Ptarmigan Traverse conditions?

[Girevi]

Has anyone done the Ptarmigan Traverse this year?

I am planning to do it ten days from now, without skis.

Would be grateful for any beta/condition report.

 

[dave56]

Our party of three is set to do the PT starting July 23. The

only info we have found so far is here

 

http://forestmcbrian.com/?p=361

 

I think they did this a couple weeks ago on skis. I plan

a recon trip up to Cascade Pass, Sahale Arm and Mixup Arm

in a week or so.

[Girevi]

Thanks much Dave56! No shortage of snow there.....

The shot of what must be the Mix-up traverse certainly looks mighty steep.

If you return from your recce before 13 July, I'd be extremely keen to hear from you.

 

[banos]

Dave 56... You kinda sound like a... mathematician.. with a high beer IQ...

 

 

 

Edited July 5, 2011 by banos

[Eben]

lots of snow as of july 4, definately bring skis! more details: http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1024909/TR_ptarmigan_traverse_ski_7_4_#Post1024909

[Girevi]

Thanks much Eben!

[banos]

Any new beta out there, besides lotsa snow..?

 

thanks

[lunger]

You've prob already seen a second report here:

http://forestmcbrian.com/?p=391

 

And I returned yesterday from the traverse and it is still lots of snow, much of it yet in the process of consolidating--more like May conditions. Good skiing.

[banos]

Thanks Lunger... Have the week of the 23-> slated for the PT.. just a little anxious about what we'll find for conditions.. unfortunately skiing it is not an option..

[banos]

Anyone head up to Cascade Pass this weekend? Anyone try the trav under Mix Up? Any one give the Ptarmigan a go sans skis?

 

thanks

 

-- btw Lunger... some awesome pics you posted on the climbers board pic contest..

[banos]

You have a PM

[Wastral]

Don't forget that Suittle River Road is blocked at MP 12. That is a tidy extra 10 miles of road walking. Might be better off to hit Dome peak then backtrack down the S. Cascade River. The trail is still there though hard to find. Follow the orange flags. The upper section is nearly completely gone though. Only very small traces can be found on upper. Lower goes from decent to brush covered.

 

Or go in from Chelan side and go out via gunsight and Hanging gardens.

Edited July 23, 2011 by Wastral

[JasonG]

Have you hiked out the S. Cascade post burn? I nosed up that way last year and it was grim. Didn't seem like a very viable alternative.....

[Wastral]

Yes. Couple of times. Going in took 12 hours for 14 miles. Out took a mere 3.5 hours. Ain't gravity nice? Worst part is the burn part for the first 1.5 miles and the avalanche slide area right where the trail goes UP at the head of the valley. Otherwise its simply follow your nose up valley. The upper valley section is for the most part still there. As I said before, the upper upper section is nearly nonexistent, but its not exactly hard walking through open forest and following gravity downward.

 

It is smart to follow the orange flagging though.

[JasonG]

Interesting, thanks for the info...I never made it through the burn. Still sounds like a much better way to come out than go in!