TR Replies
Better safe than sorry. I made to around 12,000 feet took around 1 hour 5 minutes from Muir. I decided to go back down, I didn't want to be in a rush from the summit due to limited day light. Next time!!
Thanks Mark, thats all i was curious about. I was refering to the word 'firn' as anual pack but i guess it isnt firn quite yet.
way to get after it i'm jealous.
way to get after it i'm jealous.
Vince and I descended from the crater, ca. 9550 ft, down the Squak on Saturday: I assume that was you on your way up. I was on Rando and Vince was on Tele.
What a fabulous day. . .amazing. We skinned the whole way up and crossed the big crevasse at 8500+ by a rapidly deteriorating snow bridge and timely rope belay. That probably won't be skiable in a week or less, unless you jump. Above and below the snow was great fun, and down at the bottom steep sec...
What a fabulous day. . .amazing. We skinned the whole way up and crossed the big crevasse at 8500+ by a rapidly deteriorating snow bridge and timely rope belay. That probably won't be skiable in a week or less, unless you jump. Above and below the snow was great fun, and down at the bottom steep sec...
I was thinking the weather patterns of spring and early summer had more to do with the SW chute snow quality
Could it be a combination of both above average skier volume and weather patterns? It seems like upper elevations got a good amount of snow in late May thru early/mid June, then it warmed up rapidly not fully consolidating and everyone started hitting the bc. There was probably a higher concentration of skiers then since the weather for a...
Talking to Tom about Olympus got me psyched to try it, perhaps next year. And skiing with Tom and his lightweight gear (and sb on his a couple of weeks earlier) got me to return to my lightweight boots and realize that I had been taking my plastic boots for trips where they were overkill. It is really nice to be able to comfortably hike several miles of trail in ski boots, and not have all of that weight in the pack. Olympus sounds like one of those trips perfectly suited for such lightweight ge...
And of course I hope to remember bug spray. Is that why it's called spray park? ???
My friend who posts on TTips as Walter Sobhcak thought it was called Spray park because climbers go there to spray. ;)
And of course I hope to remember bug spray. Is that why it's called spray park? ???
Good one! That's interesting that you found lots of bugs, because when I was there last Wed-Thurs, I was surprised at how few there were in Spray Park compared to "normal".
There is a path over Knapsack Pass which is scenic, probably a little shorter, but probably just as much vertical (ups and downs either way). After the road has opened I usually t...
I'm not sure what you mean by "firn," which by my definition is snow which has survived one summer into the next season. All I saw up there was snow remaining from the winter just past, therefore not yet transformed into firn.
I didn't probe the snow anywhere, but the fact that hardly any crevasses are open, with only minimal dips in the glacier indicating gently sagging snowbridges, suggests that this year's snow still has some depth (and structural integrity) to it. On...
I didn't probe the snow anywhere, but the fact that hardly any crevasses are open, with only minimal dips in the glacier indicating gently sagging snowbridges, suggests that this year's snow still has some depth (and structural integrity) to it. On...
Nice report. I was climbing that day, through the dog route (ugh; had a friend with zero glacier experience, no Mazama). There was indeed a fair number of people skiing there, though some of them also descended the south route.
drC
drC
The snow surface was quite rough and heavily suncupped/cratered all the way from the top, the heavy traffic of June and early July has bombed out the surface on this route worse than I've ever seen before. I didn't think it was possible for a big mountain ski route to get so tracked out in summer conditions, but the SW Chutes have almost certainly seen more skiers this year than in any previous year and they appear to be suffering the ill effects....
Dreads... mabey- mabey not.
Any estimates on the amount of firn that is still left mid way up the Boulder- Park region?
Any estimates on the amount of firn that is still left mid way up the Boulder- Park region?
uh, no...
?
You wouldn't be referring to He of the blessed semi-dreadlock?
?
You wouldn't be referring to He of the blessed semi-dreadlock?
Just watch out for the granola guerilla...
You mean Granola Gorilla, right?
8)
Just watch out for the granola guerilla...
"Not tragic to die doing what you love. You want the ultimate thrill, you gotta be willing to pay the ultimate price..." 8)
Eh, Johnny?
