mattp Posted December 30, 2002 Posted December 30, 2002 The avalanche center reports that "2 to 5 feet of snowfall accumulated at Hurricane Ridge and at sites near the Cascade crest last week." More is on the way, and freezing levels are rising and expected to rise to 5,000 feet Wednesday before starting to fall again while it keeps snowing. This means there should be lots of deep snow, maybe a layer of crust somewhere, and very little ice or rock pro available. This is probably not the best time to go looking for technical climbing in the Snoqualmie Alps.
Cpt.Caveman Posted December 30, 2002 Posted December 30, 2002 Bomber ice and *trees*. Not like we got that much pro ourselves...... You'll never really know the conditions from the couch unless someone tells you.
fleblebleb Posted December 30, 2002 Posted December 30, 2002 The approach definitely isn't getting any better...
Cpt.Caveman Posted December 30, 2002 Posted December 30, 2002 Duh. Only better if snow stops falling and someone plows the trail for you. Where's Jay at
Lambone Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 Man if I ever see someone toproping a snowbank...fuck I don't know what I'd do, probly shit myself in laughter... Â At least Scott had enough sense o recognize the route was over his head. I commend that.
eric8 Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 yeah, better to back off then get in over your head. Â If you read the caption for the photo on the lower right portion of the page you will realize that scott is one serious aid climber.
Cpt.Caveman Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 If chair looked that fat when we were there we could have soloed it Â
highclimb Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 does anyone have current conditions? Â thanks Aidan
Skisports Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 Go climb it then you will find the current condition. I am guessing not that bad but not that much snow on the route Dave
mattp Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 It is pretty shady over there on the N. Face. It might actually be OK though I bet the ski run down from the base of the face is sub-optimal.
Alasdair Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 I am heading up there after work tonight. I will have beta tomorrow. If there is enough light I will take a pic.
Cpt.Caveman Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 I bet it's ok. Maybe some of us should chip in for a webcam to be installed every winter until we know it's in
COL._Von_Spanker Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 What about a CC satelite that we just plug the GPS coordinates into and we can get detailed data.
cracked Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 Yeah, that would be great, but I already donated $10 to this site. I'm too poor (everybody is, it's an economic principle).
Cpt.Caveman Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 No shit eh. Hey Pot'teryx just so you know those weren't schrunds that's what happens when an avalanche happens. It' leaves an avalanche wall........
Alasdair Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 I was up there last night. There was not a lot of light due to the proximity to the new moon, but from what I saw the north face was very white. It is quite likely that the snow on the face is hard and icy due to the rain and subsequent freeze in the area. THe approach is a highway. Leave your snowshoes and skis at home, unless it gets warm again. Like it appears to be doing today.
minx Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 It's crusty, icy and nasty as of this morning. Hopefully it will get warm enough today to soften things up. Not worth it imho. Still a fair bit of snow.
COL._Von_Spanker Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 Icy huh? I was under the impression that was a good thing for alpine routes.
minx Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 it's all a matter of opinion. perhaps i shouldn't have been so glib in my description. I should've stopped at crusty. soooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrry. If you want a detailed report you'll have to wait until i'm in the mood to type that much. I was just giving my general impressions. shoot!
COL._Von_Spanker Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 I guess it's all a matter of perspective. Good/safe climbing coditions arent really the best for ski/boarding so icy/crusty can be good or bad. Â Crust over a bunch of soft snow could be problematic for a number of reasons, cause it might not be good for climbing or skiing. Â Did you get up on the route at all? Â Thanks for the info.
minx Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 Col. S. pardon my hostility. I wasn't planning on writing a trip report for a trip that never panned out. Figured i'd toss out some observations based on my recent presence in the area. Â We were a little slow in getting up and out the door this morning (too much ) so we didn't get up the route very far. I had to get back down the house (damn work!) Made it more of an exploratory trip in prep for an attempt tomorrow. What we did see was crusty stuff on top of softer snow. I wouldn't say the conditions are ideal for climbing or skiing. Just my opinion. I definitely wouldn't want to ski the crud and climbing it isn't ideal but i'll do it.
COL._Von_Spanker Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 My favorite is snowboarding in crust where the board goes underneath and the crust plows yer shins.
freeclimb9 Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 I am heading up there after work tonight. I will have beta tomorrow. I was up there last night. There was not a lot of light due to the proximity to the new moon, but from what I saw the north face was very white. What color is best?
minx Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 crust sucks (then again i think snowboarding suck ) Â Â
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