ilookeddown Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Trip: Mt Garfield - NW Date: 5/1/2011 Trip Report: Today I skied a chute off the NW side of Mt. Garfield 374 Feet from the summit. My original plan was to ski the NW Face off the summit but it was too late in the day and the slope was spitting snow off as the day warmed. This trip should be done in March rather than May because of snow conditions and accessing the area. I haven’t skied since my friend and ski partner Monika Johnson died on February 1st this year. I was also out skiing solo just two ridges over that day. I normally didn’t have Tuesdays off so we didn’t connect. My TR from that day: TR A couple of years ago Monika and I attempted this route but the bush whacking was so bad we turned around well before we got to any snow. Timing on this one seems to be key to keep the suffering down. Too early and you will be skiing the road for miles and miles. Too late and you get what I got today. I parked my car at the Otter Falls Trail head at an elevation of 1177 ft. I put my boots on my feet and skis on my back and immediately started to bush whack my way up the south side of the Taylor River. It stays relatively flat for the first mile until you cross the second stream. It took me an hour of dealing with downed trees, boulders, slide alder and devils club to get there. I think someone needs to come up with folding skis or I am going to use snow blades mounted with Dynafits on my next attempt. Once I crossed the second creek I started up a rib through some second growth forest so the going wasn’t too bad. After a bit of talus and more slide alder I eventually hit some snow that I could skin on at about 2,200 ft. From there I made my way up to the base of my objective. It was simply too late the try and ascend the slope in the condition it was when I got there. I was bummed after all that work but decided that the chute might grant me access up there. I was able to skin about ½ the chute before booting up. Once at the top I discovered that there was no way I was making the summit today. So I topped out at 5,145ft I snapped a few shots and put my skis on and I realized I haven’t skied anything in 3 months. I got a little nervous but after the first turn I knew all was good and could open it up a bit. The chute skied great because it was shaded but the 2,500 ft below it skied mushy. I made it back to my transition spot in no time and put the skis back on my back and walked out. It took me seven hours car to car. It is a little over 5 miles round trip and just under 4k of elevation. First view of objective On the way up Chute and Face Half way up chute Looking down chute Summit from chute Looking toward Snoqualmie from chute Chute after skied Transition point on the way down Approximate route. I don’t have a GPS but its close Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jshamster Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 nice Dave! good to hear your back on the skis. cheers jimbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlpineK Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Yep, that's an interesting line to ski. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obwan Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Awesome trip report and great photos - shows me what snow still exist up there. I'm not a skier - so the adventure was incredible, thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaucho Argentino Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Sweet line, Buddy, and nice pics, thanks for posting... And although I did not know Monika, I'm pretty sure she's somewhere happy that you were out there making these turns ... Cheers, GA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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