TR Replies
Thanks for the report. Indeed, it has been nice to ski some real Cascade powder up at the pass this week! Feels like old times.
So just to connect this report back to the post from Gib on the start of the usual restrictions on uphill travel in the resort permit boundary, I'm guessing you guys got clearance from ski patrol on your plans for the day...
So just to connect this report back to the post from Gib on the start of the usual restrictions on uphill travel in the resort permit boundary, I'm guessing you guys got clearance from ski patrol on your plans for the day...
Lovely photos, as always Radka. It's interesting that snow scenes, even in color, often have a b&w feeling to them. But with Chris' colors added in they really pop!
Looks like a fun trip. -R
Looks like a fun trip. -R
Thanks for the head up, aaron_wright.
Here are a few pics and vids from the day!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/11723786@N06/albums/72157660114027973
https://www.flickr.com/photos/11723786@N06/albums/72157660114027973
Be careful back there, the terrain is pretty complex. If you were planning to traverse the north side of the knob from the spot where your photo was taken you will cross under a few avalanche paths that are almost always heavily loaded.
That was our first time in the area and we did come up by the XC trail. It was blowing hard and the Knob was pretty bony so we turned around. We were hoping to cross under the Knob and ski the low angle north slopes farther to the east.
I should be up in that area this weekend or next week. My thoughts are that there will be going snow in the vicinity but not necessarily at the pass. Exact location really matters in the 97 valley.
ha, coffee kicking in now, thought this was the other single skiier we saw out there at first- good to meet you up there. jealous of that short drive you got to the snow :)
Uh, that spot almost always looks like that, even in great winters. Is that the slope you were thinking of skiing? I assume you made your approach on the xc trail.
well said - I think we likely ran into you briefly on the frontside? great way to start a morning...
It was nice to chat with you Sunday - that was Cascadian Kim and I who met you on our way out. I'm looking forward to getting back up there when there's better coverage on the wind-scoured slopes.
Here's a photo of Cascadian Kim looking across at Windy Knob before making a hasty retreat into the trees.
Here's a photo of Cascadian Kim looking across at Windy Knob before making a hasty retreat into the trees.
Face shots (at least a few, on the front), and pretty ok on the back on the shady edge by the trees. Much drier than Saturday, and deeper. Was getting some wind loading near the top, particularly late in the day. Nice to see you up there Jake.
Stellar photos as usual, Radka! Thanks for taking the time to share them along with all the snow beta.
Looks like some Kendall ridge in that first shot! Gotta get there. Sweet pics
just a coincidence that Alpy employee and TAY poster 'Gib' was outside the lodge as we scooted by Saturday morning and he told us the news.
For the past few seasons, right before Alpental gets ready to open, he posts on TAY giving everyone a heads up that the resort is closing to uphill traffic. This year his announcement, posted Saturday morning, was in a thread previously started about uphill traffic at Snoqualmie, found here:
http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing...
For the past few seasons, right before Alpental gets ready to open, he posts on TAY giving everyone a heads up that the resort is closing to uphill traffic. This year his announcement, posted Saturday morning, was in a thread previously started about uphill traffic at Snoqualmie, found here:
http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing...
I was up there on Saturday as well, started up around 1pm and the snow was quickly piling up!
How do you know about up-hill being closed, is there an information page regarding that? Sorry, new to the PNW last year and as everyone knows, there wasn't much in the way of action with the dismal snowfall.
Thanks!
How do you know about up-hill being closed, is there an information page regarding that? Sorry, new to the PNW last year and as everyone knows, there wasn't much in the way of action with the dismal snowfall.
Thanks!
...though I am having a tough time making him out in the pictures. Perhaps if he wore some bright clothing? ;)
Seriously, nice photos! Debbie & I were with 50,000 close personal friends on the frontside of Stevens, shaking the rust out of our legs. Thanks for the reconnaissance.
-Dave
Seriously, nice photos! Debbie & I were with 50,000 close personal friends on the frontside of Stevens, shaking the rust out of our legs. Thanks for the reconnaissance.
-Dave
I was up on the 12th... and ya it was pretty soggy(but still snow, at least mostly) Saturday as well. Skiied till I ran out of dry clothes... which was 2 runs.
Amazing difference in coverage just from Saturday to Sunday around the Alpental environs, a thick blanket smothered many of the previous days bumps and dips making for much improved travel up and down.
Also a reminder that Alpental is closed as of yesterday to uphill travel as those bombs may go off at any time. So don't be stupid like the guy we watched skinning across the middle of Elevator Shaft.
Also a reminder that Alpental is closed as of yesterday to uphill travel as those bombs may go off at any time. So don't be stupid like the guy we watched skinning across the middle of Elevator Shaft.
We were doing the bombhole hop on the backside of Stevens yesterday ;) There is some reactive snow on the loaded south side of the ridge!
Nice to see Mr Chris skiing the way evolution intended him too again.
Booooom!
Same at Stevens. I think they have some surplus from last year.
Same at Stevens. I think they have some surplus from last year.
Well then... Nice to see you too. 😁 I thought you looked familiar Charlie.(guy with dog on road up)
I counted 20+, but a dozen where from an AAI avi class.
Ran into ajscott(you seen us and mutts on ridge above lake).
Skied with a group of 3 random most of the day.. No observations worth noting other then it was the best pow day I've had in far too long.
More please!
I counted 20+, but a dozen where from an AAI avi class.
Ran into ajscott(you seen us and mutts on ridge above lake).
