Paradise to Muir, October 27th?

[TomXplorations]

Hi, I was recommended to this site from backpacker.com. I am coming in from the north east for a few days for a business conference, and wanted to take the paradise route up to Muir and camp out overnight on the 26th to 27th. I am a very experienced hiker, and moderate climber. Obviously I would have to rent Crampons and snowshoes from Whittaker, but would there be any other reasons I wouldnt take that route in october? I have good cold weather gear. Also if anyone wants to come with, id be happy to give them a lift from the seattle area.

Edited October 17, 2007 by TomXplorations

[lizard_brain]

Any time of year is good for Muir, as long as the weather is good. But I'd recommend it just as a day trip rather than an overnight. (The earlier you start, the better.)

[Fromage]

Take wands and be prepared to spend the night on the snowfield if the weather deteriorates.

[lizard_brain]

Take wands and be prepared to spend the night on the snowfield if the weather deteriorates.

 

...Which it can fast this time of year. One time in November I spent hours in near-zero visibility going back to Paradise from Muir with just a compass bearing. Made it okay, but it was just unnerving not being able to see at all, and spending hours getting down what on a good day would be about an 80-minute run.

[TomXplorations]

Thanks for all the replies, I guess its basically a 50/50 shot, ive been doing some research and saw pictures of people skiing on the Muir Snowfield in october in perfectly clear weather. Im going to kick it back to a day trip, and bring my snowboard to get back down to the bottom. I have a compass, and gps, so navigationally speaking I should be ok, as long as i bring a topo map and the "get your bearings" map with me.

 

Im ditching the crampons, since there will probably be too much snow on the ground to have them useful, ill keep my axe with just to help with self arresting in the event of a fall.

 

 

[Serenity]

I would say weather is your best predictor of having a successful ski trip. I would error on the side of good to very clear weather, and be prepared for less than ideal ski conditions. Sometimes the snowfield turns into a trap crust/sastrugi field, or gets so windblown it's an ice field. Also be aware of the prevailing tendencies for people to follow the fall lines and end up on glaciers to either side of the main snowfield. Also be aware that the snowfield while relatively crevasse free does produce some small slots near the Muir hut.

 

Have fun!

[lizard_brain]

I've been up there 31 times, and the only month I haven't been up there is December. I used to bring crampons and snowshoes all the time during fall/winter trips, but stopped bringing the crampons because I never have used them, and if I did need them, the snowshoes would work.

[TomXplorations]

Want to make it 32 times? Dinner and Drinks are my treat when we get back down the same day. Same goes even if the weather doesnt hold up.

[Bug]

I would do that on the 27th.

 

I've been up there about a dozen times.

 

[TomXplorations]

Actually it is the 27th since im only doing a day hike now.

[sirwoofalot]

Want to make it 32 times? Dinner and Drinks are my treat when we get back down the same day. Same goes even if the weather doesnt hold up.

Sounds like fun. I need to get a hall pass from the wife, but if get it I will be there, but I am going to have to pass on the dinner and drinks.

[TomXplorations]

Cool, im going to do it on saturday the 27th now ( i guess I should change the thread title)

 

if you are able to go , send me a pm and i will give you my info.

 

ill leave the snowboard at home if im going to have company on the mountain.

 

Tom

Edited October 17, 2007 by TomXplorations

[Bug]

Sat Nov 17th? or Oct 27th?

[Bug]

The 27th works for me. You actually have the 17th in your post.

I will have my skiis.

Anyway, give me a call and we can arrange.

 

[TomXplorations]

October 27th i meant, i changed my original post. I need to learn how to read, lol.

 

Ill give you a call per our pm.

Edited October 17, 2007 by TomXplorations

[Serenity]

I'll probably be up there about that time working on my postholing, survival skiing technique.

[Bug]

Bring your compass.

[Bug]

So far, the roads are open 24/7 but we have a big system heading our way. I will want to go if we can get into Paradise early, say 7AM at the latest. If we can't get past the gate at Longmire until 9AM it is not worth the 2.5 hour drive each way.

[TomXplorations]

Whenever you want to get in is fine with me. I am from the east coast, so I will probably be up and moving by about 3am pst.

 

When is the best time to give you a call (in your time zone)

 

Tom

[Bug]

Anytime befor 10PM or after 8AM

[Couloir]

Hey girls. These last several posts are PM material, not "beta". Move along.

[Bug]

To anyone who is interested, we are meeting at Whitticker's at 6AM Sat. The more the merrier. PM me if you want a ride from Redmond or nearby.

Bug

[TomXplorations]

Yeah the overall weather at Rainier is supposed to be pretty good, Mostly Sunny, Freezing level at 8000 feet. All subject to change for sure, but looks like it will be a good time.

 

Hope to see some others out there.

 

Tom

[EV]

Is the gate still open 24/7 from Longmire to Paradise? I'm heading up Saturday, would appreciate knowing. No sense in showing up at 6:00 if the gate doesn't open until 9-10.

 

Thanks.

[TomXplorations]

Last time I checked it was still open, ill call the rangers station at paradise today.

 

Tom