TR Replies
author=androolus link=topic=34042.msg140527#msg140527 date=1428207735]
After Amar's report from 4/2, I expected a TAY herd munching on the powder on the NE facing slope above the cowlitz.
....but yo it is a long slog up the paradise valley to get there.
That's the main reason I felt OK about posting a glowing TR about skiing powder there. It has a significant barrier to entry that will keep the herds away, especiall...
"There were a lot of blowouts on the skin trail, damn splitboarders."
???
???
Our touring group got up to Chinook Pass around 9 am. We scrapped our original plan to try and attack the Sheep Lake Couloir due to very minimal coverage on southern facing slopes (not sure why we thought that might work). We had no idea how you would even begin the approach from Chinook Pass let alone even if we could expect snow after what would have likely been 1,000+ feet of hiking dirt and rocks.
We instead decided to lap the northern facing slopes off Naches Peak. Starting out f...
We instead decided to lap the northern facing slopes off Naches Peak. Starting out f...
author=silaswild link=topic=34040.msg140519#msg140519 date=1428192025]
Blue skies, light breeze, and 4-8" fresh soft powder was found today on north and east slopes of Naches Peak. South slopes had very little coverage. Plenty of untracked lines for the 50-100 visitors today.
On the other side of the highway (PCT north parking below Yakima Peak) I found the same. East aspects had supportable suncrust on them by the time we made it back over the ridge at 4PM. North aspects still cold and fluffy.
I also found a dynafit tongue for a TLT Mountain. Let me know if you're missing one!
I also found a dynafit tongue for a TLT Mountain. Let me know if you're missing one!
big day! and some really nice footage in the vid. even more astonishing, a ski vid with no helmet cam POV...very refreshing. Looks like a great trip, thanks for the report.
Way to work the aspects for powder in sunny April! I love the shot right after "Then we dropped in for another outstanding run of deep east and NE-facing powder, maybe even 15-18" deep in spots." That looks like the sort of run that stokes the dry soft snow addiction well for at least another year.
Thanks everyone for the super fun day 8)
https://vimeo.com/124082512
https://vimeo.com/124082512
Wow what a surprise. If you saw a black Honda CRV in the parking lot on Wednesday it was mine. Oh and you know why I was there. Same reason you were to do a little work in the White Room. Sadly I did not get out to the gate until 6:10. My GPS for some reason still is on standard time and when I am getting busy I lose track of time.......
I was there when the gate opened actually at about 9:35 and the parking lot was empty at Paradise which shocked...
I was there when the gate opened actually at about 9:35 and the parking lot was empty at Paradise which shocked...
MOUNT RAINIER RECREATIONAL FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
409 AM PDT WED APR 1 2015
SYNOPSIS...AN UPPER TROUGH WILL BRING SHOWERS AND COOL WEATHER WEDNESDAY. SHOWERS WILL DIMINISH THURSDAY AS WEAK HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS OVER THE AREA. A FRONTAL SYSTEM WILL AFFECT THE AREA ON FRIDAY. AN UPPER LOW WILL MAINTAIN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS THROUGH THE WEEKEND.
..WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM PDT EARLY THIS MORNING...
WEDNESDAY....
Even in monotone conditions it IS gorgeous country. A blue-sky day at the end of the first week in October would be pretty special.
author=snoholic link=topic=34030.msg140496#msg140496 date=1428032340]
Here are a few picts of Stewy and surroundings from today. Its good but going quick.
Nice looking day guys. I think I've skied that same gully but much later in the year!
Here are a few picts of Stewy and surroundings from today. Its good but going quick.
You had me at schnitzel.
I love tours that end at bars rather than slide alder groves! I'd be happy to pick up a partner if it works out for you, I'll send a message when I get my itinerary sorted.
I love tours that end at bars rather than slide alder groves! I'd be happy to pick up a partner if it works out for you, I'll send a message when I get my itinerary sorted.
Hogsback was soft. Below the crater was hammered on the east, soft to the west.
The upper chute was too soft for a screw, too hard to drive a picket to the hilt.
Also, credit where it's due: Daver snapped the top pic, and skied it like a champ.
The upper chute was too soft for a screw, too hard to drive a picket to the hilt.
Also, credit where it's due: Daver snapped the top pic, and skied it like a champ.
April is a great time to ski Lake Fork Peak and Sin Nombre. Lake Fork Peak is in the background of the last picture; Its north face drops into that bowl and it holds snow really well. Access couldn't be easier. Drive to 10,000 ft, skin 2 miles to just before the lake around 11,000 ft, then crank up the peak which is almost 13,000 ft and enjoy a nice descent. If the Bavarian is open then you can ski right to the deck and have a liter of choice beer and some schnitzel.
