August 3, 2014, Rainier, Cowlitz Glacier
8/3/14
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
3460
2
Recruited the ever reliable Mr. Wong for some August turns on Sunday. After meeting a couple skiers at 4th Creek who told us the Cowlitz looked too crevassed to ski, we decided that was probably code for "a good place to check out", with the standard Paradise always a reliable alternative. Skied from the Paradise-Cowlitz Pinnacle Col down to the Cowlitz flats, then skinned up the Cowlitz to ~8000 to where it was possible to traverse onto the Paradise, and further vertical progress was blocked by ice cliff and a huge crevasse. From there, dropped back down the Cowlitz, carving well softened sun cups-- Great skiing for August and good by any standard for Spring/Summer. Climbed up back over the Col, and with a couple short carries were still able to ski within 100' of Stevens Van Trump Monument. From the number of tracks, it looked like a busy day on the Paradise, though no moguls...yet!
author=SteveS link=topic=32130.msg135004#msg135004 date=1407307628]
Recruited the ever reliable Mr. Wong for some August turns on Sunday. After meeting a couple skiers at 4th Creek who told us the Cowlitz looked too crevassed to ski, we decided that was probably code for "a good place to check out", with the standard Paradise always a reliable alternative. Skied from the Paradise-Cowlitz Pinnacle Col down to the Cowlitz flats, then skinned up the Cowlitz to ~8000 to where it was possible to traverse onto the Paradise, and further vertical progress was blocked by ice cliff and a huge crevasse. From there, dropped back down the Cowlitz, carving well softened sun cups-- Great skiing for August and good by any standard for Spring/Summer. Climbed up back over the Col, and with a couple short carries were still able to ski within 100' of Stevens Van Trump Monument. From the number of tracks, it looked like a busy day on the Paradise, though no moguls...yet!
Hi Steve,
I am glad you didn't listen to us and went for it anyway. It's good to know that in early August of this dry year there is still a reliable way to get to 8K on Cowlitz and link up to Paradise - it surely adds variety.
Paradise skied well from ~9000 down, a bit sun-cuppy and covered by dust. Crevasses were manageable, mostly if you go in the center - no need for any weaving.
I am glad you didn't listen to us and went for it anyway. It's good to know that in early August of this dry year there is still a reliable way to get to 8K on Cowlitz and link up to Paradise - it surely adds variety.
Paradise skied well from ~9000 down, a bit sun-cuppy and covered by dust. Crevasses were manageable, mostly if you go in the center - no need for any weaving.
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