June 15, 2005, Muir
6/15/05
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
3586
3
I started up from Paradise at 10:00. I poked snow along the way and it was hard and I thought this isn't good. It must have gone through a melt, refreeze cycle lower down. But it got better the higher I went, suggesting that until today, the temp had remained below freezing above 7500.
I started skinning just past Pebble creek. On lower Muir, there was a sun-softened surface layer, with patches of mylar-like snow that may once have been ice. Further up, there was only a layer of packed powder over a consolidated base. Made Muir at 12:45 after some problems with snow sticking to my skins.
Left Muir at two and found great turning down to 8500 or so. The snowfield is in great shape, smooth, white and appealing. Lower down, the snow got a little sticky, but it was still fine skiing.
Weather-wise, it was great. NWS was calling for 5,000 foot freezing level. I just don't know where they came up with that. Paradise was balmy, as Paradise should be, right? I don't think it felt like freezing until maybe 8,000 or higher. Views were profound and awesome. Hood was visible, in spite of some haze.
I don't know what Thursday's rain will do, if it comes, but I'm glad I took advantage of today's window. It was among the top 5 days I've ever had on the Muir snowfield.
I started skinning just past Pebble creek. On lower Muir, there was a sun-softened surface layer, with patches of mylar-like snow that may once have been ice. Further up, there was only a layer of packed powder over a consolidated base. Made Muir at 12:45 after some problems with snow sticking to my skins.
Left Muir at two and found great turning down to 8500 or so. The snowfield is in great shape, smooth, white and appealing. Lower down, the snow got a little sticky, but it was still fine skiing.
Weather-wise, it was great. NWS was calling for 5,000 foot freezing level. I just don't know where they came up with that. Paradise was balmy, as Paradise should be, right? I don't think it felt like freezing until maybe 8,000 or higher. Views were profound and awesome. Hood was visible, in spite of some haze.
I don't know what Thursday's rain will do, if it comes, but I'm glad I took advantage of today's window. It was among the top 5 days I've ever had on the Muir snowfield.
Muir in 2Hrs 45 mins!, you where fassssssst! My best time is 3hrs 45 mins but I 'm an old fart.Thanks for the report. I might just slog up there this weekend.
2:45 is fast... Thanks for the descriptive info. on the boot-packing requirements.
Scotsman, I may be heading to Muir this Sunday morning weather and time permitting.
I'll be away from the email until Saturday night. Send me a PM or email if you think there's a possiblilty of meeting up at Paradise. Hoping to leave the Paradise lot by 8:30am, monitoring radio channel 1-23.
Scotsman, I may be heading to Muir this Sunday morning weather and time permitting.
I'll be away from the email until Saturday night. Send me a PM or email if you think there's a possiblilty of meeting up at Paradise. Hoping to leave the Paradise lot by 8:30am, monitoring radio channel 1-23.
2:45 is flying. You deserve a cheeseburger and a beer! I've done it in 3 hrs but I feel like crap, so I intentionally slow it up to 3:30 about. I hit Muir Sunday 6-12 & agree the upper snow was grrrrreat! You picked a good day as I had a cloud layer at about 8500'; white out below that point. I wanted to do the main Nisqually chute, but I was solo & figured I better follow the wans on down the 'muir highway'. Morning of 6-12 there was a couple inches of new at the parking lot! Smooth & fresh surface above 8000' was excellent. The forecast is a mixed bag, but I'll be up there waiting for clearings! Ever do the extra 200-300' steep run above Muir? It's just on the left of camp from ascending hikers vantage pt. If I have the energy & clearing, I'd love to link that on down to the Nisqually chute (steep, flat, steep) and slap high fives. 8)
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