June 11, 2011, Kaleetan Peak-Chair Pk circumnav
6/11/11
WA Snoqualmie Pass
1293
3
Important points:
Skied right from the start at the upper lot of Alpental! 2+ feet still on the cat track.
Snow had 3 to 4 inches of ski penetration on all aspects and was surprisingly consistent for easy skiing.
Could not ascend the direct east gully to the summit slope of Kaleetan from Malekwa Basin (big cornice), found a nice variation to the south on a steep timbered rib/knoll to a saddle. Then a steep traverse on the west side back to the summit slope.
Probably can still ski off the summit of Kaleetan for one more week barring real hot direct sun.
Great coverage everywhere.
We descended the direct stream gully out of Chair Peak Lake outlet, but its' days are seriously numbered. Better to traverse beneath Roosevelt.
Snow lake is getting scary with lots of "blue snow" around the edge. Source Lake divide descent even had a nice smooth line between big debris fields.
Great day with donb and Randy B.
Skied right from the start at the upper lot of Alpental! 2+ feet still on the cat track.
Snow had 3 to 4 inches of ski penetration on all aspects and was surprisingly consistent for easy skiing.
Could not ascend the direct east gully to the summit slope of Kaleetan from Malekwa Basin (big cornice), found a nice variation to the south on a steep timbered rib/knoll to a saddle. Then a steep traverse on the west side back to the summit slope.
Probably can still ski off the summit of Kaleetan for one more week barring real hot direct sun.
Great coverage everywhere.
We descended the direct stream gully out of Chair Peak Lake outlet, but its' days are seriously numbered. Better to traverse beneath Roosevelt.
Snow lake is getting scary with lots of "blue snow" around the edge. Source Lake divide descent even had a nice smooth line between big debris fields.
Great day with donb and Randy B.
I pretty much followed your route today (June 12). Thanks for skin track to identify Bryant ramp entrance, and especially, for the boot pack.
I had sunny weather, maybe even too sunny. Strangely though, the slope Bryant Col to Melakwa was actually pretty frozen at noon.
I also used your ingenious cornice bypass to head up Kaleetan, but ended up not summiting because I was worried top gully slope had gotten too soft in the steady sun. Was already getting lotta boot pen lower down. Had hissers going as I skied the slope back down to Melakwa Pass approach.
Snow near Chair Pk Lake was fun but curiously sticky. Also did the Direct below CP Lake, again following your tracks. Exciting, what with waterfalls disappearing into holes and all. Made it even more exciting by failing to manage sluff in the funnel part and got knocked onto my butt, fortunately not near one of those holes.
Wasn't too worried about Snow Lake crossing, seems like those blue areas are water sitting on top of ice that is still pretty thick?
Sure enjoyed this tour, first time I've done the whole around Chair thing. On a day where there were 50+ cars in the lot I saw no one after diverging from Pineapple to Bryant up til returning to Source Lake again.
I had sunny weather, maybe even too sunny. Strangely though, the slope Bryant Col to Melakwa was actually pretty frozen at noon.
I also used your ingenious cornice bypass to head up Kaleetan, but ended up not summiting because I was worried top gully slope had gotten too soft in the steady sun. Was already getting lotta boot pen lower down. Had hissers going as I skied the slope back down to Melakwa Pass approach.
Snow near Chair Pk Lake was fun but curiously sticky. Also did the Direct below CP Lake, again following your tracks. Exciting, what with waterfalls disappearing into holes and all. Made it even more exciting by failing to manage sluff in the funnel part and got knocked onto my butt, fortunately not near one of those holes.
Wasn't too worried about Snow Lake crossing, seems like those blue areas are water sitting on top of ice that is still pretty thick?
Sure enjoyed this tour, first time I've done the whole around Chair thing. On a day where there were 50+ cars in the lot I saw no one after diverging from Pineapple to Bryant up til returning to Source Lake again.
Way to get at it, boys!
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