AlpineK

Trip: Muir Snowfield - Muir to Nisqually Chutes Date: 1/25/2015 Trip Report: Skiing has been on the sparse side this winter. After deciding we had to ski something Cman and I headed for Paradise and Muir since it seemed like a sure bet. After seeing a lineup of cars and fans going to SeaTac to wish the Seahawks a Bon Voyage we did have second thought about our objective but those faded. We got a slacker 10 AM start from Paradise and joined the herd of skiers. Sunshine didn't suck, but there were some winds up high. After a brief rest at Muir we were downward bound. The upper field was the best with a thin breakable crust, but the crust thickened with elevation loss. [img:center]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eb894QXT5kw/VMqyghPmcPI/AAAAAAAAFSo/I-LWfcmU6Uc/s1152/1-WEB-DSC02033.jpg[/img] Cman at the top of the Chutes [img:center]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xBk08L4bkz4/VMqykT3jyxI/AAAAAAAAFS4/3x6cxexz2-4/s1152/4-WEB-DSC02036.jpg[/img] Der Chutes [img:center]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z_QNONHVUJc/VMqyfuVjH2I/AAAAAAAAFSg/3l8b9jKQx_0/s1024/10924620_10204042678683361_7465168281814209453_C.jpg[/img] The best snow in the Chutes that day was on skiers left. [img:center]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f-9m115IUBg/VMqyjwYhOZI/AAAAAAAAFSw/L9WvC8EA_WE/s1152/6-WEB-DSC02038.jpg[/img] Looking back Nice Spring conditions in January Gear Notes: Sliding on snow is fun

Only problem is HWY-20 is a State Highway and not part of the park. My dad used to approach climbs at the pass via Cedar Creek before the highway was there.

Off hand a 20 mile dirt road that isn't listed on brochures (Cascade River Road) sees a lot less traffic than a paved and publicized road (Paradise Road). The park service used to keep the Paradise road open if snow wasn't in the forecast not too long ago.

If I were to hazard a guess, the park service can only keep the road open when there's staff on hand to monitor the road and respond to problems/accidents. They may not have the budget for overtime hours or an extra shift. Just my guess. The consequences of decisions like that aren't what people who get up early and stay till after dark like or want.

Getting to the south side of St Helens shouldn't be a problem at any time of year since it is maintained for a Snow Park. The south side of Adams road is closed now but may be open by March given the current snowpack. You want road 8040 to Cold Springs campground. Here's a link that is periodically updated. It gives the current road status and how to contact the local FS Office http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices/?aid=26609

Wern't you the guy trying to sell these, "delux," backcountry skis? [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/500/medium/WP_20131019_002.jpg[/img]

I'd be happier if Chihuly took his museum back to Tacoma

Spokane does have a bigger Dicks sign than Seattle does [img:center]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4252469877_75d5793e94.jpg[/img] [img:center]http://www.outlawmagazine.tv/content/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG-20120702-01197.jpg[/img]

Based on Fairweather's photo it seems like the only skiing he's ever done at Snoqualmie is lift skiing at Ski Acres. Crystal is a better ski area, but when it comes to backcountry decent wintertime options are limited to Paradise for the most part. Not a bad spot but you have to play by park service rules and bad visibility on the upper mountain takes away some of the best skiing. Yes I have done a bit of backcountry out of Crystal, but you can get to better lines faster at Snoqualmie, and backcountry out of Stevens is a lot closer.

Depends on what you mean when you say the words "climbing" and "skiing." Don't make it into the backcountry much based on the photo

In 30 years the area from Vancouver BC to Olympia WA will be one giant City.

Please explain how skills required for a winter ascent of Denali are the equivalent of skills required to climb El Cap Tommy and Kevin probably aren't setting Denali in winter as a goal.

Tacoma was way better back when Nalley Valley really was Nalley Valley. [img:center]http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kplu/files/201107/Nalley1949.jpg[/img]

Fixed one minor error, otherwise

Based on the number of tvashtarkatena posts in the final hours of the drama CC has a home grown bizarre media circus. Quite a climb for sure, but...

Just like any big climbs First comes the siege tactics Next comes oxygenless and or one push Finally the climb becomes a timed event Kind of Darwinian in nature

The AAC Grand Teton Climbers Ranch is a good place to go and find climbing partners. Both times I showed by myself finding partners wasn't too hard.

[img:center]http://www.fugly.com/media/IMAGES/Random/cat-boring-face.jpg[/img]

[img:center]http://happyminutes.blog.com/files/2011/05/boring-day.jpg[/img]

My gun of choice is a bb gun and my preferred targets are used aluminum soda/beer cans. Real guns make too much noise. Guess I'll be an easy target when the Armageddon comes

Not necessarily. Regimented in a different way is a better way to put it. All organizations have set policies or their own approach to doing things. Both organizations could help you learn climbing and may be a benefit for the short or long term but that's up to you to figure out. Learning on your own is possible as long as you spend time reading texts that others have mentioned and have a good sense of your ability levels. Basically don't expect to climb everything that looks cool in one season.

Let's all be thankful. This country could be in worse hands [img:center]http://www.freewoodpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/20131121-143236.jpg[/img]

Old St Elias sled, or new coffee table [img:center]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eDt8x6EwWBA/UrdGL9zGAlI/AAAAAAAAEOw/nETikTn8o4U/w1314-h985-no/20131222_120437.jpg[/img]

Fairweather's shining light or pathway to hell. [img:center]http://media.indiatimes.in/media/content/2013/Apr/gate_to_hell_main_article_french_tribune_1364968733_540x540.jpg[/img]

[img:center]https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/njIClxtOZ3pB9t-TQoEt7tgjg0sUcE_UuS0D9ckn6bzDdSdhMHlnIpWb6JThCd07MUuC07d9vEIWRqil-xmV1gYvCOFC1rsWtrzv_MxNNFiHYQ=s0-d-e1-ft#https://action.dccc.org/page/-/POTUSStats_Email_20141124.png[/img]