Skiing Glaciers?

[cracked]

I read a lot of TRs of people skiing routes like the Emmons on Rainier, Coleman-Deming on Baker, or Sitkum Glacier on Glacier Peak. Is this justifiable? When I did the Sitkum it was late season (August?) and there were many crevasses. The moat next to the cleaver was scary. My partner's leg punched through a snowbridge on the upper glacier. Other than probing, it would have been impossible to detect. On the Easton of Baker there were also plenty of crevasses. Personally, I would be reluctant to go up any of the big volcanoes without a rope. What do you think?

[Jason_Martin]

This is a very controversial subject. Rather than tell you my own opinions, here is a link to an excellent article on the subject written by a world class ski mountianeering guide:

 

Skiing Glaciers

 

Hope this helps,

 

Jason

[snoboy]

Lots of good thoughts on skiing with a rope system here at telemarktips.com .

[AlpineK]

Ah yes, It's a sure sign of spring when we have this discussion. If you do a search, you'll find a few threads on this subject on cc.com.

 

I ski unroped on glaciers all the time. I'm sure I would rope up if the conditions were total sketch; however just try skiing roped up once and you'll learn how hard and unfun it is.

 

It really really helps to have a lot of glacier travel experience. If you don't you should rope up a lot more often.

[iain]

just point 'em down and you'll hop over most of the baddies.

[b-rock]

and watch some TGR flicks to psych you up.