May 8-13, 2015, Mini Volcano Tour (WA and OR)
5/8/15
2512
2
Blatant repost from the other place... apologies.
6 days on skis... a mini volcano tour: Rainier attempt May 8-9, then touring around Bend.
The approach across the Nisqually and up the Wilson was leisurely in the warm sun.
We camped at 9300ft on the Wapowety. Beautiful spot. Warm rocks, great views, collectible water running over ledges.
Watched three dudes make some nice evening turns down the Nisqually Chutes.
Last of the sun on the camp spot.
Sunrise from 12k ish.
Big crack across the the top of the Fuhrer, into the Nisqually.
Upper Nisq.
Turned around at 12.9k due to altitude wackiness. Skiing was shitty until entering the Finger proper.
Packed up camp and skidaddled at 1100. Great turns all the way to the lower Nisq.
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https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5458/17040256114_97b6ffe0e6_b.jpg" />
Drove through Bend, OR the next day and skied into the Three Sisters Wilderness. Two pals from Bozeman had skied in earlier that day to set up camp and ski Broken Top. The weather was changing, and my approach that evening was accompanied by frequent thunder and showers.
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https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5336/17475043340_01b77aaacf_b.jpg" />
The forecast on the weather radio the next morning suggested we get the fuck outta there, so we skied out and went to the Deschutes brewery for the remainder of Monday.
We awoke Tuesday to 8 inches of wind-whipped powder in the high country, and opted for a couple laps of the closed Mt Bachelor.
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https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5454/17042334493_1cca70875b_b.jpg" />
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https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5458/17474857978_be07e0f494_b.jpg" />
On Wednesday the 13th, we made the approach to South Sister via the Devil's Lake TH.
Skinnable snow was encountered near 6200ft.
![]()
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5462/17662695345_05612e18c2_b.jpg" />
The rest of the day was beautiful and wintry, overcast, between layers of clouds. I had to return to Seattle that day, so I bailed at 8k and had a highly enjoyable ski and deproach out to the truck. My buddies continued to the summit. Congrats to them for a nice volcano summit trifecta in the area.
![]()
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8821/17662692825_8b565921b1_b.jpg" />
6 days on skis... a mini volcano tour: Rainier attempt May 8-9, then touring around Bend.
The approach across the Nisqually and up the Wilson was leisurely in the warm sun.
We camped at 9300ft on the Wapowety. Beautiful spot. Warm rocks, great views, collectible water running over ledges.
Watched three dudes make some nice evening turns down the Nisqually Chutes.
Last of the sun on the camp spot.
Sunrise from 12k ish.
Big crack across the the top of the Fuhrer, into the Nisqually.
Upper Nisq.
Turned around at 12.9k due to altitude wackiness. Skiing was shitty until entering the Finger proper.
Packed up camp and skidaddled at 1100. Great turns all the way to the lower Nisq.
Drove through Bend, OR the next day and skied into the Three Sisters Wilderness. Two pals from Bozeman had skied in earlier that day to set up camp and ski Broken Top. The weather was changing, and my approach that evening was accompanied by frequent thunder and showers.
The forecast on the weather radio the next morning suggested we get the fuck outta there, so we skied out and went to the Deschutes brewery for the remainder of Monday.
We awoke Tuesday to 8 inches of wind-whipped powder in the high country, and opted for a couple laps of the closed Mt Bachelor.
On Wednesday the 13th, we made the approach to South Sister via the Devil's Lake TH.
Skinnable snow was encountered near 6200ft.
The rest of the day was beautiful and wintry, overcast, between layers of clouds. I had to return to Seattle that day, so I bailed at 8k and had a highly enjoyable ski and deproach out to the truck. My buddies continued to the summit. Congrats to them for a nice volcano summit trifecta in the area.
Nice work!
Nice - looks like a lot of fun... we are thinking alike - I had almost the same itinerary in mind for next week - don't think weather is looking that great then either, though, nor anywhere else within a reasonable drive :/
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