May 23, 2017, Sahale Arm

Great slush harvest up on Sahale Arm yesterday. Snow starts just before summer trailhead and bikes made the 2-3 mile road walk casual and fun. We were happy to make it to the pass and beyond before things got warm. The basin below the pass is debris carnage as advertised, but fortunately short and still quick to get through. Good snow for skinning up the arm!

Stopped at Sahale glacier camp as partner was fatigued and not motivated to make the summit. Still such an incredible panorama from that highpoint - I think this was the first totally bluebird day I've had in the Cascade River area! Not another party around either.

As expected, steeper (40+ degrees) south facing slopes and nearly all north facing slopes were ready to go, or in the process of going. Watched a huge slide cover almost the whole width of the Formidable Glacier, and another very impressive slide on Jberg resulting from a small cornice collapse. Debris from that slide settled in the brush below the usual avy fans in the valley! Lots of big cornices and blocks still perched quite precariously too - including Cache Col, Jberg Col, Mixup Peak. The usual traverse to Cache Col looked very spooky - by itself, and with everything looming above it. We were surprised to see tracks across it.

Beautiful day out.