TR Replies
Based on your other TRs it sounds like a great few days even if Snowdome didn't pan out.
A friend and I were up there on the 13th and the glacier was passable but we were surprised how many crevasses were already open. We made it to the top of Snowdome and had a great ski down but the glacier crossing was indeed sketchy. I got a picture of the bench from above.
A friend and I were up there on the 13th and the glacier was passable but we were surprised how many crevasses were already open. We made it to the top of Snowdome and had a great ski down but the glacier crossing was indeed sketchy. I got a picture of the bench from above.
Climbed NFNWR on 6/21, and pretty floored at how much smaller the bridge is. There was a good rail for feet and place to stick tools above you, but it's much smaller than the original picture in this thread, and probably not skiiable. The tracks actually curretnly look like someone aired the top gap before turning on the bridge, which I can tell from the original picture isn't the case.
(shot below isn't the best angle, but my buddy is above the shrund already... the b...
(shot below isn't the best angle, but my buddy is above the shrund already... the b...
Was up there yesterday... 6/21, and while I was already in full bonk, even those with all the capacities agreed the summit crater skied like an inclined potholed sidewalk. There weren't a few ice cookies, it was all ice cookie.
Chutes were firm up high but good down below (friend went down them). I skiied the south side which was also firm up high (winds kept it hard) but softened about 1/3 way down Piker's. Then it was suncup game of finding the path where some other sucker...
Chutes were firm up high but good down below (friend went down them). I skiied the south side which was also firm up high (winds kept it hard) but softened about 1/3 way down Piker's. Then it was suncup game of finding the path where some other sucker...
Welcome to TAY, Kyle. Thanks for the report. I love skiing in the enchantments. I heard it was pretty crowded up there this weekend. Sounds like you were the only skiers though. I hope I bump into you in the mountains some time.
author=kneel turner link=topic=34367.msg141860#msg141860 date=1434739983]
BTW, was that another NTN breakage?
YES :(
Historically, high freezing levels and hottest days of the year scenarios haven't made a difference from what actually occurred. I skied that line in early July 2004 (hot day temp wise, and it had been hot multiple days prior). Dropping in right off of the pinnacle, it was frozen, knee-high penitentes. Made for a fairly nerve-racking entrance onto the face.
We avoided that last schrund with a ten-foot rock walk to continue the NWR proper. Easy-peasy on the west side.
Glad to hear that all went well!
It's my general impression that when the newspaper and weather forecasters use the words "hottest days of the year so far", people have reasonable experiences on north-facing things up high. I'm no north-side expert, but the 14-15k FL we had made me feel pretty good going into planning.
Glad to hear that all went well!
It's my general impression that when the newspaper and weather forecasters use the words "hottest days of the year so far", people have reasonable experiences on north-facing things up high. I'm no north-side expert, but the 14-15k FL we had made me feel pretty good going into planning.
Mack,
Glad you got some. Bummed I couldn't make it.
BTW, was that another NTN breakage?
Glad you got some. Bummed I couldn't make it.
BTW, was that another NTN breakage?
author=heinzsd link=topic=34377.msg141843#msg141843 date=1434644674]
I'd be curious to hear from those of you that went up last weekend to understand what you look for in the forecast to know when skiing the line looks good.
I wasn't there last week, but when I skied that line I was looking for:
1. Freezing levels at or above the summit ~13k
2. No wind forecast
3. Enough warm days since previous snow for...
That last pic looks like a framer. Sounds like a great trip!
Great photo's, the last one really says it all. Rockin'
The two pairs of skins thing is from skimo racing - because the skins only cover about 3/4 of your ski they don't have tail clips, so if the glue fails you are done. During a skimo race most people carry two pairs of skins so they can keep the glue warm on one pair while they are using the other and alternate skins for each climb. I brought two pairs because I was worried that the glue would wet out and stop sticking. I would have needed both pairs if there were any big climbs on the ret...
I am curious, what would be the rational behind a second pair of skins? Any chance I can get your .gpx tracks?
Oh no ! You two are the gift that keeps on giving !!
Good reminder to always look under the vehicle before driving down when in the Marmot Zone. They will chew through brake lines as well.
I wonder if it will still be skiable on July4th...I suppose by then the whole section from the summit to disappointment may be barren pumice. I may need to bring a bear canister for my socks and shoes.
Congrats on nearing 4 years of TAY! Thanks for the Daniels update. On the 7th, one week earlier, you could ski to your camp spot.