Skied with a group of 3 random most of the day.. No observations worth noting other then it was the best pow day I've had in far too long.
More please!
That first picture is really nice! Almost better than Kristi's smile. (
A great day indeed!!! Thanks for the report, Charlie!
Just gotta show up early and look in the right places...before everyone else does. :)
Hummm.....not sure we were at the same place. Got there about 9. unclear during most of the day if we were engaging in a water sport or a snow sport.
But a excellent workout. The gym has nothing to replicate the workout of skiing chopped mashed potatoes
:)
But a excellent workout. The gym has nothing to replicate the workout of skiing chopped mashed potatoes
:)
author=telemack link=topic=35037.msg143801#msg143801 date=1450023798]
The road was open Friday but not Saturday? Odd. Heavy snow Friday night?
Congrats on getting up there at long last....
Yup. Fridays have been the most reliable for access. Wind I think has been the culprit. I don't envy the Ranger up there who has to manage the chaos with skiers in the backcountry, blizzard conditions, drifting snow in the lot, cha...
The road was open Friday but not Saturday? Odd. Heavy snow Friday night?
Congrats on getting up there at long last....
Congrats on getting up there at long last....
It was all about Denny Mountain today. we went up chair 3 and then from lower Nash on an ascending traverse to the top of Chair 1. From there up to Airplane Turn and Rollin, a short boot pack at the crux and on up to the top. Powder bowl was excellent and with a little creativity is was easy to navigate back to the top of Chair 1 and on out the way we came. The lower refrozen mank tank track groom on 3 even skied well as just enough snow had fallen during the day to make it doable. L...
Thanks for this report. I went a little ways up the winter approach from the upper parking lot on Fri 12-4 and turned around after about 15 mins, because of the tedious conditions you referred too. I was hoping it would be easier to get in/out by now. I'm guessing the never ending siege of booters and snowshoers are not helping the Snow Lake trail either.
I skied a couple laps under the Sessel chair as a retort, but the snow was heavy and and unconsolidated still.
I skied a couple laps under the Sessel chair as a retort, but the snow was heavy and and unconsolidated still.
After the "skiing" conditions here this past summer, I'm now convinced I can ski "anywhere" at any time of the year...
author=kamtron link=topic=34997.msg143717#msg143717 date=1449721195]
You know it's summer there, right?
The rockslide near Rimrock looks like it could be fixed much faster than the washout west of the pass. With a little luck perhaps they will open the eastside up to the resort for all of the Yak POW hounds.
Fingers crossed
Fingers crossed
author=Wad link=topic=35002.msg143720#msg143720 date=1449723623]
You may have to wait on hitting the new snow.
http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/u-s-shut-down-wsdot-warns-of-extended-closure/article_609d449e-9e8a-11e5-b169-0706db383895.html
I noticed that, Have yet to see anything about the weekend operations on White Pass's website. Thats a real blow to the bottom line as the road does not look anything...
You may have to wait on hitting the new snow.
http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/u-s-shut-down-wsdot-warns-of-extended-closure/article_609d449e-9e8a-11e5-b169-0706db383895.html
http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/u-s-shut-down-wsdot-warns-of-extended-closure/article_609d449e-9e8a-11e5-b169-0706db383895.html
You know it's summer there, right?
Skied the area Sunday and all of the Saturday trax were covered by deep snow. Summited the Hog at the end of the day after lapping chair 6 twice and saw a nice set of tracks someone left in the bowl from the top. Declined to follow them being too tired to think about hiking out. Fresh lines all day. Ran into two other guys in the afternoon. Can't wait for the chair to start spinning.
Cool, I knew there had to be a story. I was skiing Sunday with my 8+ y/o Golden Lab so I completely understand and would have done the same thing!!!!
author=Boot link=topic=35002.msg143688#msg143688 date=1449633490]
Bobby,
Lost my black Lab Joe last January. He'd been just about everywhere in the Olympics and Cascades with me and I miss him even more when the snow is flying. Video made me cry, but thanks for bringing back such great memories. There romping looks just like Joe back in the day; he was always happy, but more so in the mtns, esp the snow :). Cherish their unconditional love...
my dog blocked my turn, so I took one for the team!
RossMac, here is a grainy photo of the slab you kicked off (I think that's the one you mentioned).
Thanks -- your picture is the one that triggered when one of our party was skiing about 20 feet away. Scary!
Thanks -- your picture is the one that triggered when one of our party was skiing about 20 feet away. Scary!
Thanks for the vid! Did you hit the tree on purpose??? That was funny :-)
Bobby,
Lost my black Lab Joe last January. He'd been just about everywhere in the Olympics and Cascades with me and I miss him even more when the snow is flying. Video made me cry, but thanks for bringing back such great memories. There romping looks just like Joe back in the day; he was always happy, but more so in the mtns, esp the snow :). Cherish their unconditional love as long as you have em.
Lost my black Lab Joe last January. He'd been just about everywhere in the Olympics and Cascades with me and I miss him even more when the snow is flying. Video made me cry, but thanks for bringing back such great memories. There romping looks just like Joe back in the day; he was always happy, but more so in the mtns, esp the snow :). Cherish their unconditional love as long as you have em.
I'm so ready for a ski trip to South America! Bring on the Andes! Who wants to join me!?
Water skiing today on Baker!
author=peteyboy link=topic=34997.msg143676#msg143676 date=1449602201]Water skiing? :D
No hemispheric restrictions! If you're skiing, you're SKIING!