ski_photomatt

It's straight forward to cross from the Klawatti to the N. Klawatti at about 6700 ft, near the cross in this map topozone map I've only seen it with snow, but can't imagine it is difficult without. I'm pretty sure there is info in the Beckey guide.

Yup, that was probably us. Nice to meet you Dustin We were doing things a little backwards on Sunday. We wore sneakers to the summit (or my partner to the false summit), then hiked out the couple miles on the RMT and South climb trail to the car in tele boots with shoes strapped to our packs

I wore sneakers all the way up on Sunday. Without a well established boot pack, I would have needed beefier boots and/or crampons, but with bomber steps it wasn't an issue. I climbed with ski poles and one whippet, which wasn't strictly necessary, but was added insurance. Dry socks were nice to change into at the summit. Carried an axe, but never used it.

You could also box up a bike and bring it from Mass. Stash it at the Downey Creek exit, then ride as far as you need to make it back to Cascade Pass before getting a ride. Depending on what time you get out on Friday, you should be able to hitch a ride back to Marblemount once you get out to 530, and hopefully from there down the Cascade River Rd. That only leaves the ~20 miles on the Suiattle Rd to ride. Worst case, it's 60 miles from Downey Creek to Cascade Pass TH, which certainly is a long way, but not impossible..

... yell and scream, make a bunch of noise. It's always worked for me, but then I've never been that close to a bear, nor have I ever startled one.

Dunno about the road. I've never skied up there (hiked up Obs. Rock once, pretty spot) but I thought I'd point you over to turns-all-year as there is lots of info about this tour. The fellow who runs the board, Charles, is a big fan of this area and has posted lots of detailed trip reports and photos in years past (try a search). He also went up there a few weeks ago w/ bikes up the road and posted a trip report. Have fun!

There is a ladder to the remaining bridge. I suspect it was the forest service as there has been some other work done too - the guard rails are gone, and there is a large road block about 1/4 mile before the bridge with a newly cleared lot for a few cars. The crossing is now delightfully uneventful.

They are easy to walk across, someone from the park service even put a log in key place for a stream crossing. It's conceivable if the water was running really high it would bury the log, but not likely. Even still, it's a small stream.

Here's a photo from the national forest website (web site ) Perhaps it's possible to cross on or near the guard rail to the intact bridge remnant?

From Cascade Pass last Friday the snow line looked to be about the top of the boulder field. Can't say for certain though because we only saw it from a distance.

I can second lummox's "July = mosquitos" We were there in July a few years back (only time I've been to the Winds, we went to the Northern Winds) and they were swarming everywhere. We certainly were glad we had a tent to rest in to be able to get away from them for a bit. Thunderstorms are a real threat there in the afternoon, and best keep an eye out for them. I got caught high on Fremont Peak (standard class 3 route) in a thunderstorm, it just about scared the crap out of me. We were quite surprised as how not empty they were. There were quite a few other parties camped in Titcomb Basin and a good number of horse packers. Don't expect complete solitude in the more well known places unless you go in the off season.

This was Phil's baby. He scoped out the line, and it was his drive that got us up and down. I was just along for the ride. The weather was great, taking off Friday was well worth it It's amazing how strapping on a pair of 195's changes your skiing style, especially in a steep couloir. The snow on Sahale arm above Cascade Pass isn't continuous anymore, and the direct descent from Cascade Pass won't last much longer, so if you have skiing plans nearby, I'd go sooner rather than later.

I've used a simlar setup on ski trips - megamid w/ sil-tarp as a ground sheet. Sleeping on the tarp is annoying. I never took the time to make certain the dug out snow platform was exactly level before throwing the tarp and sleeping bag down and had to readjust several times during the night as I would wake up and notice I had slipped off the tarp. But it is light, and is water proof, and isn't too bad for a night (I've only used it on overnights, dunno how I'd feel about it for a multi-day setup).

I bought a pair of ski boots at Marmot earlier this spring and returned them for a full refund a few weeks later. I was fairly sure they wouldn't fit when I bought them but wanted to wear them around the house to be certain so I made sure I knew their return policy before buying. 30 days for full refund w/ receipt, no questions asked. These were on sale (20% off or something), but not closeout. Perhaps that makes a difference.