Eh, Johnny?
I was just joking... it would be wrong to turn that trail into anything like the highways up to the CD or the Easton.
I think you misunderstood my point, which is to improve such trails for summer skiers (not necessarily for climbers or hikers).
I've long thought that the reason that some trails were left in an unmaintained condition (and thus allowed to deteriorate) by the USFS or NPS was simply a lack of funding or resources, not any de...
NO. We need to eradicate the trail. Then nobody will go there and we'll be able to ski fresh snow forever!!
You think that thing needs maintainance, Justin, do it with 188cm skis rather than your silly 166 board. ;D
In all seriousness, that trail should stay above the bogs, it would reduce the impact by a large amount. In general, though, I like that trail as is.
You think that thing needs maintainance, Justin, do it with 188cm skis rather than your silly 166 board. ;D
In all seriousness, that trail should stay above the bogs, it would reduce the impact by a large amount. In general, though, I like that trail as is.
----Maintaining a trail in general is a necessary evil. Not only do overgrown trails impede a hikers progress but they support alterior routes resulting in greater impacts to the environment. This can be a large problem in areas prone to erosion already, such as the side hilling opportunities above the meadow en route to the Boulder Glacier. Anyone who shows the initiative for basic trail maintanence should be applauded, just wait till the snow pack is at its thinest.
I was just joking... it would be wrong to turn that trail into anything like the highways up to the CD or the Easton. I don't know, there's something about the overgrown nature of the approach that just seems right. I thought it was really cool, except that I had ski gear on my back. It's just an amazing hike, and a unique experience that I'm sure is appreciated for it's wilderness feel by many others. As a first timer in that basin I felt pretty lucky to be there, at lea...
Would it be wrong to bring a machete and hack out a ridge trail? (Boulder "Ridge" Trail? WTF?) Yeah, I guess it would. ...
I think that "Boulder Ridge" refers to the trail's destination, not its route. But I like the idea of using a machete, or even better some loppers and a bow saw, to remove the numerous small trees and branches that impede progress along the upper trail beyond the bog. Such maintenance would best be done...
Eh? Yeah that approach sucks don't it? Well I don't see any real negativity from Mark... at least not compared to my praise for the Wanna-Shwhack. ;D Would it be wrong to bring a machete and hack out a ridge trail? (Boulder "Ridge" Trail? WTF?) Yeah, I guess it would. Anyway it's got to be better early season when you can skin over it all.
Yeah, CD and Easton are definitely much more convenient for just getting some turns in.
Yeah, CD and Easton are definitely much more convenient for just getting some turns in.
Mark,
Wasn't it a bit unnerving? Is it really as enjoyable without the overall traversing characteristic of the Coleman Deming? Wouldn't you rather wind around crevasses on a never ending 20 degree slope like the Easton route?
And what about all those logs across the trail with steps cut into them? I think they're disgusting; they represent an unsatisfactory marginalization of either wilderness experience or a quality trail.
I'm glad you managed to have a...
Wasn't it a bit unnerving? Is it really as enjoyable without the overall traversing characteristic of the Coleman Deming? Wouldn't you rather wind around crevasses on a never ending 20 degree slope like the Easton route?
And what about all those logs across the trail with steps cut into them? I think they're disgusting; they represent an unsatisfactory marginalization of either wilderness experience or a quality trail.
I'm glad you managed to have a...
Subtitle: Earning Turns on the World's Biggest Blue Groomer: a half-day on Saturday............
Hmmmmm.........
I think I need to have a word w/the Telemon.
SHHHH! Stealing our stashes! How could you! ;)
That's a horrible, horrible route, everybody should stay away from it AT ALL COSTS. Trust me. Really.
That's a horrible, horrible route, everybody should stay away from it AT ALL COSTS. Trust me. Really.
And Charles: nice photos. You managed to capture the intensity with which I was struggling to stay upright in the slushy, crusty snow.
What a great snow day, even if the weather wasn't great! Some of the best turns I've ever had on my touring skis. Charles knows the area well and guided us around in a whiteout with flawless precision.
Perhaps it should be noted that Tom has skied those same skis from just below the summit of Mt. Olympus. No, really.
