March 21, 2010; Barclay Saturation Tour
3/15/10
2675
6
This is for those of you who thought, "hey, maybe I should have skied somewhere near Skykomish today, I'll bet it was dry" -- it was not.
We didn't really think it would be dry either, but I wanted to do a recon trip and found a couple of fellow CBSP folks who didn't mind getting wet with the possibility of a nice ski as a payoff.
Well, we were a little late this year -- low elevation snowpack is nonexistent and there's been too much melt water working on the bottom of the line we were sniffing around, so access/safety was questionable, at best. We ended up doing a lot of schwackin' to try to find a patch of snow to ski, to no avail. For what it's worth, continuous snow west of the crest in the highway 2 area doesn't start until 3500 feet or higher, even on north facing stuff. It's going fast.
We didn't really think it would be dry either, but I wanted to do a recon trip and found a couple of fellow CBSP folks who didn't mind getting wet with the possibility of a nice ski as a payoff.
Well, we were a little late this year -- low elevation snowpack is nonexistent and there's been too much melt water working on the bottom of the line we were sniffing around, so access/safety was questionable, at best. We ended up doing a lot of schwackin' to try to find a patch of snow to ski, to no avail. For what it's worth, continuous snow west of the crest in the highway 2 area doesn't start until 3500 feet or higher, even on north facing stuff. It's going fast.
Definitely like that second shot...nice! That looks like a nice line had it held a bit more snow...
Gee, what kind silly people could you find to go on that kind of a hike?
In a good a snow year and in wintertime (happy vernal equinox!) that could be a really fun tour. The forest back there is fabulous and the creek crossings were exciting at times.
It was a fun day even if we didn't get to ski! :)
In a good a snow year and in wintertime (happy vernal equinox!) that could be a really fun tour. The forest back there is fabulous and the creek crossings were exciting at times.
It was a fun day even if we didn't get to ski! :)
sounds fun...?
Nyla was hiking up there a few weeks ago and there was snow to be found.
I was hoping to do some touring up there this winter, but snow levels changed my plan.
Nyla was hiking up there a few weeks ago and there was snow to be found.
I was hoping to do some touring up there this winter, but snow levels changed my plan.
Yeah, a few weeks ago would have been better, for sure. A good spot to keep in mind for a better year.
It was totally fun, in a ridiculous-recon trip sort of way. Sometimes you have to pay the price before you're allowed to ride the ride, eh? :)
My gear is still drying out in the basement.
It was totally fun, in a ridiculous-recon trip sort of way. Sometimes you have to pay the price before you're allowed to ride the ride, eh? :)
My gear is still drying out in the basement.
author=blitz link=topic=16083.msg67096#msg67096 date=1269235751]
Gee, what kind silly people could you find to go on that kind of a hike?
I'd say people that enjoy getting out in the mountains and having a good time together irregardless of the conditions. :)
Looks like it was a "character building" day, the smile on Marcus's face says it all though.
Nice report and good pictures,
Gary
Heh -- character was definitely built, Gary. The shwackin' wasn't too bad, but the rain was awfully wet.
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