Jan 9, 2011, Bettys Jugs (Peak 6103)
1/9/11
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Bettys Jugs (aka Peak 6103)
Jan 9, 2011
A little late on this report, but thought of interest.
TwoDagDad and I joined a hoard of snowshoers to do Bettys Jugs (aka Peak 6103) up the Suiattle. We pushed (literally) his Element past the clearing area Ive parked at in the summer over the swales to the park spot at the right turn bend. Skinned up the road covered in 12+ inches of snow. Woods didnt have enough coverage to do any shortcuts. Three creeks to gingerly cross. A turn right in the road at a pile of trees to the turn off for Chaval. The snowshoers went up the fishermans trail to Chaval a short bit and up the steep hill . I went left on the horrendously overgrown road about 400 yards then up. Snow was dry and thigh deep. Even with short skis slung low and tips together it was more than the normal joys of ducking and crawling through sometimes tight trees and brush. Gaining an opening as the ridge leveled slightly I put on the skis and within 50 the spot the snowshoers donned their shoes. Followed the old logging road right up the low angle ridge. Then left the road to follow the ridge, up, then flattish. Moving left up a gulley that was piled high with dry fluff and too narrow and steep to skin. Also too deep for lack of shoes. Managed up, across a creek and skinning again. On the left (west a nice open rock field for the way down. The ridge topped out to an open field, moved right into it, descend 30 and heading NNE through a saddle to another low angle field and then another saddle. From here could see the snowshoers finishing with a pit and working up the wide south facing bowl below the summit and SE running ridge. A quick pit check, check out possible routes up in the sudden burst of sunshine and onward (~5550). Skis strapped to the pack I booted it up the snowshoers track in deep snow to the saddle right of the summit and just left of an impressive rock spire on the right. A short steep pitch NW, ducking through tight crusted trees and along the ridge. Left (southside) under some large rocks and a little crawl up to the summit.
The summit was small and only half the group at a time. Some jokes and play with the jugs two other had brought and a celebration of Matts 500th summit.
The snowshoers returned the route they came. I stripped the skins, a snow check and down a steep tight gulley to exit below some big trees above the wide open and suddenly now whited out face. A little digging to check the snow pack. Still a go. The ski down to the group was the deep powder we dream of. Only issue was no visibility. No big deal, just enjoyed it.
We enjoyed a lunch waiting for everyone to return from the summit. A group shot and then head back to the cars.
TDD and I skied the open fields, treed ridge then lower rock slope linking some nice turns. We landed (literally) on the logging road and took two shortcuts in the low covered woods to shortcut the road. Snow cover in the trees to low we figure follow the road out. Why not? WELL, Ill tell you why not.
The road has been decommissioned that means every 1-200 a trench. Sometimes. Abrupt¦ several full washouts, very overgrown and windfall, but worse¦ flat! Go figure. Why would a road that goes uphill be so flat? We made the best of it, figuring at least we were on skis and not trying to walk downhill in the tight low trees with skis. Back at the TH for Chaval the road was wide open and great for high speed descent with some air off the swales. A quarter mile from the cars I realized I no longer had a camera. Darn¦ I turned around and started uphill again checking every jump spot. Told TDD Id meet him and the car at the clearing after the road swales so the others could help make sure of no issues getting to the safe snow covered road.
Up and Up I went. Digging in the snow and back tracking. At two miles up a spot Id hooked one ski over and one ski under a slide alder. On my knees something interesting¦ Before anything else (and in the dark with headlamp) I thought, oh, please let this be it. If not time to head down¦
And it was the camera! A loud hoot, sip of water and headed back full speed now a solid track plowed. Made great time with one stop to see how many M&Ms would fit in my mouth (over 1/4lb). TDD was waiting with some gifted chocolate from the snowshoers.
Big thanks to TDD for being patient and waiting.
Bettys Jugs has some fun skiing up high, The fresh deep powder was wonderful. Down low the travel was a real pain. Basically, I can see why Ive not seen a report since this one is not too typical or fun to get to. Not sure if anyone else has skied from the summit either. Maybe before the road was decommissioned. Maybe not. ??
