April 18, 2004, Earl Peak

Having a deep need to do some touring and curiousity re. the meltout in the Teanaway, I joined Bob H's (Bob, Eric A, Harold B, Dan D & myself) tour to Earl Peak - albeit feeling some guilt for missing many friends & festivities at TAY's Springfest!  We drove 2.9 miles past 29 Pines Campground on the N.Fork Teanaway River Road before being stopped by snow, then booted up the mostly snowfree rd to Spur Rd 112, also mostly clear of snow, to the Beverly-Bean Trailhead.  We then ended up booting the mostly snowfree trail up Bean Crk, not putting on skins until almost 5000'.  Crossing Bean Ck, we ascended the west face of Earl on skins about 1/2 way before switching back to more effective booting.  Hitting the south ridge at el 6000' we then finished booting to the summit just as the threatening front hit spitting snow.  Up until this time (2:15 PM) the weather had been changing from blue ski to clouds, wind and snow.  Concerned that the weather was closing in, we quickly dressed up, deskinned and readied for the descent - just as the sun came back out! With 2-3" of new over a 1" thaw layer on a firm base, the ski down was delicious! No corn, just new snow over an edgeable base.  Down the south ridge, back down the west face to the creek, and down Bean until no viable ski path remained - and the long walk out.  4200 v, 8-1/2 hrs, 2 miles skiing, 10 miles walking.  On the way out we saw that several vehicles had busted through, so by next w/e, with a little warm weather, one should be able to at least drive to Beverly - if not further. The meltout is at least 2-4 weeks early, and south and west faces are quickly melting out. Plan to get over there earlier than usual.