July 7, 2013, Mt. Adams, SW Chutes
7/7/13
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
3011
3
Skied SW Chutes yesterday with Sugaree- chocolate Lab and ski pal extraordinaire.It was to be her tenth volcanic summit. Left trailhead at 3:45am, easy hiking, would have been much easier if I had brought along crampons. Alternated booting/skinning on snow depending on steepness. Reached summit 7 1/2 hours later (and finished my 3 liters of water right at that moment). Ski from summit to false summit involved being happy with craptastic snow. Half hour rest then down SW Chutes-12:45 descent was perfect timing for porn corn- some of the best I've had all year. Then cut cross country from about 6400'. Route not sun cupped- who would have guessed? Will be in for a bit longer- not much. And Sugaree got her tenth summit- then chased me all the way down and back to the car. Good puppy!!!
NICE! Glad you had a cupless run!!
OK---HOW WAS THE MOSQUITO SITUATION?
OK---HOW WAS THE MOSQUITO SITUATION?
Way to go Sugaree!!! Will your next dog be named Stella Blue???
Reminds me of a story with my ol black lab. Took her to Adams when she was 10 and getting bit over the hill for this shit. It was 1995 and the road was blocked by downed trees, so it added about 4 miles to the first day.
By the time we made it to camp at 8500 she was exhausted. I literally had to put her food in front of her cause she was getting up. I didn't think she would rally the next day but she did and we made it up to the South summit and then skied down the SW Chutes.
We made it back to camp and she lied down and was done, literally. I could not get her to get up and follow me anymore. So from 8500 feet down to the snowline at 6500 I had to carry her in my arms. I had a 50 pound pack on my back and 75 pound black lab in my arms.
Man that was hard but I actually made without falling. Might have been the hardest ski of my life. LOL.
Got home and she did not move for about 3 days. That was her last big trip. Great dog!!!
Reminds me of a story with my ol black lab. Took her to Adams when she was 10 and getting bit over the hill for this shit. It was 1995 and the road was blocked by downed trees, so it added about 4 miles to the first day.
By the time we made it to camp at 8500 she was exhausted. I literally had to put her food in front of her cause she was getting up. I didn't think she would rally the next day but she did and we made it up to the South summit and then skied down the SW Chutes.
We made it back to camp and she lied down and was done, literally. I could not get her to get up and follow me anymore. So from 8500 feet down to the snowline at 6500 I had to carry her in my arms. I had a 50 pound pack on my back and 75 pound black lab in my arms.
Man that was hard but I actually made without falling. Might have been the hardest ski of my life. LOL.
Got home and she did not move for about 3 days. That was her last big trip. Great dog!!!
I had the same experience with my Black and Tan coonhound on Mt St Helens years ago. When we got off the snow a 65 pound hound lay down and let me know we were not moving if she had to do it all on her own. But they are such wonderful ski buddies- couldn't complain.
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