Matt
Perhaps it should be noted that Tom has skied those same skis from just below the summit of Mt. Olympus. No, really.
Matt
Yes, I believe it is. We exited this drainage as mentioned at 5110 which is just before it really got deep. The trail crossed this drainage at approximately 200 feet below. Left the trail maybe 200 yards east of this on the way up and the small ridge had a faded boot/animal track to another snow finger. Of course the snow is shrinking every day there but a lot more than south side of Rainier in this elevation range. Climbing to the west side of Crag View should work by staying on available snow....
Yay on the rescuers (and thanks for being there labrador), and even w/o a SAR scenario that camp is pretty noisy at night, but there are plenty of other spots to camp short of the road end for those of us who will trade a short drive in the early AM for a little quiet...
Yep, he sure knows the area, but Joe has a backyard advantage living so close.
We did have to jump and side step some sections to conect the snow patches. Now that I think about it, Joe is luck he only hit one rock on that trip. Great fun in those chutes, I know I'm going back a bit earlier next year ;D
We did have to jump and side step some sections to conect the snow patches. Now that I think about it, Joe is luck he only hit one rock on that trip. Great fun in those chutes, I know I'm going back a bit earlier next year ;D
It's crazy what 2 weeks does to smooth snow. I think some of those bumps on the lower right side are our group's tracks from weeks before that melted out. Nice pictures Ron.
I musta missed the whole ufo thing while I was busy working on my walker. It's just not made for mountain climbing.
Great report Stefan. Great trip, gang; the kind great memories are made of.
I finally got my pics from the trip up at:
http://groups.msn.com/WildHeartsSkiing/pictures
You can see how gnarly the snow surface is getting towards the bottom of the chutes in some of the later shots.
Great report Stefan. Great trip, gang; the kind great memories are made of.
I finally got my pics from the trip up at:
http://groups.msn.com/WildHeartsSkiing/pictures
You can see how gnarly the snow surface is getting towards the bottom of the chutes in some of the later shots.
I, too find it refreshing to hear from our SAR bretheren.
Nice report, Corey, I would have willingly hopped out of the sack to meet you had I known you were lurking about :)
Nice report, Corey, I would have willingly hopped out of the sack to meet you had I known you were lurking about :)
You guys (that includes you, Lara, in a non-gender specific way, of course :)) certainly milked out a bunch more turns out of Sourdough Ridge after I thought it was long over. My hat's off to you. That Joe sure knows where the goods are on that side of the mountain. I always get a kick out of the "rock star" status we garner from the tourists skiing at Sunrise. Maybe that's where the MadDog gets her saying "party like a rock star", eh?
Good j...
Good j...
Hi NickD.
Is that alternate descent immediately right of Crag View.
Is it the deep drainage climbers left of the trail near the bottom?
Is that alternate descent immediately right of Crag View.
Is it the deep drainage climbers left of the trail near the bottom?
yup, same group...lots of White Pass folk on the trip (Steve and Sam Schoch, Kurt, etc)...and myself, the lone Seattlite.
Went up there today (Thursday). The chutes just east of Antler (where the big wooden sign is) require a downclimb on some of the loosest scree/mud ever. I wouldn't even have bothered, but a group of 10-year-olds dared me. Did the 4 available patches of snow in there, then moved east to the next group of 4 or 5 chutes. Only 2 were top-to-bottom: one of the steeper runs that narrowed to about 3-feet wide after a couple quick turns before opening up; and a very mild, though longer, run further east...
Yeah good job on the rescue. 10 hours seems really fast!
My comment on the use of skis is based on this: in situation where one would find it necessary to use snowshoes (i.e. deep/soft snow) I believe that skis will always be faster and peform at least as well in precarious situations, both on the ascent and descent (assuming competent ability, which it sounds like many rescue volunteers have). But then again it's not like just anyone can just throw on a pair of skis, like the...
My comment on the use of skis is based on this: in situation where one would find it necessary to use snowshoes (i.e. deep/soft snow) I believe that skis will always be faster and peform at least as well in precarious situations, both on the ascent and descent (assuming competent ability, which it sounds like many rescue volunteers have). But then again it's not like just anyone can just throw on a pair of skis, like the...
