Nov 28, 2010, Crystal Lakes Basin/Silver Basin
11/28/10
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
16165
29
Silver basin proper is chopped with many turns. Possibly due to a number of people getting their passes revolked for crossing ropes and hiking instead? There was a nice thin wind-crust in locations below up to 6 inches of freshies. Weak layer at ~3.5ft down that broke when cutting for shovel-shear for W aspect at 25deg.
A few stashes of wicked untouched powder for quick lines can be found. The line down to Crystal lake was fun. Tried SWesterly face first, but it was much more wind blown... giving a few base scratches, but no core shots. It was plush on the Sesterly face, but rocks on steeper spots.
Bluebird skies in between clouds. A pretty excellent day.
[edited to have locations more correct]
A few stashes of wicked untouched powder for quick lines can be found. The line down to Crystal lake was fun. Tried SWesterly face first, but it was much more wind blown... giving a few base scratches, but no core shots. It was plush on the Sesterly face, but rocks on steeper spots.
Bluebird skies in between clouds. A pretty excellent day.
[edited to have locations more correct]
Crystal opened SB from the Throne on the 28th so no ropes were crossed or passes pulled although I heard horror stories about the rocky traverse.
I heard from a patrolman that there were a few of people crossing ropes underneath the gondola and getting passes pulled. But them opening SB makes much more sense...
From what I hear, not even the patrol are allowed to ski under the gondola area.
author=Joedabaker link=topic=18201.msg76869#msg76869 date=1291055779]
From what I hear, not even the patrol are allowed to ski under the gondola area.
Gondola Line= ulitimate poach= DONE! Admittedly before they opened but they were shouting at us!
That shouting may have been mistaken for laughing.
author=Joedabaker link=topic=18201.msg76874#msg76874 date=1291057690]
That shouting may have been mistaken for laughing.
It was Kyle Miller they were laughing at as he was ahead of me. ;)
By the time I entanged myself from the punji stick trap they had set for poachers... they were in hushed awe!
Other than the Stick-trap, for what reason do they not want poachers? I didn't properly inspect the line... Is it just somehow too 'unsafe'?
author=sukiakiumo link=topic=18201.msg76883#msg76883 date=1291061520]
Other than the Stick-trap, for what reason do they not want poachers? I didn't properly inspect the line... Is it just somehow too 'unsafe'?
'They are pulling the gondola cable up( alebit very slowly) and are warning people that if it comes off the rollers it " will cut you in half".
Judging by progress .......it could be a while. ::)
author=Scotsman link=topic=18201.msg76885#msg76885 date=1291061974]
Judging by progress .......it could be a while. ::)
Perhaps they're waiting for people to actually shell out the extra $$ in their passes to pay for it, before they finish it?? In that case it might be a while :-o
author=sukiakiumo link=topic=18201.msg76887#msg76887 date=1291062387]
Perhaps they're waiting for people to actually shell out the extra $$ in their passes to pay for it, before they finish it?? In that case it might be a while :-o
You'll all be bitching and moaning when REX is on wind hold and all of us who bought gondola upgrades with our season passes are riding up in comfort, getting freshies down frontside and lapping the goodness while you misers are meadow skipping down Queens run!
Mark my words.
$89 bucks/50 visits over the season= $1.78 per visit for me. Less than a tall skinny latte!
author=Scotsman link=topic=18201.msg76890#msg76890 date=1291062858]
You'll all be bitching and moaning when REX is on wind hold and all of us who bought gondola upgrades with our season passes are riding up in comfort, getting freshies down frontside and lapping the goodness while you misers are meadow skipping down Queens run!
Mark my words.
$89 bucks/50 visits over the season= $1.78 per visit for me. Less than a tall skinny latte!
Put that way it doesn't not that bad... except when you're a so miserly to even afford a pass at all!
author=sukiakiumo link=topic=18201.msg76842#msg76842 date=1291005831]
SWesterly face
???
author=PNWBrit link=topic=18201.msg76912#msg76912 date=1291071293]
???
