Feb 25, Mt. Gunnshy
2/15/11
3583
4
Trip inspired by Save Gondors beta.
Alecapone had broken trail with his dog(s) up the old forest service road the day before stopping partway up the jumbled cliff barrier that guards Gunnshy's alpine. Therefore, we made decent time up the about 3 mile approach all on snow. Once reaching the basin we headed left up towards jumpoff ridge where the cliffband's weak link was. Some wallowing and vegetation assistance was required but before long we were back on our skis making switchbacks into the alpine. Once in the alpine we followed spur ridges up to the N or NE ridge and followed the ridge to the summit.
The alpine was fun to ski but wasn't amazing due to lots of wind affected snow. Further down we found shin/knee deep powder snow. Even further down we skied down a gully that we spotted on the way up. Pillow Gully. It bypassed the schawky cliffband. it would probably be dangerous in warmer conditions.
Pillow gully, breaking trail and views from the summit were highlights of the day. We started at 8:00 am and made it back to the car at 6:30 without any long lunch breaks. We kept a fairly consistent pace all the way up and didn't put in a steep skin track.
We tried to get smaller test slopes to avalanche but the snow was bonded well.
Alecapone had broken trail with his dog(s) up the old forest service road the day before stopping partway up the jumbled cliff barrier that guards Gunnshy's alpine. Therefore, we made decent time up the about 3 mile approach all on snow. Once reaching the basin we headed left up towards jumpoff ridge where the cliffband's weak link was. Some wallowing and vegetation assistance was required but before long we were back on our skis making switchbacks into the alpine. Once in the alpine we followed spur ridges up to the N or NE ridge and followed the ridge to the summit.
The alpine was fun to ski but wasn't amazing due to lots of wind affected snow. Further down we found shin/knee deep powder snow. Even further down we skied down a gully that we spotted on the way up. Pillow Gully. It bypassed the schawky cliffband. it would probably be dangerous in warmer conditions.
Pillow gully, breaking trail and views from the summit were highlights of the day. We started at 8:00 am and made it back to the car at 6:30 without any long lunch breaks. We kept a fairly consistent pace all the way up and didn't put in a steep skin track.
We tried to get smaller test slopes to avalanche but the snow was bonded well.
well written Leyland!
So nice to be able take advantage of the cold snap and ski all the way to the skykomish. I was suprised with the options for good ridable terrain up there.
leyland skiing off the summit.
into the gulley. so fun.
looking back up.
So nice to be able take advantage of the cold snap and ski all the way to the skykomish. I was suprised with the options for good ridable terrain up there.
leyland skiing off the summit.
into the gulley. so fun.
looking back up.
I'm guessing somewhere near Gunn Peak, but where exactly, or what road are you approaching from? Looks interesting.....
SWEET!!!!!! and yes, Gunnshy is just North of Gunn.
Dev rd 6310.
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