Pipeline & Airplane 04-17-05

[Lftgly]

Here's some quick picts from day #2 of a great weekend!

 

[awf170]

how do you think airplane and pipeline will be may 7 and 8, look pretty awsome in those pics

 

[hamdog]

friggin finals got me down.
i'm in the middle of a three week break from being on the snow.
these pics just made me completely jelous. sweet pics! thanks for sharing.

 

[awf170]

its confirmed now that the auto road will open the 8th , think im going to be there or in the upper snowfields, got any advice for the great gulf, i never been there before?

 

[Patrick]

its confirmed now that the auto road will open the 8th

MMMMhhhh :!: :!: :!:

Mind you, I have said that a few years in a row. Just the weekend my friend is planning to go. :shock:

 

[Lftgly]

awf, it's a very steep snow climb back up out of Great Gulf. Make sure you are prepared to get yourself back up, before you ski or ride down. The steepness of the climb is unsettling to anyone unfamiliar with climbing steep gullies, similar to the top of Left Gully in Tucks. Park in the lot on climbers right near the 6000 foot marker, hike down the footpath connecting to Gulfside Trail, and follow it down towards Clay Col. Look for the big boulder marking top of Airplane (it will undoubtably also be marked by a group of skiers congregating). Good news about the Auto Road opening that early, though all it will take is one good snowstorm to postpone that opening date.

 

[Patrick]

Any though on how it will hold up until the 8th?

 

[JimG.]

Any though on how it will hold up until the 8th?

There was a ton of snow this past weekend, but the rain did do some serious damage. The waterfall on the headwall blew out and I'm sure there is some serious undermining. The little headwall is gone. The snow in the bowl actually slumped downhill as a result of the extra weight from getting waterlogged.

All that said, there is still plenty of snow there. A few freeze/thaw cycles ought to fix up the surfaces. I'm planning on a return trip on 5/7, 5/14 if the weather dictates.

 

[Patrick]

Thanks Jim, but I was talking about the Great Gulf.

 

[JimG.]

Thanks Jim, but I was talking about the Great Gulf.

I figured as much; I'm guessing that the conditions and snow losses were similar to what happened in the ravine. It poured cats and dogs up there on Sunday.