TR Replies
Some more shots from day 1-2, from Ben.
Hop turns
Hop turns
I like it! Nice job figuring out a safe way to get all members down the steeper section.
Very nice! Can't believe I'm the first to comment on this TR. Killer terrain you have down there in your backyard.
Hey Marty,
I would say there is certain avvy danger just before the lake. I only traveled with him on his last attempt but the weather that day was following a warm rainstorm the day before and so we both felt comfortable approaching it afterward with a forecast of cooling. The main avvy chute that the trail first approaches was pretty settled and had a lot of debris which was a good sign but as we neared the lake the crust about a foot down became less bomber. By the time we called i...
I would say there is certain avvy danger just before the lake. I only traveled with him on his last attempt but the weather that day was following a warm rainstorm the day before and so we both felt comfortable approaching it afterward with a forecast of cooling. The main avvy chute that the trail first approaches was pretty settled and had a lot of debris which was a good sign but as we neared the lake the crust about a foot down became less bomber. By the time we called i...
author=jwplotz link=topic=35791.msg146346#msg146346 date=1455729448]
With what did you spike your tea Jake?
PBr.....
I think the rain is bringing gout my dormant troll. Apologies Silas, it's the pineapple flavoured pbr troll fuel. I will exercise restraint, whatever that is!
Thanks Ben, great photos and writing! Looking forward to some more spring turns with you. The north side of Shuksan needs to be slain!
Sam - respectfully... Check that trail out in summer or on Google earth. I have traveled extensively in that area and the approach (up to Upper Lena) could be an area of significant hazard from slides.
One year in July I went to Upper Lena - full-on pack with float tube, waders, fins, etc. to fish, only to find the lake frozen. It was great training - in and out in one day. I think that (for me) in and out in one day to bag the peak, with ski gear, would be too much. Type # fun maybe...
One year in July I went to Upper Lena - full-on pack with float tube, waders, fins, etc. to fish, only to find the lake frozen. It was great training - in and out in one day. I think that (for me) in and out in one day to bag the peak, with ski gear, would be too much. Type # fun maybe...
Day 2 brought another early morning start the plan was to ski something off Prospector. Ian above the lake
SkyKilo doesn't slow down. He accelerates forever.
If anyone would like to see a couple more photos, I finally got around to getting a post up!
http://www.glaciergospel.com/?p=51
Cheers,
Ben
http://www.glaciergospel.com/?p=51
Cheers,
Ben
It would appear that Jake, yesterday (the 16th), responded to a now edited TR titled with a date of the 17th (one day in the future) from whence it was posted.
author=Jake the Brit link=topic=35791.msg146341#msg146341 date=1455688535]
Time travel? Since you now know that tomorrow will suck, you can stay and your report will never be posted, which means that none of this will ever happen! I wonder if my cup of tea will disspear too?
..or maybe you went tomorrow anyway to ensure this continuum remains intact, and I still get my tea.
oh rainy day~!
With what did you spike your tea...
Well, if you can't ski, you can always find a good beer to drink in Bend, I would suggest a RPM.
That looks like a great trip, good turns, and a great line, thanks the post and pictures.
Time travel? Since you now know that tomorrow will suck, you can stay and your report will never be posted, which means that none of this will ever happen! I wonder if my cup of tea will disspear too?
..or maybe you went tomorrow anyway to ensure this continuum remains intact, and I still get my tea.
oh rainy day~!
..or maybe you went tomorrow anyway to ensure this continuum remains intact, and I still get my tea.
oh rainy day~!
You might have caught it just right. A warm Chinook wind came up Sunday night and has melted most everything down low around here. I'm sad to see it go but it's like the snows of yesteryear. We've had lots of tours at Elk Heights, Manastash and Umtanum Ridges. Time to start moving westward.
Careful with that Axe, Eugene! Err, Aaron...
Great TR, had all the elements - racing the weather, choice line, great vibe. Thanks for the run!
Great TR, had all the elements - racing the weather, choice line, great vibe. Thanks for the run!
Glad to see that you are skiing again in NM which has a big year. That PhD is slowing your backcountry side of you. ;)
Great first trip report. " the summit ridge was airy" . He'll yeah, heh heh, I still pucker up thinking about it.
Telemack sign language: One hundred one months? WOW!
Whenever I see reports of, "40 mph" gusts of wind, with 20 mph sustained wind, I'm a little skeptical, especially recalling Amar's post a few years back about wind gust exaggeration. I wish I could find that...
Excellent. We were also very happy to find very similar conditions in the Crystal backcountry yesterday.
I was not paying attention, of course not a Chickadee, but a got something for me Gray Jay.
That same chubby little guy was there on Tuesday.