Lots of...
Lots of...
I was up there the other week and it was icier than all hell. I am guessing it softened up for you guys?
author=Jonn-E link=topic=34028.msg140478#msg140478 date=1427988362]
First time I've skied a route other parties were belaying!
Well put!
Would these peaks have coverage at the end of April? I've got some work to do in Taos then and am wondering if I should schlep my kit. It would be sweet to ski a new state!
Yow -- that looks better than I'd expected. Gotta go (or wait for Pipedream to go) to know!
Thanks!
Thanks!
WT Hut I have fond memories of. I spent five nights there and it snowed over two and half meters. Over a meter fell one night. Needless to say it was a continuous week of face shots. The only scary part was half the time I was solo. Sometimes folks were too scared to come in due to the avvie danger and with good reason.
Too bad about the rain, but at least you got a couple of good days.
Too bad about the rain, but at least you got a couple of good days.
Lovely write up & pictures. Sorry you didn't get your plum, isn't that just the way, forward!
If skiing down is no less fun than hiking down, then life could be worse than hanging in a place like that...
Hefeweisen, thanks for the excellent course setting. We admired the way you cut high around around Edna and kept the track on a steady climb without any lost elevation. We were jealous of you having a few days out there.
Here is a phone pano of the surrounding peaks. Conditions are pretty rough, but still fun to be out there.
Wow you saw that slab come down? Cornice-triggered?
We bailed off the Muir route and went up the Paradise, too. Best turns of the day were soft and creamy on the first slope of the Paradise glacier down to Cowlitz Rocks saddle.
We bailed off the Muir route and went up the Paradise, too. Best turns of the day were soft and creamy on the first slope of the Paradise glacier down to Cowlitz Rocks saddle.
we whur goin for da summit!!...but den we ran outta water!!! - Kentucky style ;-)
Were you guys plannin on goin all the way to the summit 8)?
That looks good. Hillmap is also a very useful tool.
http://www.hillmap.com/
http://www.hillmap.com/
author=Jonn-E link=topic=33918.msg140387#msg140387 date=1427513272]
AC,
I downloaded your map and tried to use it for reference whilst schussing around the reference area.
I don't know if its the color choices or the underlain satellite photo but I cannot for the life of me discern what's gray, what's light blue, and what's just snow cover. Hints? Tweaks?
Love the idea, and love the use of Lidar for the high-resol...
Nice. Coverage looks as thin as those droppings in the lower right of the last pic!
Wow it's so thin. For comparison's sake... Here's a photo I took on 3/19/2000 from the top of Earl Peak, with a 4x5 view camera and Fuji Velvia. Too funny. Those were the days.
Fun day out there. Would have been fun to get up the arm, but the wind wasn't having it. photos
Nice work! This has been on my radar as of late. Suppose I'll have to wait to see how this system comes down.
Nice! Looks like a sweet spot with some great scenery!
Yea!! Excellent video for some vicarious stoke. *high fives*
author=wcurchin link=topic=33998.msg140395#msg140395 date=1427558937]
experienced every snow variation possible on the descent (short of blower pow)
Story of the season... strong effort and good work bagging Adams on the tail end of that weather window - you Vermonsters know how to get after it!
this one came down during the day in the paradise valley.. one of the bigger ones i've seen their
Thanks for the tip! Did pretty much this same tour yesterday. Trailhead was easily accessible in an Outback. Put skis on at ~5000' but the solar aspects of the summer trail are melting out fast and there's now a second bootpack in the middle of the ascent. Headlight basin and the north aspects will be in good shape for a while though. Snowshoer in the party did not appreciate the miles of sidehilling on the way up to the pass.
No update on Stuart - the clouds dropped below u...
No update on Stuart - the clouds dropped below u...
AC,
I downloaded your map and tried to use it for reference whilst schussing around the reference area.
I don't know if its the color choices or the underlain satellite photo but I cannot for the life of me discern what's gray, what's light blue, and what's just snow cover. Hints? Tweaks?
Love the idea, and love the use of Lidar for the high-resolution topo detail that is critical for ski analysis.
I downloaded your map and tried to use it for reference whilst schussing around the reference area.
I don't know if its the color choices or the underlain satellite photo but I cannot for the life of me discern what's gray, what's light blue, and what's just snow cover. Hints? Tweaks?
Love the idea, and love the use of Lidar for the high-resolution topo detail that is critical for ski analysis.
Side country. Both places we went were out of bounds. Didn't have to hike too much though. The lifts that could provide closer access to Mount Judah were closed. This was a month ago.
Hi Jane, should this be maybe posted in the lift accessed section? Am I misreading? Thx!