September 29, 2011, Paradise Glacier

9/29/11

WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)

2420

2

Posted by silaswild on 9/29/11 12:03pm

Once again, more rain has smoothed this area perfectly. The walk from Fourth Crossing to snow is still only 40 minutes, still through beautiful wildflower gardens. There is a bit more dirt walking to connect all the snow above 6200'. As usual we stopped skinning around 8700' in a nice wind protected spot, where this week we found a few inches of fresh corn. We skinned up at the eastern edge of the glacier, more cracks are opening and the blue ice patches are growing, which could make this ski tour more complicated soon.

It was fun to have Jess and Scott join us for their 12th month of skiing, welcome to the TAY club!!
http://vimeo.com/29820215 http://vimeo.com/29820042
What a year this has been, today at the end of September we skied 3500' of smooth corn, wow.

9/30/11 12:54am

don-heath

Great day, Silas! Going skiing with you is always a workout. I think I had two aneurisms, a heart arrhythmia, and a panic attack. And that was on the drive up! After that it was all fun and games.

Highlights of the day: Two laps on the Paradise; Perfectly smooth corn; crossing the big crevasse on the bridge; lunching and chatting on the rocks in the sun; "jumping" the surprise crevasse; and the steep exit. Thanks for the challenge! Beautiful day up there! And thanks for driving and the quick trip home (hyperventilating!)

Great skiing with you George, Zach, Jess and Scott

10/1/11 6:26am

smilesinor

Thank you for letting me tag along and satisfying by curiosities. Excellent meeting y'all and the great turns, especially coming down the head wall on far skiers right.

Look forward to next wild ride!

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