I decided to revive this old thread because I found a photo by Charles in the Snow Images section that if i'm not mistaken shows the route we skied that day.
http://www.turns-all-year.com/gmtanorth/image/061xyz.jpg
The photo shows Andy making turns in nice looking snow on what looks like the pinnacle glacier. We came down the face in the top of the image and through the chute between the rocks. From the Beckey it looks like it is the pinnacle glacier headwall, first skied in 1...
http://www.turns-all-year.com/gmtanorth/image/061xyz.jpg
The photo shows Andy making turns in nice looking snow on what looks like the pinnacle glacier. We came down the face in the top of the image and through the chute between the rocks. From the Beckey it looks like it is the pinnacle glacier headwall, first skied in 1...
Thanks for posting the info labrador. Noone thinks it will happen to them, but it cool that there are so many people willing to help an injured climber when they really need it. You can wake me up anytime you need to. I should probably wear ear plugs at busy trailheads anyways as I can be a light sleeper.
Hearing about similar incidents (and I'm sure there have probably been plenty) I wonder if something could be added to the signage at the TH warning folks to take their...
Hearing about similar incidents (and I'm sure there have probably been plenty) I wonder if something could be added to the signage at the TH warning folks to take their...
Hello - I was one of the Mtn Rescue personnel on Adams for the evacuation Sunday of a 25 yr old female with an injured lower leg, which she sustained near the false summit while glissading (with crampons on). I'm a member of Central Washington Mountain Rescue, based in Yakima. We were the unit in charge of the mission, and were assisted by Tacoma Mtn Rescue, Portland Mtn Rescue, Crag Rats (Hood River), and Klickitat County SAR. All personnel are volunteers.
I wanted to c...
I wanted to c...
That ufo sure did come close. ;D Nice pics Jerry and Stephan. Was up there as one of the best trips I have been on thus far. The Chick Magnet pulled thru in style even though I was sketched at first.
There were a LOT of berries! I kept expecting to run into a bear and have to fend it off with my Whippets. 8)
Yeah, the red ones were gross. But still better than GU.
Yeah, the red ones were gross. But still better than GU.
The final crux of the climb was stopping just long enough to grab a salmonberry so that the black flies didn't get a chance to land...
And what's up with the red ones? For some reason I just assumed that the red ones would be sweeter... ???
And what's up with the red ones? For some reason I just assumed that the red ones would be sweeter... ???
I thought it was all about the bounteous salmonberries on the trail! yum!
Ok, time to set the record straight. Actually what happened was that 13 molecules of gaseous O3 collided at particularly high energy, causing a butterfly to cough on a leaf in Uganda, roughly two years before we set foot on the route. The leaf caused the remaining 7 ozone particles to accelerate at an anomalous rate of speed toward the upper atmosphere, altering weather patterns sufficiently to give Emilio Esteves a particularly rich-hued tan. An especially bronzed Esteves slep...
Thanks for posting the report Lara.
We milked out another day in those chutes. It was great to hook up with Silas and You! Very accurate report on the trip. You forgot to mention your new boards. Good job on keeping them clean. I was not as lucky. >:( Still much fun to be had.
Have fun-good luck in August-
JDB
We milked out another day in those chutes. It was great to hook up with Silas and You! Very accurate report on the trip. You forgot to mention your new boards. Good job on keeping them clean. I was not as lucky. >:( Still much fun to be had.
Have fun-good luck in August-
JDB
Sounds like a lot of FUN!!! Great pictures-of course. Good Work all!!
Nice shot of the Chick Magnet Sag! That thing was burning love!
JDB
Nice shot of the Chick Magnet Sag! That thing was burning love!
JDB
Hey Man...screw you're camera's clock & don't mess with the guy who outdrank everybody at Ben's party (with the exception of Sky and Amar) >:(
Actually, we did sit around there for about 1/2 hr, so that put us there around 1:45. BTW, I wasn't saying anything bad about anybody's time...never ever 8). I was just trying to state how cool we were for skiing down the RWall at 5:45pm (near dark) January '03....you would have loved it Paul ;D