AlpineK Posted May 20, 2014 Posted May 20, 2014 (edited) Trip: Washington Pass - Kangaroo to Silverstar, Mazama, Rainy Pass Date: 5/16/2014 Trip Report: A forecast warm spell and accompanying avalanche risk wasn't a great precursor for Ski In, but temperatures were forecast to drop on Friday the 16th. Based on this and a lack of a firm partner commitment it seemed like a Friday solo ski traverse was in order. In a worst case scenario it meant spending time moping around at Washington Pass on Friday. That didn't sound too bad. Prior to leaving Ethan sent me a PM and ask my plans. I told him my plan was to camp at Washington Pass then get up early on Friday morning and ski. Since we were both driving from opposite sides of the state it seemed unlikely we would meet up. 5-16-2014 Friday morning started at 3:30 when my alarm went off. I drove to the hairpin in HWY 20 east of Washington Pass and ate some food. While sitting there another vehicle pulled up and a guy got out of the vehicle. Eventually the guy walked up to the car and said, "Are you Kurt?" After a yep response it turned out the guy was Ethan. He was ready to ski. Telling him my plan to ski from Kangaroo Ridge to Silverstar didn't seem to bother him. Since he was driving his own vehicle we decided to drop one off at Silverstar Creek. Eliminating a forced hitch hike at the end of the day didn't sound like a bad idea in my book. Once back at the hairpin we skied to a notch in Kangaroo Ridge used in a previous Ski In ski traverse to Willow Creek. The sun was coming out as we approached the ridge notch Early Winters, Liberty Bell, and Washington Pass [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/1-W-DSC01176.jpg[/img] At the notch we could see out path ahead Snagtooth Ridge and Silverstar from Kangaroo Ridge [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/5-W-DSC01180.jpg[/img] After an all to short ski to the next ridgeline we started climbing again Looking back at Kangaroo skiing [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/6-W-DSC01181.jpg[/img] The next climb covered some distance but not much of an elevation gain Snagtooth Ridge Traverse [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/10-W-DSC01185.jpg[/img] The ridgeline provides great views into the headwaters of Cedar Creek, Mt. Gardner, and snagged teeth Silverstar and the teeth [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/13-W-DSC01188.jpg[/img] Eventually we reached a high point in the ridge and started a second descent and traverse View of the traverse from Kangaroo Ridge [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/15-W-DSC01190.jpg[/img] Rock tower on Snagtooth Ridge [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/18-19_W_Panorama1-copy.jpg[/img] After skiing and traversing we found ourselves at the last climb to Silverstar Col. The climb was mostly on skis, but we did find a section of third class rock to scramble. Looking back at Snagtooth Ridge from Silverstar Col [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/25-W-DSC01200.jpg[/img] From that point on we were both back to an area we'd both traveled before. While the temperatures were cooler snow was on the chunky side with avalanche debris to avoid [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/29-W-DSC01204.jpg[/img] [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/30-W-DSC01205.jpg[/img] [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/31-W-DSC01206.jpg[/img] With about 1500 feet of vertical left to descend to the highway the continuous snow pack ran out, so we put skis on our pack and walked down to the car. We were both happy to change footwear and not hitch back to the hairpin turn. We made it to the Ski In Campsite prior to any other arrivals. After the sun went down and the campfire got going more folks showed up. 5-17-2014 In the morning sitting in a lawn chair by the river sounded good to me. After talk about likely snow conditions for the day we decided Saturday was a cragging day. One of the other group members told me about the portable hammock in her pack and told me I could use it at the crag. That sounded fine by me. Since one group member didn't have a ton of experience with multipitch climbing we drove to Fun Rock. I didn't have a problem since the approach to the crag was short. After spending time on some of the standard Fun Rock climbs we found information about the latest area crag development at, "A Wall." Routes at the crag range from mid-fifth class to 5.11. Some easier routes on A Wall [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/2-W-DSC01210.jpg[/img] Eventually we drove back to the campsite for campfire and bbq time. 5-18-2014 On Sunday talk of skiing from Rainy Pass to Cutthroat Lake sounded like the best group plan. Of course none of us had skied that route and we were lacking maps for that area, but we decided to wing it and figure it out on the tour. Leaving Rainy Pass [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/1-W-DSC01211.jpg[/img] Ascent to the west of Whistler Peak [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/2-W-DSC01212.jpg[/img] After some talk we figured heading towards the left ridge line was the best move. After an ascent we reached the ridgeline and started a new debate. The best I could come up with was, "I think we go that way, but I'm not sure what the terrain is like once you cross the ridge we can see." Eventually we chose to ski back to Rainy Pass and not risk the unknown. View of the area south of Rainy Pass from the ridgeline [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/4-5_W_Panorama1.jpg[/img] Highpoint [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/9-W-DSC01219.jpg[/img] Snow was in good condition and the ski back to Rainy Pass was fun [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/11-W-DSC01221.jpg[/img] [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/medium/13-W-DSC01223.jpg[/img] At the car we all drove to pick up the car at the Cutthroat trailhead. When we reached the trailhead two skiers had just arrived. It turns out they had just completed the traverse we had planned to do, but this was their third attempt. They said there were huge avalanche debris piles near Cutthroat Lake that were annoying to ski through. We were happy to hear that and gave one of the two skiers a ride back to retrieve his car at Rainy Pass. All and all a good time was had by all Approach Notes: If you want to ski Silverstar via Silverstar Creek expect a combination of trail walking and postholing for the first 1500-ft of verticle gain. Edited May 21, 2014 by Feck Quote
JasonG Posted May 21, 2014 Posted May 21, 2014 I need to make the ski-in one of these years, sounds fun! Quote
Woodcutter Posted May 21, 2014 Posted May 21, 2014 That kangaroo tour has been languishing on my list for some time. Seems like a great tour. Thanks for the report. Quote
AlpineK Posted May 23, 2014 Author Posted May 23, 2014 One of the guys that did complete the traverse from Rainy Pass to Cutthroat Lake sent me a picture of the avalanche debris we missed out on near Cutthroat Lake. [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3067/Cutthroat-Pass_2.jpg[/img] Quote
ivan Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 made the ski-in years ago and dug it thoroughly - wish you bitzes weren't so far North Quote
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