May 29, 2005, Ski Heil and Bumpass Hell,Lassen
5/29/05
US elsewhere
2185
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After our epic tour on Lassen on the 28th, we were ready for a calm day. We learned that summit winds were 67 mph during our brief summit visit yesterday and I now have a greater appreciation for the term Strong Winds. Overnight the temperature dropped below freezing for the first time in days. The group parked just south of the Bumpass Hell parking lot and we climbed the snow bank near Emerald Lake. Ski Heil was todays objective and conditions were perfect. A slight breeze during the ascent and a firm corn surface for skinning were a welcome relief. The ascent was only 1000 vertical BUT it was quick and provided great views of Lassen, Eagle Peak, Pilot Pinnacle, Mt. Diller, Brokeoff Mt. and Diamond Peak. We could see our descent turns on Lassen and although they looked good, Jill and I remembered the winds. The descent was classic Cascade corn with an inch of cream on a firm surface. We all reskinned and headed back up to do it again. By the time we reached the summit, the winds had started picking up and the clouds began surrounding all the nearby summits. Then it began snowing lightly. The ski descent was just as enjoyable the second time. We reassembled at the cars and moved the vehicles to the Bumpass Hell parking lot.
The lot was full and we cycled until a few spots cleared. The trail to Bumpass is officially closed but our plan was to ski. We walked the plowed road past the gate to the hairpin turn and began kicking steps into the 20 foot high snow bank from the road. One by one the group of 11 scaled the bank and began the gradual skin to the treeline rimed bowl that is above the Bumpass Hell thermal area. The corn was ideal for our descent to the deserted thermal area. We had a great lunch stop along the boardwalk amid bubbling hot springs, gurgling mud pots and steam vents. We enjoyed the sun which created a great sucker hole in our vicinity. It was a short climb back to the saddle and a short ski to the drainage below Bumpass Hell parking lot. The summits of the major surrounding peaks were still in the clouds as we drove back to the Mineral Lodge Restaurant for dinner. It was a great day in the Lassen Volcanic Park. Zap
The lot was full and we cycled until a few spots cleared. The trail to Bumpass is officially closed but our plan was to ski. We walked the plowed road past the gate to the hairpin turn and began kicking steps into the 20 foot high snow bank from the road. One by one the group of 11 scaled the bank and began the gradual skin to the treeline rimed bowl that is above the Bumpass Hell thermal area. The corn was ideal for our descent to the deserted thermal area. We had a great lunch stop along the boardwalk amid bubbling hot springs, gurgling mud pots and steam vents. We enjoyed the sun which created a great sucker hole in our vicinity. It was a short climb back to the saddle and a short ski to the drainage below Bumpass Hell parking lot. The summits of the major surrounding peaks were still in the clouds as we drove back to the Mineral Lodge Restaurant for dinner. It was a great day in the Lassen Volcanic Park. Zap
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