July 8, 2006, Sherman Peak, Koma Kulshan
7/8/06
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
3305
6
Thought I would give a conditions update (squak, squak). Skinnable snow starts at 4800' on the Scott Paul trail. The snow is very suncupped, making for poor skiing up to about 7000'on the Squak Glacier. We skinned over this surface with hopes of skiing the Talum Glacier off of Sherman Peak, which looked to have better snow. The snow on the Squak became better, but not great from 7-9k, and above 9,000' it was actually smooth. There is an interesting crevasse crossing at approx. 8700'. On a brighter note, the clarity of the air yesterday was extraordinary, making the views sublime. Once on Sherman, we found a bergshrund surrounding the steep summit, and a huge crevasse going wall to wall high on the Talum. It was not to be, so we skied off Sherman onto the Squak. Here are some pics....(hoping for a refresher snow on Thursday night with 7500' snow levels!!)
Iceman says you're liking the new Jack BC's, Toby. Check out the Drop Knee linked photo. I was finally able to get all that lahar mud/concrete off my boots...it took some major scrubbing though.
Deep:
http://www.biglines.com/photos_large.php?photo_id=62765
Views:
http://www.biglines.com/photos_large.php?photo_id=62766
Drop Knee
http://www.biglines.com/photos_large.php?photo_id=62767
Deep:
http://www.biglines.com/photos_large.php?photo_id=62765
Views:
http://www.biglines.com/photos_large.php?photo_id=62766
Drop Knee
http://www.biglines.com/photos_large.php?photo_id=62767
Thanks Iceman, you can be my wingman anytime...Damn, they changed the forecast ::)
For those interested, you can check out the current suncup situation in a picture located in the Squock Glacier TR from July, 9th. That picture is at approx. 7500', when they are smaller. It's interesting how different people interpret the same conditions. I guess my alias as "optimist prime" may be in jeopardy!!
RB and I were up there Saturday and saw you guys descend. What time did you start Toby? We were heading for summit via Roman Wall. One particular crevasse half way up that required an end run on lava rock thus de-skiing both up and then down (too big for 50 somethings to jump). So we called it a summit at just over 10,000. Still a pretty good 5200' run. Some smooth and some bumpy. Mr tele instructor was using a lot of parallels on tired legs.
That was a good spot you found at the appr 8800' crevasse crossing. We followed your track.
That was a good spot you found at the appr 8800' crevasse crossing. We followed your track.
author=TobyT link=topic=5098.msg21434#msg21434 date=1152505023]
Thanks Iceman, you can be my wingman anytime...
Bullshit! You can be mine...
Sorry, just couldn't leave that untouched. Nice work again boys -- Toby, I only saw that knee drop 3 or 4 times in FM! Looking good.
Matt, photogenic as always. 8)
;D I'm glad you got that Marcus! My favorite movies; Top Gun and First Blood!!
But I was on AT gear!!! I do remember the tele-daddys though. :)
NickD- we left early (4:30) from the truck, but we had a sick person in the group and lingered at around 6,000' to watch the vocal projectile vomiting episode. I turns out Laurent (my brother-in-law) had food poisoning, but we didn't know it at the time and he wished us onward and upward.
author=Marcus link=topic=5098.msg21454#msg21454 date=1152572998]
I only saw that knee drop 3 or 4 times in FM! Looking good.
But I was on AT gear!!! I do remember the tele-daddys though. :)
NickD- we left early (4:30) from the truck, but we had a sick person in the group and lingered at around 6,000' to watch the vocal projectile vomiting episode. I turns out Laurent (my brother-in-law) had food poisoning, but we didn't know it at the time and he wished us onward and upward.
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