kevino

I've put more recent updates in the WA ice conditions thread.

Went for a morning walk... -Alpental I-IV: no or little ice. none climbable -chockstone falls: no ice -flow reversal: fatter than last week -source lake line: fatter than mercyful's picture -saw two climbers coming up from the valley. due to their very loud conversation i heard them say they want to climb both source lake line and flow reversal today. i look forward to that TR.

Maaaaaybe some stubbies...the top out was still not completely iced over, might as well TR it. Or wait for it to fatten up so the rest of the season its good to go.

Anything in particular you're looking for?

So did anyone hop on the NF? That schrund crossing looks exciting..

Surprised no one has started this yet...especially since Edlinger said this forum is for local reports only. Anyway, had a productive day out today checking out ice conditions in WA. Drove out to Strobach with Josh. The main road is drivable to 609 with some minimal ruts. Several climbs are forming up nicely. We were able to climb around at the bases but they need a little more time before they are good to go. Stopped off at Umptanum falls on our way back, able to climb some nice plastic ice on the main drip and the smaller flows. Alpental strasse and alpental pillar off of the alpental road are forming up well. these cold temps will help. I'm planning on running up t source lake thursday to check out the ice up there. Happy ice season.

Well as it turns out Craig gets pumped after placing two screws so thats all he ever needed to carry. Thanks for tip keenwesh, look forward to checking that and silken falls out on my next trip.

Trip: Hyalite - Coming Out of Retirement Date: 12/2/2011 Trip Report: Dave, Craig and I made a quick jaunt out to Hyalite this past weekend. Dave and I are both coming off a two year hiatus from ice climbing, so we all agreed to have a weekend of moderate ice climbing and beer drinking. It was a success - it felt good to get back on ice and return to Hyalite. Quick conditions report: Most of the moderate climbs near the TH are in. Thrill is gone looked real good. The harder climbs up on black magic are non-existent, while other climbs such as zack attacks and upper mummy look fat. We heard numerous horror stories of people getting stuck on the east fork road - so travel at your own risk. Now to the climbing... After arriving friday evening, Craig got on G1 and got after it Early saturday morning we got the juices flowing on lower green sleeves...Craig got the train running first Dave next.. We ran up to aptly named hangover. Saturday was bluebird (in the morning at least) Then we ran over to upper green sleeves...down low a little steeper up high then capped off the day at the amphitheater Our final morning Craig wanted to hope on elevator shaft it was fat (sorry for the camera tilt) then we finished the trip with a solo train on the fat one..which was very snow covered Approach Notes: i90 east

Source Lake Line and surrounding Rap Wall N Face of Snoqualmie Fun Pow

Skied good pow today out aboove source lake. I have some pictures of the ice forming in the valley. Will upload shortly.

Ben, You'll need a good cold snap but the climbs on FS 19 up Hwy 410 are great. Literally bumper belays and good anchors. Further up hwy 12 you have strobach mtn, which requires a bit more committment for approach. Another good beginner spot its just outside of Ellensburg. Feel free to PM me, since I lived in Ellensburg for 6 years and used to work in Yakima. Have several climbing/skiing friends still in Yakima. With all that being said, your first step should be to buy the Washington Ice Book. Great source of info and support the local guys. -Kevin

Troy, Hyalite this weekend?

yeah i'd watch out for icefall...from the 28th

Thanks Kurt. It was snowing tonight when I left for work so hopefully it'll smooth some things out.

Hey Kurt, Thanks for the info. I've been working a stretch of night shifts so I haven't been able to get out recently. When you were on your skis today did you notice any crust during your turns? Had a couple objectives tomorrow after I get off work, would you say the South or North facing slopes have been ski conditions currently?

DRep and I are going to Bozeman to climb ice (and possibly AlpineMonkey if he took friday off of work). The itinerary: -12/2: leave snoqualmie area early around 0400 and climb G1 or something close in the afternoon. then drink beer. 12/3: climb more ice. then drink beer. 12/4: climb more ice then drive. DRep has to be at work at 0700 on 12/5. We will screen applicants. Plan on climbing a bunch of WI3/4 and having a good time. Thanks.

Dave get back to work! I like all the early season hyalite TR's!

When I was up near the area on monday not much ice had grown since my last pictures. However take that with a grain of salt because everything was plastered white.

Sorry I have kind of been absent. Was in spokane fri evening through saturday. On sunday went and climbed some ice on alpental I and IV. Enough to boulder around on. Monday went and skied deep pow in the Big three area above source lake. The new snow was creating a reactive top slab layer Tuesday, ended up snowing all day, albeit very heavy. Still added up to near 19" over the past 36 hours. Hyak still skied very fun. Sometime around 8 pm last night it turned to rain and is still currently raining. Will report back how things are looking this afternooon.

I found the most reactive layer yesterday was the new snow that had fallen. Currently at 0710, it is still snowing up here at alpental.

I wonder who took those photos...

oh and as far as official report today: POWDER AND FACESHOTS AT HYAK. MAYBE SOME OF THE FACESHOTS WERE INDUCED BY THE WIND BUT IT STILL KICKED ASS

my neighbor tells me west for sure on saturday.. alpy needs more snow down low. too many bumps and bushes sticking out.

11/16/2011: OFFICIAL UPDATE SSSSSSSSNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. WILL REPORT BACK WITH MORE DETAILS SINCE I JUST WOKE UP.