May 12, 2012, ONP, Klahhane Ridge Corn
5/12/12
WA Olympics
1029
0
With Jan on the injured reserve list, the job of harvesting the every increasing crop of corn developing in the Mt Angeles environs was relegated to Jeff, Stormking and me. Undaunted by the magnitude of this task, we got an early start. The climb from the Switchback parking area to Victor Pass was steep and firm, ski crampons were a necessity.
Once we reached the Pass, we were faced with a dilemma ¦¦¦¦. Do we climb Mt Angeles and ski one of the north facing lines from near the summit, or do we continue up Klahhane Ridge and ski one of chutes which drop to the valley floor? After some deliberation, we agreed to head up Klahhane Ridge. We scouted several options, finally deciding to drop into a short, steep bowl which held several potential exits leading to the valley floor 1,300 vf below our skis. This initial pitch was perfect corn¦¦¦¦ We next explored the exit routes, the one furthest skiers right was definitely the safest choice. Although this 40 degree chute was still a bit firm, it was a fun ski. After several hundred VF, it opened up onto a broad ramp which was as smooth and soft as the upper bowl all the way to the bottom. As we transitioned, we noticed two skiers on the same line we had just completed. They turned out to be our friends Peter and Monty from Port Townsend.
With the rapidly warming mid-day temps we decided there was not enough time for another run down this side. We had our eyes on another line for a future trip, so we elected to climb it to regain the ridge line. This was a sporty route¦¦¦. But proved to be a great option for another day.
The ski back down the SE face to the road was on surprisingly good snow given the air temps and the mid afternoon timing of our descent.
Here are a few pictures from our day:
1. The early morning climb, Mt Angeles in the background
2. Stormking dropping into the upper bowl
3. Jeff leading the climb back to the ridge
Here is a link to a few more: https://picasaweb.google.com/GaryJanH/20120512KlahhaneRidgeCorn
Gary
Once we reached the Pass, we were faced with a dilemma ¦¦¦¦. Do we climb Mt Angeles and ski one of the north facing lines from near the summit, or do we continue up Klahhane Ridge and ski one of chutes which drop to the valley floor? After some deliberation, we agreed to head up Klahhane Ridge. We scouted several options, finally deciding to drop into a short, steep bowl which held several potential exits leading to the valley floor 1,300 vf below our skis. This initial pitch was perfect corn¦¦¦¦ We next explored the exit routes, the one furthest skiers right was definitely the safest choice. Although this 40 degree chute was still a bit firm, it was a fun ski. After several hundred VF, it opened up onto a broad ramp which was as smooth and soft as the upper bowl all the way to the bottom. As we transitioned, we noticed two skiers on the same line we had just completed. They turned out to be our friends Peter and Monty from Port Townsend.
With the rapidly warming mid-day temps we decided there was not enough time for another run down this side. We had our eyes on another line for a future trip, so we elected to climb it to regain the ridge line. This was a sporty route¦¦¦. But proved to be a great option for another day.
The ski back down the SE face to the road was on surprisingly good snow given the air temps and the mid afternoon timing of our descent.
Here are a few pictures from our day:
1. The early morning climb, Mt Angeles in the background
2. Stormking dropping into the upper bowl
3. Jeff leading the climb back to the ridge
Here is a link to a few more: https://picasaweb.google.com/GaryJanH/20120512KlahhaneRidgeCorn
Gary
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