Alpental Ice

[TrogdortheBurninator]

While enjoying some nice turns at alpental today I checked out some of the ice lines. Stellar falls is still pretty fragile looking, although it could probably be toproped without too much damage on the left side. Alpental falls are looking a little snowy and thin, although you could probably piece something together if so inclined. There was some better looking ice under chair two, which may be indicative of conditions at similar high elevations in the valley.

 

Photos of alpental falls

 

 

[wayne]

hey thanks for the info. Just everyone WATCH FOR THE AXALANCHES!!!!!!!!

Seems like someone jets chopped evey year dont let it be you

[Alex]

Alpental Falls is the much higher volume flow out of view to the right of the stuff you took a picture of. What you've got there is "Alpental 4"...

[rock-ice]

Thanks for the update. I''ll be up there next weekend.

 

On a side note, where is the route featured on the cover of Washington Ice? Credit says its "Flight to Mars" at Snoqualmie Pass, but its not described within. Just curious.

[Alex]

"Flight to Mars" is Sean Courage et al's name for what I called "Bryant Buttress Right". If stuff is starting to form in the lower valley, by next weekend there might be something to actually climb....somewhere in Washington...!

[TrogdortheBurninator]

I thought alpental falls was the one through the trees in the 2nd pic with the steeper finish. Maybe I misread your book before.

[Weekend_Climberz]

I'm heading up there a little farther tomorrow on snowshoe. I'll let the word out on what I see.

[Alex]

I thought alpental falls was the one through the trees in the 2nd pic with the steeper finish.

 

it might be, but to be honest i can't really tell from the pic ..

[Weekend_Climberz]

There is ice to be had in the alpental valley. I didn't take any pictures yesterday, but it has been cold enough and there are many drips that are looking pretty fat. This is December, right?

[selkirk]

So what are the likelihoods of Chair and/or Tooth NE slabs being in reasonable condition? Now that i've got tools i'm feeling compelled to try not kill myself with them.

[Weekend_Climberz]

I would say if you don't mind some powder wallowing, it will probably be in. Even with snowshoes this weekend we were still about hip deep when we walked off the beaten track.