Thanks for the post, I really like the pic of the Chicakadee on the ski tip. It looks like we will all have to adjust our skiing with the warm up here in the PNW, Boo Hoo!
Nice trip report. Sunday was definitely a joyful day on Mt St Helens.
The only thing missing from your report was the summit engagement :D
Think she said YES to the guy.
The only thing missing from your report was the summit engagement :D
Think she said YES to the guy.
Skied the lower slopes of Silver on Tuesday - 4" of corny potatoes. Lots of crust in the shade but great skiing out in the sun. Luged out the snowshoe approach trail which was sporty at times, but easier running for the dogs than the crust/mush off trail in the woods.
The Upper Nisqually can be sooo good. Here is a photo from early June, 2009. Nice carvable snow at that time. It was a good couple of snow years during the 2009 - 2010 era, but give it some time to cook and head back!
Nice adventure & cooperative spirit!
author=kamtron link=topic=35734.msg146186#msg146186 date=1455135773]
Nice work, I'm glad you got good snow in the Finger. Summit or no?
No summit, we were moving a bit too slow and the snow on the upper nisqually really wasn't worth the effort
author=kamtron link=topic=35714.msg146107#msg146107 date=1454965071]
The glaciers are in good condition, and the Finger and Thumb looked smooth. There is a bergschrund on the Thumb but it looked passable. Two dudes were heading that way to attempt the Finger tomorrow as we headed out. However, I believe you are correct that the chutes will not have enough time to properly consolidate with the rapid warming on winter snow. So I can imagine some avy potential or...
Nice work, I'm glad you got good snow in the Finger. Summit or no?
Awesome to meet you guys! Thanks for the good times and help with our friend in the chute, what a day!
Great picture! I really like the ski down from the Hogsback after climbing, its a very enjoyable grade for ripping big turns.
Thanks for the post, and the sunrise shot, looks like you hit it perfect.
Thanks for the TR, and the great pictures. I have been wondering how things are on St Helens.
"Sure is better than walking down after a climb."
;)
;)
Amen Brother Hagedorn!
I should start posting more ;)
But 4 kids, full time job, wife in grad school, and me studying the AMGA way... sometimes I'm too tired.
I should start posting more ;)
But 4 kids, full time job, wife in grad school, and me studying the AMGA way... sometimes I'm too tired.
:)! Mighty fine photo, too.
A friend and I ascended near Tato Falls in ~2009, probably climbers' left of the waterfall, then mostly uphill along Gary's route. I remember there being quite a few plants down low. It's perhaps telling that I've not been back; I have a pretty high tolerance for thrashing, too. We would've been worried about getting cliffed had we traversed that far along the moraine; perhaps it's time to try again...
Our group was skiing Muir, and watched what I think is the same avy you mentioned. It happened right as a group (I assume it was you guys) was starting up the Wilson.
I've crossed that steeper slope you mentioned quite a few times, and wished there was a safer, lower angled approach to the Wilson, Fuhrer finger, etc. Maybe I'll have to check out that "dream bowl" route sometime.
I've crossed that steeper slope you mentioned quite a few times, and wished there was a safer, lower angled approach to the Wilson, Fuhrer finger, etc. Maybe I'll have to check out that "dream bowl" route sometime.
author=ps44 link=topic=35713.msg146118#msg146118 date=1454981066]
Thanks for the conditions update. Nice pictures. How much snow is lower down at the snopark level?
Thanks. I'd say there's a couple feet at the Sno-park level.
author=myikat link=topic=35713.msg146121#msg146121 date=1454987346]
Those look like tele turns?
Nope, just some cautiou...
author=telemack link=topic=35684.msg146031#msg146031 date=1454782459]
"Hurricane" Hendrickson strikes again!
Strikes out might be more fitting :) Snow begins at about 1.5 miles from the Ranger Station which is exactly where the Park used to block off the road for winter access.
I don't know why I didn't use the bicycle. It would have made the ascent and decent much more enjoyable.... Next time...
Thanks for the conditions update. Nice pictures. How much snow is lower down at the snopark level?
I camped at the lake a few times this summer for something easy to get out of the city and the whole time I was thinking, "Damn this would be fun with some snow on it". Nice write up.
author=vogtski link=topic=35714.msg146112#msg146112 date=1454971058]
Can't speak directly to your route finding question, but FWIW here's my attempt to show a much safer, though over a 1000vf longer, route to the upper Wilson starting from Glacier Bridge:
http://www.hillmap.com/m/ag1zfmhpbGxtYXAtaGRychULEghTYXZlZE1hcBiAgIDQiMm5CQw
I'm digging the Dream Bowl! It's a zone I've checked out a lot from Par...