September 11, 2011, Mt. Rainier, Flett Glacier
9/11/11
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
3534
5
Went up the Flett Glacier to Observation Rock. In the picture the snow slopes just below and a tiny bit to the right of Observation Rock.
I was able to ski pretty far down with just one carry thanks to the high snow year.
I did not bring crampons and I was pushing it a bit on the last pitch below Observation Rock. Crampons and ice axe would have made the pitch much easier going (did have a whippet btw.). Note that the pictures do not quite show how steep the slope is. There was no way to skin the slope.
High-res pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35790735@N03/6142449885/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35790735@N03/6142988664/in/photostream/
I was able to ski pretty far down with just one carry thanks to the high snow year.
I did not bring crampons and I was pushing it a bit on the last pitch below Observation Rock. Crampons and ice axe would have made the pitch much easier going (did have a whippet btw.). Note that the pictures do not quite show how steep the slope is. There was no way to skin the slope.
High-res pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35790735@N03/6142449885/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35790735@N03/6142988664/in/photostream/
Thx for the TR, I was wondering about the Flett.
Did you go via Knapsack or the primary trail? Did you look east of Observation, to the Russell? Crevassed heavily?
Yea, that pic doesn't do that headwall justice (in terms of steepness). Nice work!
Did you go via Knapsack or the primary trail? Did you look east of Observation, to the Russell? Crevassed heavily?
Yea, that pic doesn't do that headwall justice (in terms of steepness). Nice work!
Nice work! I was up there on saturday and dropped in off the south east side of Observation, connecting with the snowfield that separates Echo from Observation. Conditions werent too bad overall :) Bugs at Spray Park were less enjoyable though
author=cjm720 link=topic=21765.msg93205#msg93205 date=1315928854]
Thx for the TR, I was wondering about the Flett.
Did you go via Knapsack or the primary trail? Did you look east of Observation, to the Russell? Crevassed heavily?
Yea, that pic doesn't do that headwall justice (in terms of steepness). Nice work!
Russell looked pretty good from my perspective....not too many crevasses at all really.
author=cjm720 link=topic=21765.msg93205#msg93205 date=1315928854]
Thx for the TR, I was wondering about the Flett.
Did you go via Knapsack or the primary trail? Did you look east of Observation, to the Russell? Crevassed heavily?
Yea, that pic doesn't do that headwall justice (in terms of steepness). Nice work!
Did not take a up-close look at Russell.
I went via the primary trail down to Spray Falls, up the switch backs, and then turned at around 5800ft following a smaller trail towards Observation Rock.
I assume Knapsack trail goes east up from Mowich lake via Knapsack Pass? Is that actually faster?
author=Schwerkraft link=topic=21765.msg93213#msg93213 date=1315949764]
Did not take a up-close look at Russell.
I went via the primary trail down to Spray Falls, up the switch backs, and then turned at around 5800ft following a smaller trail towards Observation Rock.
I assume Knapsack trail goes east up from Mowich lake via Knapsack Pass? Is that actually faster?
I wouldn't say faster, but going downhill the last mile or so opposed to the primary trail is a nice way to end.
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