Those are some interesting links Fairweather. I hiked through this area with my girlfriend last summer, from the Napequa up the Honeycomb, down the White River glacier to the White Chuck glacier and to Red Pass. We camped on the very top of the Honeycomb and were treated to a spectacular northern lights display. One point of the White River gets squeezed next to some rocks as it goes over a small roll; we were forced to scramble along the rocks as the glacier got too broken to follow. In doing so, we were able to look into the crevasses from the side directly into the glacier, all the way down to the bed. The bottom of the White Chuck is super interesting, the glacier gradually fades into thiner and thiner ice, tiny slits covered with debres and melt water channels. We could hear all the melt water running under our feet, then plop, stepped off into thick mud that presumably had been ice only a few weeks prior. The outwash area is made up of tons of braided channels and new lakes. It's completely baren and devoid of any life.

The Honeycomb is retreating fast too. The nunatak pictured in the Beckey guide and indicated on the quad isn't a nunatak any more. There's also a decent sized lake below the snout that isn't on the map either.

Of course everyone would rather a kick ass day in the backcountry instead of the same kick ass day at the lifts. But the lifts do serve an essential purpose - they allow you to dial your skiing in and become a much better skier. The better skier you are, the more options you have available - want to ski to a peak that requires descending a steep, narrow gully? Want to ski a more interesting line on a glacier, exposed at times to crevasses? No problem if you are a good skier. You can travel more efficiently, waste less energy, and cover more ground if you are a good skier. It makes you comfortable on steep snow and ice, and immediately improves your mountaineering skills because you are familiar with different types of snow. There's nothing like putting in a hard day (or back to back hard days) at the lifts early in the season to work your legs into shape. On those days when it's dumping head to the lifts and let someone else worry about the avalanches. Point 'em down hill and grin from ear to ear. Just the same, there are certain skills that can only be learned in the backcountry. Skiing funky snow like breakable crust. Skiing with a heavy pack. Not to mention all other skills - avi knowledge/experience, safe route finding, solid judgement..

for Kaleetan.. It's more of an early spring tour. Skied it two weekends ago and combined it with the Chair circumnavigation. One of the nicest tours near Snoqualmie Pass. Get it soon if you want to ski off the top as the gully will probably melt out quickly. Even if it does melt out, it's still a great tour. Of course there's lots of good skiing once Hwy 20 opens, birthday tour, Silver Star, ect..

Methow Central reservations has info on tons of places to stay up and down the valley, prices, availability, ect. One stop shopping: http://www.methowreservations.com/

Rodchester, how much ground clearance are we talking? SUV/truck or will a less burly subaru outback do? Thanks a bunch.

That article is a great read. Thanks for the link Lowell. It sounds like there has been a bit of work on the jump since we were there as I don't remember lights or a second rope tow for the jump. The remains of the "A" hill are still there, above the main ski area.

My brother and I checked it out a couple years ago. He jumped; I didn't. As I remember, they required you to wear a helmet and possibly sign a waver, though I'm not sure about the waver. There are at least two different size jumps, one large, one small and you were only allowed to jump off the small one (which wasn't that large). My bro didn't have any trouble on his tele gear. This tiny ski hill is quite interesting. It's strange to think the US National ski jumping championships were held there as late as 1978.

There is a chapter on Steens in The Best Ski Touring in America by Steve Barnett. It's a somewhat old book (1987) but still wonderfully relevant and entertaining. I dunno if it's out of print now or what. I remember the trip described was a traverse that exited out Keiger Gorge. I can re-read it and give more details if you are interested..

Even though I've never met Ben, he was truely an inspiration. This is very, very sad.

For Sale: La Sportiva Karakoram boots, size 43.5 (US mens 10-10.5) Excellent condition, only used a few times. They are too small for my feet. Look here for reviews Outdoor Review They have been discontinued by La Sportiva and replaced by the Eigers. As far as I can tell the boots are nearly identical, except I've been told the Eigers are less durable due to a poorly designed leather/sole interface. $125 or best offer. Send a PM or e-mail ski_photomatt AT yahoo DOT com