Avalanche Glacier, Mt Adams, June 29, 2008
6/15/08
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
3353
2
Brad T and I read Amar's and Jason's TR's and decided to ski this route via the traditional South Face approach. We drove to Morrison Creek via FS8040 as far as possible on Saturday afternoon. This left a 3.5 mile walk up a mostly hot and dry road to the traditional trailhead. We then skinned to 6540 feet and found a nice camp site, settled in and contemplated Sunday's ski.
Clicking in at 6:00 AM sharp, we made excellent time on mostly firm snow past the Lunch Counter, up the South Face to the false summit. We arrived a bit early so we ate up, snoozed and put the skis on at 11:30 still convinced it was too early. (nice to meet Cascades Freak <sp> on the false summit- hope you guys had a good ski)
We dropped in to the entrance and as Amar stated, there was a steep bit but with no real consequences at the beginning of the ski. Below the entrance, a nice large bowl provided excellent turns just before a somewhat ominous looking rollover. Here the pitch steepened and Brad took the lead skiing down a few hundred VF. We took alternating leads letting each other test the stability of the slope. Nothing slid and we enjoyed adventure skiing at it's finest. Due to the temps, it did get a bit sloppy mid-way or so down, but the sense of isolation and beauty over rode any ideas of marginal conditions. In short, we enjoyed this ski!
The traverse out is a bit longer than the SW Chutes (add on 10-20 minutes), but otherwise, it's the same traverse out. It was really hot in some of the up-traverse bowls, but we made good time with one 300 VF up-track boot. We skied to maybe 5700 feet or so in t-shirts and smiles.
Clicking in at 6:00 AM sharp, we made excellent time on mostly firm snow past the Lunch Counter, up the South Face to the false summit. We arrived a bit early so we ate up, snoozed and put the skis on at 11:30 still convinced it was too early. (nice to meet Cascades Freak <sp> on the false summit- hope you guys had a good ski)
We dropped in to the entrance and as Amar stated, there was a steep bit but with no real consequences at the beginning of the ski. Below the entrance, a nice large bowl provided excellent turns just before a somewhat ominous looking rollover. Here the pitch steepened and Brad took the lead skiing down a few hundred VF. We took alternating leads letting each other test the stability of the slope. Nothing slid and we enjoyed adventure skiing at it's finest. Due to the temps, it did get a bit sloppy mid-way or so down, but the sense of isolation and beauty over rode any ideas of marginal conditions. In short, we enjoyed this ski!
The traverse out is a bit longer than the SW Chutes (add on 10-20 minutes), but otherwise, it's the same traverse out. It was really hot in some of the up-traverse bowls, but we made good time with one 300 VF up-track boot. We skied to maybe 5700 feet or so in t-shirts and smiles.
Was fairly beat when I posted this last night and probably didn't do the ski tour justice. The entrance is about 150 yards north of the SW Chutes entrance. Many start the ski down the SW chutes from nearly the same point a the entrance as this ski. But rather than tend SW, you tend more north down a gentle slope. It's committing in that you would not want to change your mind only to skin back up several hundred VF to the entrance of the SW Chutes should you decide this one wasn't for you.
When Brad and I did the ski, it had changed considerably in nature and consistency compared to the TR's just a week before. We dogged many a small volcanic rock lurking just beneath the surface, so skiing was a matter of quick adjustments. There will be petex applied to both sets of skis to undo our encounters.
So hitting this one just right is a matter of good fortune and the right weather window. I suspect this one is done for the season now, but with some careful line choices, it could go for another week or two.
But under the right circumstances, which we almost hit (90% was excellent), this should be a classic.
When Brad and I did the ski, it had changed considerably in nature and consistency compared to the TR's just a week before. We dogged many a small volcanic rock lurking just beneath the surface, so skiing was a matter of quick adjustments. There will be petex applied to both sets of skis to undo our encounters.
So hitting this one just right is a matter of good fortune and the right weather window. I suspect this one is done for the season now, but with some careful line choices, it could go for another week or two.
But under the right circumstances, which we almost hit (90% was excellent), this should be a classic.
Heya Tony- great to meet you at the false summit! Glad you had great descent. Good trip write-ups and pics! The SW chutes were nice as well.
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