June 6, 2017, Cowlitz Chimneys, MRNP
6/6/17
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
1948
0
Approached in shoes via Owyhigh Lakes trail. Switched to boots and skinned where trail crosses over creek on bridge half mile before Owyhigh Lakes, but continuous snow was had before hand near final uphill switchback of trail. Good snow coverage in Owyhigh Lakes basin up to Governors Ridge lines with lakes ~16% melted out. Easy skin up to false summit of Tamanos and nice ride down off the ridge via 6200' west gully to Sarvant moraine.
Skinned up Sarvant and booted last steep bit to 6600' col between Cowlitz Chimneys North and Central Peaks. On NW side of col, there's a moat forming which might be more tricky as melting continues. Ride down on the SE side was smooth through choke with some sluff management.
From 5400' where it flattens out, skinned back up the cowlitz chimneys main couloir which was littered w/ soft avy rubble. Currently, over hanging cornices line the ridge crest on top of couloir except on the far south side towards 7505' Cowlitz Chimney where a steep boot allows clear exit/entry.
Traversed on south slopes to hop on the smooth Sarvant corn delight ride to 5300' waterfall. Followed Kenji's skin track back up over Tamanos saddle (thanks!).
Note: Witnessed one north facing cornice collapse @ ~15:00 and heard (presumably) two others throughout the afternoon.
Tamanos west face
Tamanos NE basin
Cowlitz Chimneys and Sarvant Glaciers
SE side of 6600' col
View back up the choke
Cowlitz chimneys main couloir lookers left. Down route center of pic curving left out of sight.
Cornices over Cowlitz Chimneys main couloir
Map: Red=up. Blue=down
Skinned up Sarvant and booted last steep bit to 6600' col between Cowlitz Chimneys North and Central Peaks. On NW side of col, there's a moat forming which might be more tricky as melting continues. Ride down on the SE side was smooth through choke with some sluff management.
From 5400' where it flattens out, skinned back up the cowlitz chimneys main couloir which was littered w/ soft avy rubble. Currently, over hanging cornices line the ridge crest on top of couloir except on the far south side towards 7505' Cowlitz Chimney where a steep boot allows clear exit/entry.
Traversed on south slopes to hop on the smooth Sarvant corn delight ride to 5300' waterfall. Followed Kenji's skin track back up over Tamanos saddle (thanks!).
Note: Witnessed one north facing cornice collapse @ ~15:00 and heard (presumably) two others throughout the afternoon.
Tamanos west face
Tamanos NE basin
Cowlitz Chimneys and Sarvant Glaciers
SE side of 6600' col
View back up the choke
Cowlitz chimneys main couloir lookers left. Down route center of pic curving left out of sight.
Cornices over Cowlitz Chimneys main couloir
Map: Red=up. Blue=down
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