Stats: 12.5m, 4688vert, 6103 summit, 10hr22min (2.5 looking for camera)
Happy Turns,
fwb
Jan 9, 2011
A little late on this report, but thought of interest.
TwoDagDad and I joined a hoard of snowshoers to do Bettys Jugs (aka Peak 6103) up the Suiattle. We pushed (literally) his Element past the clearing area Ive parked at in the summer over the swales to the park spot at the right turn bend. Skinned up the road covered in 12+ inches of snow. Woods didnt have enough coverage to do any shortcuts. Three creeks to gingerly cross. A turn right in the road at a pile of trees to the turn off for Chaval. The snowshoers went up the fishermans trail to Chaval a short bit and up the steep hill . I went left on the horrendously overgrown road about 400 yards then up. Snow was dry and thigh deep. Even with short skis slung low and tips together it was more than the normal joys of ducking and crawling through sometimes tight trees and brush. Gaining an opening as the ridge leveled slightly I put on the skis and within 50 the spot the snowshoers donned their shoes. Followed the old logging road right up the low angle ridge. Then left the road to follow the ridge, up, then flattish. Moving left up a gulley that was piled high with dry fluff and too narrow and steep to skin. Also too deep for lack of shoes. Managed up, across a creek and skinning again. On the left (west a nice open rock field for the way down. The ridge topped out to an open field, moved right into it, descend 30 and heading NNE through a saddle to another low angle field and then another saddle. From here could see the snowshoers finishing with a pit and working up the wide south facing bowl below the summit and SE running ridge. A quick pit check, check out possible routes up in the sudden burst of sunshine and onward (~5550). Skis strapped to the pack I booted it up the snowshoers track in deep snow to the saddle right of the summit and just left of an impressive rock spire on the right. A short steep pitch NW, ducking through tight crusted trees and along the ridge. Left (southside) under some large rocks and a little crawl up to the summit.
The summit was small and only half the group at a time. Some jokes and play with the jugs two other had brought and a celebration of Matts 500th summit.
The snowshoers returned the route they came. I stripped the skins, a snow check and down a steep tight gulley to exit below some big trees above the wide open and suddenly now whited out face. A little digging to check the snow pack. Still a go. The ski down to the group was the deep powder we dream of. Only issue was no visibility. No big deal, just enjoyed it.
We enjoyed a lunch waiting for everyone to return from the summit. A group shot and then head back to the cars.
TDD and I skied the open fields, treed ridge then lower rock slope linking some nice turns. We landed (literally) on the logging road and took two shortcuts in the low covered woods to shortcut the road. Snow cover in the trees to low we figure follow the road out. Why not? WELL, Ill tell you why not.
The road has been decommissioned that means every 1-200 a trench. Sometimes. Abrupt¦ several full washouts, very overgrown and windfall, but worse¦ flat! Go figure. Why would a road that goes uphill be so flat? We made the best of it, figuring at least we were on skis and not trying to walk downhill in the tight low trees with skis. Back at the TH for Chaval the road was wide open and great for high speed descent with some air off the swales. A quarter mile from the cars I realized I no longer had a camera. Darn¦ I turned around and started uphill again checking every jump spot. Told TDD Id meet him and the car at the clearing after the road swales so the others could help make sure of no issues getting to the safe snow covered road.
Up and Up I went. Digging in the snow and back tracking. At two miles up a spot Id hooked one ski over and one ski under a slide alder. On my knees something interesting¦ Before anything else (and in the dark with headlamp) I thought, oh, please let this be it. If not time to head down¦
And it was the camera! A loud hoot, sip of water and headed back full speed now a solid track plowed. Made great time with one stop to see how many M&Ms would fit in my mouth (over 1/4lb). TDD was waiting with some gifted chocolate from the snowshoers.
Big thanks to TDD for being patient and waiting.
Bettys Jugs has some fun skiing up high, The fresh deep powder was wonderful. Down low the travel was a real pain. Basically, I can see why Ive not seen a report since this one is not too typical or fun to get to. Not sure if anyone else has skied from the summit either. Maybe before the road was decommissioned. Maybe not. ??
Stats: 12.5m, 4688vert, 6103 summit, 10hr22min (2.5 looking for camera)
Happy Turns,
fwb
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