ski straps to hold them in place since I lost the parts that hook to the tail of my skis until I order myself a new set of Magic Carpets!
Great route. Didn't we do that tour together 4-5 years ago?
skykilo, sweet zone indeed. just got lost on your blog looking at trs from the area. woowee
Looks like and awesome trip. How broken up was the Clark Glacier?
author=Norseman link=topic=36538.msg148832#msg148832 date=1463470022]
That looks like 37 kick turns to my failing eyes. Nice work, Rando Commando :)
I was up for an early AM run on Sunday. Bummer I didn't run into you. All I did was up and down Spire Gully from the hairpin.
Inspiring. Thanks for the great photos!
Looks like a corny paradise. Mmm.
Awesome vid! I love that place. Thanks for sharing...
-Merk
-Merk
author=Aaron_Riggs link=topic=36526.msg148802#msg148802 date=1463419776]That's a great way to put it!
Your Aurora Borealis photos are peaceful and exhilarating, same as I think of skiing.
Glad our tracks were still of use to you. Nice job on the traverse!
Your Aurora Borealis photos are peaceful and exhilarating, same as I think of skiing. We saw your tracks on Friday and used what was left of your skin track. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you all! Happy to spread the joy of this unique experience.
author=Griff link=topic=36526.msg148797#msg148797 date=1463411523]Sure, go ahead! What's the page?
BTW - I like to feature your wonderful photography on what I call "The Monday Shot", on the Freeride team's FB page.
great trip and beautiful photos!
Yup, saw you guys in the parking lot at 4am... And then we saw you drop off the summit as we were walking across the plateau. Nice work!
WOW. Your photos are always good, but man those northern light shots are AMAZING. thank you for sharing!!!!
BTW - I like to feature your wonderful photography on what I call "The Monday Shot", on the Freeride team's FB page.
BTW - I like to feature your wonderful photography on what I call "The Monday Shot", on the Freeride team's FB page.
Nice vid and edit brother. Good song too. Thanks!!!!
BTW - I know Mike (and Jenn). Small world.
BTW - I know Mike (and Jenn). Small world.
Very nice trip and report. A week at Glacier Peak with all its amenities would not disappoint.
Thanks, kamtron!
The headwall definitely went a week ago. I think one could also get to Cockscomb Ridge, with some added creativity and complexity, by end-running to climber's left and traversing back, but unfortunately I didn't have a chance to explore and confirm that option.
The headwall definitely went a week ago. I think one could also get to Cockscomb Ridge, with some added creativity and complexity, by end-running to climber's left and traversing back, but unfortunately I didn't have a chance to explore and confirm that option.
Ok-I've answered my own question with your nwhikers photos. Looks like it's good to go!
Chris, Radka, and Amar,
Great trip and excellent photos as always!
I'm a little confused---was there a solid bridge/end run on the climber's left side of the bergschrund?
Thanks,
Kam
Great trip and excellent photos as always!
I'm a little confused---was there a solid bridge/end run on the climber's left side of the bergschrund?
Thanks,
Kam
Thanks for the additional pic and pointing out the saddle.
I was one of the day trippers who passed you by early on Thursday morning. We had a blast, but I certainly envy your leisurely trip! That place was a total corn farm, I'm glad you got to ski so many fun lines out there!
author=H2oskier link=topic=36515.msg148774#msg148774 date=1463350595]
How far down from the summit would you recommend traversing to access the north facing run to Copper Lake?
I've never skied toward Copper Lake, but I'm sure you would need to cross the 5560ft+ saddle NE of the summit of Vesper. That's 600 vertical feet below the summit. Getting there from the summit wouldn't be a traverse as much as it would...
Those west face runs look great and accessing them seems pretty straight forward. How far down from the summit would you recommend traversing to access the north facing run to Copper Lake? On a side note, my wife and I skied Vesper 14 days ago (Apr. 30 TR) and it is hard to believe from your picture that all of the snow has melted off that side hill at Headlee Pass? There was at least 3 feet of snow there two weeks ago. I know it has been warm, but it is still surprising...
The snow in your second photo looks terrific.
Looking at the map, I'd guess that your run from Disappointment Peak to 4700ft in Baekos Creek must rank right up there with the best corn snow lines in the Cascades. The way it curves westward as you descend is perfect for giving you good corn all the way down. Good eye!
Looking at the map, I'd guess that your run from Disappointment Peak to 4700ft in Baekos Creek must rank right up there with the best corn snow lines in the Cascades. The way it curves westward as you descend is perfect for giving you good corn all the way down. Good eye!
Hooray for a mini expedition! That sounds like a great trip, and the powder turns off the top, an absolute pleasure to even know someone was able to have that luck! Thanks so much for sharing the fun.
So rad! I must have stared across at GP 4 or 5 times this week wishing I was up there, I'm glad to know someone was making the most of it. Thanks for posting the conditions update.
not another cascadian video!
(though someone does fall in a creek in this one)
https://vimeo.com/166671179
(though someone does fall in a creek in this one)
https://vimeo.com/166671179
nice! looks like a great time. i myself am a proponent of the slow and steady... but recent experience has convinced me that despite aggressive rationing, it's hard to carry enough whiskey to last past six days.
I say, the job done right! Hoping to spend some "days" myself sometime soon.
NEW LINK HOPE IT WORKS
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90415057@N06/albums/72157665946797724
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90415057@N06/albums/72157665946797724
Washout can be driven around easily, and now the blocking log higher uphill is gone. Thanks Brian.
Fun times! DaveB and I had a delightful sunset lap. Nice to see the tribe coming together out there.