For comparison, here is what the snow condition looked like on the three previous years around the same time of year:
July 22, 2012
July 14, 2013
For comparison, here is what the snow condition looked like on the three previous years around the same time of year:
July 22, 2012
July 14, 2013
COOOOL. I think you are going to all the places I wish I could go had I the time! Thanks as always for sharing the beta.
Thanks for posting Kenji! Great photos as usual.
The snow that we did find was of remarkably good quality!
David
The snow that we did find was of remarkably good quality!
David
author=arb link=topic=34358.msg141790#msg141790 date=1434094283]
- Marmots ate my liner socks, scattered and chewed my running shoes, and absconded with one of my gaiters while I was "away". Apparently I should have brought a pet fox instead of my technical mountaineering gear.
Totally feel you there. We got back to the car after a long two-day attempt (stopped 800' short of the summit by the only clo...
Wildflowers are popping big-time at Paradise right now. I'd get out there!
Any wildflowers? We usually go for the flowers in early August, but the way this year is going...sheesh.
author=kamtron link=topic=34359.msg141823#msg141823 date=1434402272]
The Paradise is currently cupped-out, Cori. It was sad how much the quality degraded over the last week.
REALLY? Man, July/August/September turns are going to blow this year.
The Paradise is currently cupped-out, Cori. It was sad how much the quality degraded over the last week.
Wow, significant meltage since just last weekend! And even then I thought it was quite skimpy...
Uhg. I love you guys and I'm sad I didn't get to spend the day with you, but I'm not sad I missed the hiking and the schmoo. Let's ski the Paradise next time!
Zap, we skied Beartooth pass the next day, and saw your camper van group on our way to the pass, we guessed 30! I took a run at the little ski area (not operating because of low snow) and climbed back to the road just as a thunder storm closed in. Fooled around for an hour drove down the road toward Cook City, checking out possible lines, weather did not cooperate and finally managed to sneak in one more short run, before continuing on to Yellowstone. Great fun!
Thanks for putting out the invite, and for writing the report!
Here's the YT link for the vid: https://youtu.be/uMK4LNCLX6E
Here's the YT link for the vid: https://youtu.be/uMK4LNCLX6E
You guys look great! Nice job skiing in the two states. Let us know when the film makes it debut - it would be fun to hear your stories.
Rusty
Rusty
yeah Zap & Jill! you guys need to get sponsored by Roadtrek :)
Those rascals. I gave them a taste of the shoe salts two summers ago. They devoured a couple socks and started in on the trail runners while I was away at the summit.
Amazing trip and video. Jtack, Ben Sidor and I saw your tracks across Pea Soup Lake last weekend. You two are braver than me. Those tracks made me shiver. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the update. Good to hear you can still ski from the car somewhere!
Hell Yeah! Way to broaden the definition of "day trip!" I essentially did the same thing about a year ago, and the marmots got into my stash too. My water bottle was toast, my trail runners were a little torn but still usable, and they did this to my steri pen. Apparently there's untapped nutritional potential in plastic and lithium ion batteries.
Very Nice.
Don't ever underestimate the little buggers...
Don't ever underestimate the little buggers...
Yes, I did it as a day trip, but I was using full skimo race gear, which has changed the game for me (and everyone else that I know who uses it). 5 years ago this would have been a soul-rending epic death slog for me, using skimo gear and techniques I was able to enjoy the day without killing myself. That said, I was pretty excited to eat solid food and sit down when I got back to the car!
Screen captures of my route to glacier pass, on the last photo I drew a red line whe...
Screen captures of my route to glacier pass, on the last photo I drew a red line whe...
Photos of the Cool Glacier. After crossing onto the Cool I moved to the left off the boot pack back onto the ridge of disappointment peak in an attempt to minimize my time on the glacier. There was still lots of snow on the ridge and it should ski nicely for a while.
Back before dark...
Did you do this as a day trip!?
wow.
Did you do this as a day trip!?
wow.
??Amazing photos folks... Charlie that last one of the sunset is off the hook!!
runningclouds... our party did not ascend through the crater, we merely skied down into it from the summit. The crevasse across the top of the Easton wasn't a significant obstacle while climbing. We skinned around the west edge of it with ease, though a week's worth of hot temps may have changed that by now.
Nice! I imagine skiing into the crater was much better than dealing with the (reported) crevasse detour on Roman Wall. I have to try it nex time ;). Thanks for the TR.