Sep10, 2011, Mt. Rainier, Paradise Glacier
9/10/11
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2128
0
The Paradise glacier still offers good skiing. Some dust on the snow, and moguls from previous raised ski tracks up top, but not badly sun-cupped.
It is no longer continuous from the lower Paradise snow field, and the best approach, I think, is hard skiers right, between exposed ice patches(photo below). There are two short portages between lower and upper Paradise, and another on the lower Paradise.
Crack about 8000 feet extends very far south, and I recommend ascending glacier versus accessing from Muir to scope it. There is also a smaller opening on the lower Paradise, which is obvious from below.
I approached the ski via Paradise trail, which is long, but very pretty with wildflowers. I returned by cutting to Edith basin (requiring an additional portage above the Paradise river crossing). The snow bridge across the Paradise river is about shot.
Overall, still a very nice ski.
It is no longer continuous from the lower Paradise snow field, and the best approach, I think, is hard skiers right, between exposed ice patches(photo below). There are two short portages between lower and upper Paradise, and another on the lower Paradise.
Crack about 8000 feet extends very far south, and I recommend ascending glacier versus accessing from Muir to scope it. There is also a smaller opening on the lower Paradise, which is obvious from below.
I approached the ski via Paradise trail, which is long, but very pretty with wildflowers. I returned by cutting to Edith basin (requiring an additional portage above the Paradise river crossing). The snow bridge across the Paradise river is about shot.
Overall, still a very nice ski.
Reply to this TR
Please login first: