danhelmstadter Posted February 23, 2010 Posted February 23, 2010 Trip: Mt. Rainier - Gib Ledges climb, Fuhrer Thumb ski Date: 2/22/2010 Trip Report: I left Paradise around 2:30, and made my way up to Pan Point through a myriad of tracks under dark skys. Once atop Pan Point, the winds picked up considerably, and I donned googles and an extra jacket, temps were pretty cold. Not being familiar with the Muir route, I question whether I took the most direct line to the huts. I made the huts before light, and went inside for an hour or so to snack and heat my water for an expected but not to be - bitterly cold upper mountain. I felt groggy climbing up to and past "the behive", but I was quickly invigorated by the coolness and fun of the Gib Ledges, which was in excellant shape and I was far from the first to have recently climbed it. I witnessed an impressive serac fall calving off the Nisqually Ice Cliff. Temps were warming rapidly... Once past the tricky crevasse section just past Gib Rock, I made good time in relitively warm temps and only a breeze blowing from the NE... The summit felt pretty warm too, although this was because of the sun not the air temprature. The skiiing was pretty crappy down the summit cone (really wind affected and icy) but conditions improved dramatically once I gained the upper Nisqually. The entrance into the Wopawety area is a little trickier than last year, I took the high entrance and found some steeps on the cleaver. Then some bumpy but powdery snow, a crevasse jump led to ripper winboard. As I gained the entrance to the Thumb the windboard began to soften in the sun, and I knew it was going to be an epic run. I should have brought my helmut cam, absolutely ripper conditions, and I skiied to the bottom without stopping. The skiing down the Wilson and upper Nisqually was fantastic, although there was plenty of variable according to micro terrain features and aspect changes. Quote
bgratias Posted February 23, 2010 Posted February 23, 2010 Nice, but where was Sadie on this one? Quote
Pilchuck71 Posted February 23, 2010 Posted February 23, 2010 I am petitoning to have the moderators change your user name to DAN THE MAN! another nice one! Quote
wdietsch Posted February 23, 2010 Posted February 23, 2010 sweet!! way to go get it ... nice pictures Quote
Stefan Posted February 24, 2010 Posted February 24, 2010 many years ago I had to face in downclimb that steep section. and you skied it. Quote
medicsandy Posted February 24, 2010 Posted February 24, 2010 Wow....awesome! I'm training for my very first climb of Rainier in the summer, and worried about being strong enough. You just kind of hiked right up there and skied down. You're my new hero! Thanks for the great pictures. Do it again and take video! Quote
zeroforhire Posted February 28, 2010 Posted February 28, 2010 I had a heck of a time climbing it last year, and you cruised it no problem. way to go. Quote
burglar Posted March 4, 2010 Posted March 4, 2010 Looks amazing Dan. Way to get it done in one go! I'm headed up there this weekend for a finger ski trip, but not having done it before, is the entrance from the top particularly hard to find? I may just climb up and down the finger so I have a better idea of features, but any tips would be great. Quote
trumpetsailor Posted March 5, 2010 Posted March 5, 2010 Once you're in the right drainage off the upper mountain, it is easy to find, especially with good visibility and bootprints. Rocks can, and do, ski the Finger unimpeded. Too far skiers left, and you'll be in the icefall. Too far right, and you'll be on the steeper Wilson Headwall or perhaps in the Thumb. Weather might be mean up high this weekend. Quote
burglar Posted March 5, 2010 Posted March 5, 2010 Thanks for the help. Yeah, Sunday looks like it could start to get rough, but hoping Saturday stays nice. If nothing more, it'll be good to get up on the mountain. Quote
trumpetsailor Posted March 5, 2010 Posted March 5, 2010 Have a fun and safe trip! The forecasted winds at the summit seem lower than I was expecting. Saturday sounds mighty fine! Quote
danhelmstadter Posted March 6, 2010 Author Posted March 6, 2010 be careful of thinly bridged cracks as you exit the upper finger area and gain the upper nisqually. looks like a great window, unfortunatly i'm unable to get out and enjoy it. have fun! Quote
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