January 22 and 23, 2005, MRNP
1/22/05
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2636
3
Saturday
Well I sure as hell wasn't going to let a little rain keep me inside all day wondering when conditions were going to improve. So Rick and I decided a little tour was in order. And yeah don't forget the garbage bags. Pulled into rather empty lot at Paradise. Temps warm, breeze cool, and a light drizzle to go with both. Guess we didn't need the garbage bags after all. There appeared to be some weather coming in from the south. Clouds started off just above Nisqually Chutes say 8500ft but soon began to drop below Pan Pt in no time. Skinning up the traditional way towards Pan Pt was fine despite the mush. We noticed a glide crack as we rounded the 1st knoll. The snow in the stream bed was starting to sink and so was the snow around it. Crack was about 20ft long and 2-3ft in depth. There was plenty of evidence of this everywhere near creeks. So we kept going for another 10 minutes or so before bumping into 2 climbers who camped around McClure Rock. They said snow got crustier above Pan Pt and there was a slight wind like always. Also the visibility was just getting worse. Rick and I decided to do a high traverse thru Edith Creek over to Golden Gate. On the traverse snow was really sketchy on steeper terrain 30 degrees or more. We both felt an inconsistency in the snow with each step. Some places the mush was deep and others not (consolidation?). After skinning to a safe spot we got our gear together and got outta there. I was almost able to ride to the car except for the bridge which is void of snow. Ride down was not too bad. Kinda felt like spring.
Sunday
The clouds were higher and visibility better. Temps were cooler, bit more of a breeze, but no rain. Only a few cars in the lot today. The day before Rick and I were denied reaching Golden Gate. Today I had no problem. Snow has consolidated well. Was real easy to boot pack to the top. Once at my drop I noticed more weather coming in so I rolled out. Despite the lack of new snow it was rather enjoyable. Every now and then my tracks would cross some runnels. There was no escaping the rain cups. They covered everythihg. By the time I arrived at my car it started to rain.
Not ideal conditions for late Jan but any day out in the bc is a good day.
Well I sure as hell wasn't going to let a little rain keep me inside all day wondering when conditions were going to improve. So Rick and I decided a little tour was in order. And yeah don't forget the garbage bags. Pulled into rather empty lot at Paradise. Temps warm, breeze cool, and a light drizzle to go with both. Guess we didn't need the garbage bags after all. There appeared to be some weather coming in from the south. Clouds started off just above Nisqually Chutes say 8500ft but soon began to drop below Pan Pt in no time. Skinning up the traditional way towards Pan Pt was fine despite the mush. We noticed a glide crack as we rounded the 1st knoll. The snow in the stream bed was starting to sink and so was the snow around it. Crack was about 20ft long and 2-3ft in depth. There was plenty of evidence of this everywhere near creeks. So we kept going for another 10 minutes or so before bumping into 2 climbers who camped around McClure Rock. They said snow got crustier above Pan Pt and there was a slight wind like always. Also the visibility was just getting worse. Rick and I decided to do a high traverse thru Edith Creek over to Golden Gate. On the traverse snow was really sketchy on steeper terrain 30 degrees or more. We both felt an inconsistency in the snow with each step. Some places the mush was deep and others not (consolidation?). After skinning to a safe spot we got our gear together and got outta there. I was almost able to ride to the car except for the bridge which is void of snow. Ride down was not too bad. Kinda felt like spring.
Sunday
The clouds were higher and visibility better. Temps were cooler, bit more of a breeze, but no rain. Only a few cars in the lot today. The day before Rick and I were denied reaching Golden Gate. Today I had no problem. Snow has consolidated well. Was real easy to boot pack to the top. Once at my drop I noticed more weather coming in so I rolled out. Despite the lack of new snow it was rather enjoyable. Every now and then my tracks would cross some runnels. There was no escaping the rain cups. They covered everythihg. By the time I arrived at my car it started to rain.
Not ideal conditions for late Jan but any day out in the bc is a good day.
Not ideal conditions for late Jan but any day out in the bc is a good day.
Agreed!!!
Good job snoslut! I'm especially impressed you were able to get out tommorow, seeing as today is the 24th. What model of time machine did you use to do this, and can I borrow your time machine so I can travel back to the Winter of 1999?
Thanks! ;D
Thanks! ;D
Hey Gaper Jeffey the time machine model I have is an HP-420XP. ;D And sure you can come along. Back to the winter of 99 we go!
Thanx!
Thanx!
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