June 5, 2013, Mt Rainier, Lower Curtis Ridge
6/5/13
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2885
1
Radka and I toured up the snowy portion of Curtis Ridge which is the next ridge over St Elmo pass and across Winthrop glacier. I camped at Chinook Pass star-gazing, messing with a new star tracking device. We started early enough 8:30 from W.R. (~2 hrs earlier than last year attempt!). This was my first time on the new trail since the washout, it is an impressive re-construction, must have been a lot of work.
Watched a few people going up Inter Glacier as we reached the pass around the noon, Winthrop Glacier has a few crevasse opening up and we followed a path going around them up/down across the glacier. Once on the ridge, we ran out steam, and ended up taking a nap around 8500'. Just too nice day to keep moving. We did go up to a gap around 9000' over looking the upper Carbon Glacier. What a spectacular closeup view of Willis Wall and those overhanging ice cliffs above. We both agreed the view alone was worth the long tour.
Skiing down was un-eventfull, a little mushy but pretty enjoyable. The slope below the pass into Glacier Basin was very good after some late afternoon cooling. An interesting variation from a familiar place, not sure if I recommend it just for skiing, maybe for a few days of exploring the area.
Watched a few people going up Inter Glacier as we reached the pass around the noon, Winthrop Glacier has a few crevasse opening up and we followed a path going around them up/down across the glacier. Once on the ridge, we ran out steam, and ended up taking a nap around 8500'. Just too nice day to keep moving. We did go up to a gap around 9000' over looking the upper Carbon Glacier. What a spectacular closeup view of Willis Wall and those overhanging ice cliffs above. We both agreed the view alone was worth the long tour.
Skiing down was un-eventfull, a little mushy but pretty enjoyable. The slope below the pass into Glacier Basin was very good after some late afternoon cooling. An interesting variation from a familiar place, not sure if I recommend it just for skiing, maybe for a few days of exploring the area.
Just too nice day to keep moving.
Perfect. I love it.
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