Mark Renson
New member
For roughly a year, we were intrigued by some NE aspects on an obscure peak in a region known for heavy snowfall :idea: .......
OK, so we finally went for it on Saturday. Under gloomy skies we skinned up, making frequent checks with maps/compasses/GPS' and much discussion and observation. If anything, this would be a fact finding mission. Near the top, we could not skin any further - perhaps there's a way. With probe poles, we measured the snowpack at 5 feet. Hmmm, might this be in a snow drift, we though. We measured a 2nd spot and got 5 feet. So, off we went on our descents. Was this perhaps truly "wild snow"? 8) Snow was heavy, but I got the hang of it and was happy with my turns 8) . We were pleasantly surprised to find many skiable lines as we made our way down to the fork of a brook. Up again for more fact finding and near the top we made another snow depth measurement and once again we came up with 5 feet. Not bad for a lousy year. Snow was falling from the sky at a brisk rate with graupel mixed in. I found a nice line and was seduced by the more NE aspect where the snow was better. But, I was going too far right and had to come back to the others. At the end of our day, we negotiated some schwack and stream crossings, but were still very pleased that our homework had paid off and we can't wait for just an average season! We ended our day by pulling out a hibachi, burgers and beers and trading war stories - the way it should be!
Today, we thought we would certainly find some more treasures in a different spot given that we were on a roll :idea: . A bit of a slog in and then up some crust in the lonely notch. We found schwack and headed East ......where we found more schwack and evidence of a place that was hammered most likely by the '98 Ice Storm. Great terrain was found on the perfect aspect with plenty of brush. Perhaps this was a mecca years ago that has now been lost. Rough trip out with the beaver pond crossing being the only easy part.
OK, so we finally went for it on Saturday. Under gloomy skies we skinned up, making frequent checks with maps/compasses/GPS' and much discussion and observation. If anything, this would be a fact finding mission. Near the top, we could not skin any further - perhaps there's a way. With probe poles, we measured the snowpack at 5 feet. Hmmm, might this be in a snow drift, we though. We measured a 2nd spot and got 5 feet. So, off we went on our descents. Was this perhaps truly "wild snow"? 8) Snow was heavy, but I got the hang of it and was happy with my turns 8) . We were pleasantly surprised to find many skiable lines as we made our way down to the fork of a brook. Up again for more fact finding and near the top we made another snow depth measurement and once again we came up with 5 feet. Not bad for a lousy year. Snow was falling from the sky at a brisk rate with graupel mixed in. I found a nice line and was seduced by the more NE aspect where the snow was better. But, I was going too far right and had to come back to the others. At the end of our day, we negotiated some schwack and stream crossings, but were still very pleased that our homework had paid off and we can't wait for just an average season! We ended our day by pulling out a hibachi, burgers and beers and trading war stories - the way it should be!
Today, we thought we would certainly find some more treasures in a different spot given that we were on a roll :idea: . A bit of a slog in and then up some crust in the lonely notch. We found schwack and headed East ......where we found more schwack and evidence of a place that was hammered most likely by the '98 Ice Storm. Great terrain was found on the perfect aspect with plenty of brush. Perhaps this was a mecca years ago that has now been lost. Rough trip out with the beaver pond crossing being the only easy part.