jlag Posted April 19, 2004 Posted April 19, 2004 Climb: N. Sister-Thayer/SE arm Date of Climb: 4/20/2004 Trip Report: Parked 1 mile from Pole Creek TH, hiked in and approached Thayer glacier. 3+ hours from car to base of N. Sister. Firm snow changed to powder at about 7000 feet. Started up the THayer face and ran into wind loaded slope and whiteout conditions. Bailed left onto the SE ridge. The powder was never deep enough to hinder progress, actually good step-kicking. Started up the ridge and the white-out came full-on. Attempted to wait it out but the fungi started to kick in a bit stronger than anticipated. Strapped on the board and rode the same slope down. Yes, avi conditions weren't great but not super dangerous. Great powder turns all the way down through Soap Creek drainage. Powder turned to corn and I rode flat trees(snow was still very fast) all the way to the Green Lakes/Chamber Lks junction. Great day, never saw another person until I got back to Sisters. All of the routes looked in, hard to judge with all the new powder. Last week I saw a small berg forming on the far left of THayer face, it was completely filled in yesterday. Put in a great tractor trailer skin track(split board) for all you skiers. Wide enough to drive a car on. Great day, awesome powder turns in april! Gear Notes: split board ice axe fungi Approach Notes: I parked right before mile marker 10 cuz I drive a Subaru. Wood-cutters are driving all over the place putting in deep tracks. I'd say any 4x4 can make it to the trailhead pretty easily. There's like two deep spots right before the 10 mile marker and then it's mellow after that. There were tracks all the way to the TH, I just didn't want get stuck, again. The beginning of the trail is patchy, but it turns to all snow by the Wilderness boundary. I hiked in(very fast firm snow) and skinned out. About 6+ hours round trip. I hope this helps anyone out, I'm not much of a trip reporter but I like to share any knowledge that will help y'all get up there. Quote
gapertimmy Posted April 19, 2004 Posted April 19, 2004 sweet jlag! i was about to drive up to pole creek TH sunday night just in case! Quote
skyclimb Posted April 19, 2004 Posted April 19, 2004 Thanks for the beta J. SOund like one hellova Trip! Quote
jlag Posted April 19, 2004 Author Posted April 19, 2004 The program for writing a TR automatically put in 4/20/04 and wouldn't let me change it. I went in on sunday the 18th of April. Something tells me it's the website boys playing a little 4/20 trick on us. Quote
Ursa_Eagle Posted April 19, 2004 Posted April 19, 2004 I was kinda wondering if was involved... Quote
Fejas Posted April 21, 2004 Posted April 21, 2004 Kickin a little strong eh? well, that what they are supose to do... rippin down snow fryin balls is good time! Quote
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