December 01, Bullion Basin
12/15/07
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
4958
6
First trip out this year. Skinned up Bullion Basin with Will and my dog and found great snow and even some blue skies.
Besides the group of 30 snowshoers, we saw about a dozen folks and a few other dogs. Great crisp cold weather.
We found excellent snow dropping of the back side towards basin lakes. There were still some obstacles in the deep that were especially dangerous with a dropped knee - I have a new hole in my ski pants and scratch on the plastic knee pad as a reminder to look out with early season turns.
We skinned back up to Norse peak and headed again great turns in slightly shallower powder.
The snow on top was still unconsolidated and there was only minor sloughing even on the steeper aspects.
All in all a great first day for this season.
more photos here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.spruance/BullionBasin12107
Besides the group of 30 snowshoers, we saw about a dozen folks and a few other dogs. Great crisp cold weather.
We found excellent snow dropping of the back side towards basin lakes. There were still some obstacles in the deep that were especially dangerous with a dropped knee - I have a new hole in my ski pants and scratch on the plastic knee pad as a reminder to look out with early season turns.
We skinned back up to Norse peak and headed again great turns in slightly shallower powder.
The snow on top was still unconsolidated and there was only minor sloughing even on the steeper aspects.
All in all a great first day for this season.
more photos here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.spruance/BullionBasin12107
For all those who were in Bullion Basin on Dec 1st, Looking for anyone who would have seen a group 3 snowboarders: 2 on snowshoes, 1 on a splitboard going out for an overnight. Hoping for a last seen point or any words that were exchanged that would help with the search:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/updates/story/221828.html
shoot me a pm or email if you have anything.
-Thanks.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/updates/story/221828.html
shoot me a pm or email if you have anything.
-Thanks.
I saw these guys drop into Union Creek.
Check your PM and call me for details.
Joe
Great picture of that dog of yours! Great dog good to semi-meet you guys on the trail!
Check your PM and call me for details.
Joe
Great picture of that dog of yours! Great dog good to semi-meet you guys on the trail!
How do you keep your cutie's paws clear of snow?
Hannah is my old Neufoundland. She only rides on shallow, short, warmer days since she stopped dead and refused to move a few Novembers back. However, I took her out at Chinook on a cold day a few weeks ago. After repeatedly skinning over her in the trail as she stopped to clear her paws, I tried duct tape. She was not having that.
Any ideas?
Hannah is my old Neufoundland. She only rides on shallow, short, warmer days since she stopped dead and refused to move a few Novembers back. However, I took her out at Chinook on a cold day a few weeks ago. After repeatedly skinning over her in the trail as she stopped to clear her paws, I tried duct tape. She was not having that.
Any ideas?
Out dog has pretty short hair - he is a rotty german shepherd mix. Subsequently never had a problem with snow in his paws. He does get very cold if we stop for extended periods or stay overnight. He has spent a few too many nights in my sleeping bag, so a dog coat is in the works. I have seen his paws get a bit cut up in hard snow conditions, but nothing too bad.
Some folks had some ideas about snow in the paws here:
http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=8312.0
Pam, vegy oil, butter, vaseline...
Joedabaker, were you the guys with some blistered feet?
Some folks had some ideas about snow in the paws here:
http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?topic=8312.0
Pam, vegy oil, butter, vaseline...
Joedabaker, were you the guys with some blistered feet?
I often let my dogs chew the snowballs out of their toes. Problem is, they deplete their fur of its oils so the problem gets worse and we get slower and slower...
If not booties then the commercial stuff is called "Musher's Secret". It is found all over the net if you search on it. The homemade version is as follows, scale accordingly and keep it warm in the field:
3 lbs. Vaseline
50 to 70 mL Betadine
1 lb. lanolin
0.5 lb. glycerin
Optionally add;
40 to 90 mL medical grade DMSO
Vitamins A and E
Melt slowly, stirring constantly, and pour into containers.
You can toughen a dog's paws with zinc supplements (zinc gluconate?). I have never done so, preferring superglue and a bootie if things get bad. Example:
http://www.howlingdogalaska.com/zincgluco.html
If not booties then the commercial stuff is called "Musher's Secret". It is found all over the net if you search on it. The homemade version is as follows, scale accordingly and keep it warm in the field:
3 lbs. Vaseline
50 to 70 mL Betadine
1 lb. lanolin
0.5 lb. glycerin
Optionally add;
40 to 90 mL medical grade DMSO
Vitamins A and E
Melt slowly, stirring constantly, and pour into containers.
You can toughen a dog's paws with zinc supplements (zinc gluconate?). I have never done so, preferring superglue and a bootie if things get bad. Example:
http://www.howlingdogalaska.com/zincgluco.html
I suspected that vasaline may be involved. I like the idea! I'm may have to try it out!
I actually have a set of booties I picked up at the dollar store, but I feel terrible taking her natural crampons.
I actually have a set of booties I picked up at the dollar store, but I feel terrible taking her natural crampons.
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