[TR] Silver Star - that one route 5/11/2008

[Hendershot]

Trip: Silver Star - that one route

 

Date: 5/11/2008

 

Trip Report:

Since I had to be back in Seattle by 8 pm, we left scenic Lynnwood at 4 am for the 3 hour drive up to Silver Star Creek, 7.5 miles past the Early Winter Spires. Rainer Bergendorf's book lists this as an overnighter with 8 miles in and 10 hours to complete.

Following the route of a couple telemarkers that we caught up with on their way down. They went up the middle gully and descended the right one (skier's left). We ran into a soloist who was taking a break before we starting up the middle gully. Looking down it.

Four hours into it, we stopped 1300 feet below the summit, not wanting to ski down ice up higher. From the point of our descent, the snow varied from iced over corn to patches of powder until the timberline where it was "cascade concrete". The line is behind me in this photo.

As expected, skiing the trail back to the parking lot proved to be exciting as we avoided trees (sometimes) or falling into Silver Star creek.

 

 

Gear Notes:

Ski crampons, ax. Brought harnesses & rope (not used). Shovel/ probe/ beacon are always mandatory.

 

 

Approach Notes:

skinned all the way up from the road cut out. The general store in Newhalem is closed, horrible coffee in Marblemount & Darrington.