Ok, so maybe face isn't the best term. Here's a map for what I mean.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=46.911608,-121.495571&spn=0.015274,0.037637&t=p&z=15&msid=105373491754741210108.00049638f84241f36a7d9
Those count as SW...
Except that's Crytal Lakes Basin and not Silver. I was just puzzled where you'd found SW aspects there. Should have read your post better.
Except that's Crytal Lakes Basin and not Silver. I was just puzzled where you'd found SW aspects there. Should have read your post better.
Surprised nobody alluded to the Crystal Ski Patrol Blog entry of November 26,
WHAT?! THIS IS A CLOSED AREA? AND OTHER BAD QUESTIONS
WHAT?! THIS IS A CLOSED AREA? AND OTHER BAD QUESTIONS
I thought the basin immediately North of those lines on that map was silver basin. Or am I completely out of it? Sorry for any confusion.
Speaking of not knowing the area... (I've just started exploring) there is a nice crystal backcountry map in the ski patrol office. I tried locating it online, anyone know where I can find it? I tried google searches and only found the description of Avalanche basin.
author=sukiakiumo link=topic=18201.msg76916#msg76916 date=1291072097]You're right, Silver Basin is directly North of your lines. But you skied down a different drainage, so your TR Subject could more appropriately be "Crystal Basin\Lakes"
I thought the basin immediately North of those lines on that map was silver basin. Or am I completely out of it? Sorry for any confusion.
author=sukiakiumo link=topic=18201.msg76918#msg76918 date=1291072767]
Speaking of not knowing the area... (I've just started exploring) there is a nice crystal backcountry map in the ski patrol office. I tried locating it online, anyone know where I can find it? I tried google searches and only found the description of Avalanche basin.
Are you talking about the labeled photograph?
We skied silver basin from the lift-served (lazy) side. The traverse out involved lots of scraping rock and cursing, but the skiing definitely did not suck.
author=Keith_Henson link=topic=18201.msg76921#msg76921 date=1291073792]
Are you talking about the labeled photograph?
That is exactly what I'm talking about. Though in a slightly higher-res form.
author=sukiakiumo link=topic=18201.msg76923#msg76923 date=1291073981]
That is exactly what I'm talking about. Though in a slightly higher-res form.
It is a product of the CMAC program and despite my entreaties to the appropriate people, it is long out of print.
Bob Grubb used to have afew for sale at Wapato Wollies.
author=Keith_Henson link=topic=18201.msg76915#msg76915 date=1291071901">
Surprised nobody alluded to the Crystal Ski Patrol Blog entry of November 26,
WHAT?! THIS IS A CLOSED AREA? AND OTHER BAD QUESTIONS
You believe them????????... it's just mind control so they can keep all the good lines for themselves.
Too many f**king ropes at Crystal....... place is becoming a "nanny resort".
We need a return to the founding intentions of the Crystal founders.... a place where you can roam unfettled and if that means certain skiers are going to be culled out of the gene pool then so be it. Darwin was right!
Teabaggers against the nannification of Crystal.
author=ron j link=topic=18201.msg76930#msg76930 date=1291076278]
Bob Grubb used to have afew for sale at Wapato Wollies.
Not anymore unless they just got them. They were one of the first people I contacted...
author=Keith_Henson link=topic=18201.msg76933#msg76933 date=1291077839]
Not anymore unless they just got them. They were one of the first people I contacted...
I'll sell you mine. Make me an offer.It's got some of Jeodabaker's secret stashes marked on it.... it's worth a fortune. ;)
author=Scotsman link=topic=18201.msg76935#msg76935 date=1291078208]
I'll sell you mine. Make me an offer.It's got some of Jeodabaker's secret stashes marked on it.... it's worth a fortune. ;)
I'll accept a fortune to just show them. Money must be paid up front though.
author=Joedabaker link=topic=18201.msg76943#msg76943 date=1291079820]
I'll accept a fortune to just show them. Money must be paid up front though.
Mine has more clear tape on it than paper. ;)
author=Joedabaker link=topic=18201.msg76943#msg76943 date=1291079820]
I'll accept a fortune to just show them. Money must be paid up front though.
Perhaps it is due to business models like these that the maps haven't been reprinted?
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