May 20, 2011, El Dorado/D. Needle/McA Gl/Klawatti
5/20/11
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
4101
5
Had a fantastic solo tour on Friday in the Eldorado area. Photo below taken from summit of Klawatti. You can see approx. half of the tour in this pic. Began with summit of Eldorado on left, then dropped a steep bit right next to point 8386 (furthest away of the Tepeh towers running at the viewer) to get over to Dorado Needle on right, skied its short-but-steep N face (visible) and continued down (out of view) the McAllister Glacier, stopping a few hundred feet short of the 5000' valley floor. Then re-climbed the McAllister and passed in foreground of Tepeh Towers on way to Klawatti's S face.
Posted a more detailed report and pictures here: http://skisickness.com/post/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=230
In general, arduous travel conditions low but good higher. Consistent snow started around 3700'. At around 4000' deep slushbreaking ensued and continued to around 6500'. Ski conditions on the high N faces of El Dorado and D needle were either powdery, or firm and carvable; on S face of Klawatti slushy but not too scary deep. As can be seen in the pics, glaciers are well filled in. The signature summit fin of El Dorado I've seen in pictures is more like a whaleback right now. Was away from the mountains for too long--glad to see the rumors are true, there's a whole lot of snow in the high country. Love this area, will be back.
Even more pics: https://picasaweb.google.com/ewehrly/2011_05_20ElDoradoDoradoNeedleMcAllisterGlKlawattiPeak#
Posted a more detailed report and pictures here: http://skisickness.com/post/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=230
In general, arduous travel conditions low but good higher. Consistent snow started around 3700'. At around 4000' deep slushbreaking ensued and continued to around 6500'. Ski conditions on the high N faces of El Dorado and D needle were either powdery, or firm and carvable; on S face of Klawatti slushy but not too scary deep. As can be seen in the pics, glaciers are well filled in. The signature summit fin of El Dorado I've seen in pictures is more like a whaleback right now. Was away from the mountains for too long--glad to see the rumors are true, there's a whole lot of snow in the high country. Love this area, will be back.
Even more pics: https://picasaweb.google.com/ewehrly/2011_05_20ElDoradoDoradoNeedleMcAllisterGlKlawattiPeak#
Looks like you had a fantastic and rather big day indeed. Nice work Eric, way to make the best of a day out. Keep it up young man! ;)
Fantastic Eric! What a great trip- glad it worked out so well for you.
Great stuff! I'm very jealous.
Awesome effort and great pictures, thanks for sharing!
$$$!
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