June 12, 2011, MRNP Paradise Glacier
6/12/11
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
989
2
Our good friend and bc skiing companion Ken Zirinsky never wears out. He always wants one more lap when the rest of us are tired and need to head to the car. Most likely you know someone like that.
Well, we came up with a tour to wear Ken down. We call it the "Big Zirinsky "
Tour up above Anvil rock Via east of Mclure ,Ski down the Paradise glacier,Tour up Cowlitz rocks traverse east and ski down to Willwakas Gl. Ski south across Williwakas and down The western slope of Stevens ridge. Back up to the 911 slope in MAzama back bowl and finally regain golden gate for a home run ski to the Lodge.
Unfortunately today we were delayed on our mission by on off whiteouts. Dave Thomas ,Ken Zirinsky himself ,Mike Segars ,Jeffery Holden and myself started down form 9500' above Anvil rock ( pretty darn good skiing too) but delayed on and off by whiteouts. Finally made a couple breakthrough runs and were down to about 8000' when noticed "The Crevice " .Shocking that it was unzipped that far south with this much snow.? We did a end run to the south and passed over the troll. Simultaneouly we ran into deeper mush instead of the hero corn we had been skiing.
Down at Cowlitz saddle the snow was more skiable .Due to the lateness of the day and approaching Storm clouds we decided to forgo wearing out Ken With Ken concurring.
Good thing as it started raining as we approached Golden gate. WE made a quick wet dash from that point to the lodge.
Saving the big Zirinsky for the future .
Found someones water bottle ,bag and biner near the top of goldengate.
Be mindful of the crevice unzipping across the Paradise GL.
Don't feed the fox that has taken to following skiers skinning up above edith basin.
Well, we came up with a tour to wear Ken down. We call it the "Big Zirinsky "
Tour up above Anvil rock Via east of Mclure ,Ski down the Paradise glacier,Tour up Cowlitz rocks traverse east and ski down to Willwakas Gl. Ski south across Williwakas and down The western slope of Stevens ridge. Back up to the 911 slope in MAzama back bowl and finally regain golden gate for a home run ski to the Lodge.
Unfortunately today we were delayed on our mission by on off whiteouts. Dave Thomas ,Ken Zirinsky himself ,Mike Segars ,Jeffery Holden and myself started down form 9500' above Anvil rock ( pretty darn good skiing too) but delayed on and off by whiteouts. Finally made a couple breakthrough runs and were down to about 8000' when noticed "The Crevice " .Shocking that it was unzipped that far south with this much snow.? We did a end run to the south and passed over the troll. Simultaneouly we ran into deeper mush instead of the hero corn we had been skiing.
Down at Cowlitz saddle the snow was more skiable .Due to the lateness of the day and approaching Storm clouds we decided to forgo wearing out Ken With Ken concurring.
Good thing as it started raining as we approached Golden gate. WE made a quick wet dash from that point to the lodge.
Saving the big Zirinsky for the future .
Found someones water bottle ,bag and biner near the top of goldengate.
Be mindful of the crevice unzipping across the Paradise GL.
Don't feed the fox that has taken to following skiers skinning up above edith basin.
We were up on the Paradise Saturday and found the same crevasse. A little probing showed the sides to be pretty solid and we found a snowbridge to use. Probably could have skied right across it. It looks to be an extension of the system that goes off towards the Cowlitz. Still, we didn't expect to see one. I know there are several just above that point towards the rock outcrop.
Chuck
For sure I mentally snoozed off thinking fat snow pack. It is mid june ya know .
Perhap?s Becky's "Cascade Alpine Guide" second edition pg 96 has the best picture of the Paradise Glacier major crevasse
For sure I mentally snoozed off thinking fat snow pack. It is mid june ya know .
Perhap?s Becky's "Cascade Alpine Guide" second edition pg 96 has the best picture of the Paradise Glacier major crevasse
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