TR: Postcards from the American Alps- Sahalie Glacier (WA) 8600 Feet

6.24.2006
Squirrel99, Zbo, Mofro261

Destination: Sahale Glacier, North Cascades National Park - WAaaaaarshington
Base elevation- 3600 feet
Top elevation- 8600 feet (not a 14'er, but it can hold it's own ;) )
total vert climbed 7000 feet+
total skied 6000
total # of alders & devils club crushed, mutilated, and destroyed- 3,426


With a blistering heat wave hitting the Pacific Northwest, most people went to the beach.
we went to the mountains.

Knowing that a blue bird sky would potentially flood the typical Adams, Rainier & Baker routes this weekend-
a journey off the beaten path to North Cascades National Park was in order.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7972.jpg

American Alps.
Not convinced?
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7657.jpg

After 23 miles of off road driving, it was time to start the “stair master.” Our route would take us
up the Cascade Pass trail- about 4 miles and 2,000 vertical feet to…what else…but Cascade Pass!
The Pass summit to the top of Sahalie would be another 3,000.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7670.jpg

Some route pics here. Red line indicates our ascent; green line is the descent

From the Pass (5700 feet), we turn north and ascend the main ridge to Sahalie (8600 feet)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...ieRoute1-1.jpg

Dropping off the top of Sahalie (pitch was steeper than we anticipated- about 45 degrees)
we descended SE toward Doubtful Lake
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...ieRoute2-1.jpg

Upon reaching the lake, we toured from the east and skinned back up to point 6300
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...TourReturn.jpg

After a short 800 foot descent back to Cascade Pass, we hiked up another 500 feet
so we could catch this tasty couloir
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...eCarreturn.jpg

From Cascade Pass, we had a our work cut out for us on the next part of the ascent. Zbo laying boot
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7704.jpg

With picture perfect blue, white, and green colors on display- and only a handful of hikers, it was bliss.

Looking up toward our objective
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7710.jpg

Mofro261 scouting lines for our descent. A little route finding was necessary as
only two or three shots went through to the lake
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7713.jpg

Majestic surroundings combined with near perfect weather make for inspiring day
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7723.jpg

Looking out towards Forbidden Peak
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7724.jpg

Pre-summit LAME group shot
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7752.jpg

Forgot to mention the additional 1500 vert awaiting
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7760.jpg

From the summit- we had amazing views of the entire Cascades: Rainier & Glacier Peak to the South,
Baker & Shuksan to the West and all points between. Here Mount Baker makes a surprise appearance
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7763.jpg

I’ll have to admit- when I left the Wasatch behind three years ago for the Cascades, I really didn’t know what to expect.
Although access is not quite as easy, the Washington Cascades truly are unique-
and probably the most vertically inclined, rowdiest mountain chain in the lower 48.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7740.jpg

Panoramic View from the Summit [click picture for quick video]
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...h_2188dcd5.jpg

But we didn’t come here to hike- we came to ski.

We discussed a few concerns before the descent. It was steeper than we had anticipated.
Starting out more than 40 degrees and then rolling over another 5-10. Add a few crevasse hazards,
rock piles, and wet snow- caution was essential. A few ski cuts were made- and they did as expected.
Releasing about 8”-12” and running for 500 feet- they crashed into the rock piles below.
For safety, we decided to ski in and next to the sluff-a-lanche paths.

Mofro261 dropping [still photo version]
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7774.jpg

Watch Zeedashbo kill it in his wife beater- click the pic for short video
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...h_6888a4cd.jpg

Squirrel99 with Johannesburg in the background
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7825.jpg

Zeedash - framed
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7817.jpg

Squirrel99 Cornucopia
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7801.jpg

Traversing to our next section
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7793.jpg

Mofro261
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7852.jpg

Squirrel99
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7831.jpg

Mofro261 having fun with hard slush
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7884.jpg

On deck
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7887.jpg

Zbo live once again [click picture for quick video]
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...h_298279d0.jpg

Squirrel participating in some "long-berg" jumping
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...IMG_7870-2.jpg

Doubtful Lake with Magic Mountain holding court
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7891.jpg

Looking back at our line- from peak to ridge to the far looker’s right couloir
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7898.jpg

Lamenting the hot sun, we pushed onward with 1,000 feet of mixed skinning and climbing ahead.
A quick break gives us another 800 feet to add to our descent back toward Cascade Pass-
where another 500 feet of climbing awaited.

But it got us to hear. For our Grand Finale
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7928.jpg

Mofro261 – “I can see the car from here!”
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...IMG_7918-1.jpg

Squirrels weren’t the only furry creatures playing in the snow today- a curious Marmot came up to say hello
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7965.jpg

Unfortunately, a strand of Alder Brush was waiting our arrival. A few stream crossings and
hideous bushwhacking got us back to the car. I’d like to personally thank Mofro261 for
the libations that soothed my soul after this, less than pleasant bushwhacking experience
http://www.sierranevada.com/beers/images/m-plbeerb.jpg

Summer skiing doesn’t always elicit the opportunity to bag the big technical lines. But today
we gpt to ski from glacier to valley- with a few couloirs thrown in between.
Hiking, Skiing, and Climbing with great friends in fantastic conditions is what it’s all about.
I’ve got a perma-grin plastered across my face that will last for days, if not years.

I’m sure Zbo & Mofro will have some more pics along with commentary to add. That’s it for now.
I’m spent. Much props & thanks- yesterday was $$$$$!


EDIT: A few more pics to add

future project for another day
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...IMG_7662-1.jpg

zbo pointing towards one of his 2006 winter outings
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...IMG_7719-1.jpg

I'm pretty happy- can't you tell?
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7880.jpg

Forbidden Peak / Boston Basin
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7909.jpg

Mofro up close
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7921.jpg

Squirrel in the cornfields- charging towards the Alder Play-spot
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7941.jpg

Time to head home
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7894.jpg

that is awesome cant believe you guys are skiing that good of stuff at this date

Big pics for a big tour. They go hand in hand:) . I wish we could get half that vert here in Colorado right now. Looks amazing. Nice one Squirrel.

Nice day!!!!

Your F*&ng killing me though

BT

Schweeet squirrely! Way to rally up the rodent troops...that Marmot looks like he needs a lot more exercise! And that snow looks sooo smooth! Looks like a blast! Thanks for the TR.:)

Nice stuff, SQ!

Love the sound of the wet slush when Z heads down.
Good for youz guyz!

I think you've outdone yourself on this one, honey chile. Your pictures and TR are out-friggin-standing!

Uh.......


YAYEAHHHH!!!


Gawdayum that looks fun.

Wow. Awesome. And to think, people still don't know that we have mountains up here.

I went for a trail run to Source Lake today. Does that count?

edit: oops

did you ever know that you (collective you) are my heeeeero
and everything i wish I could be

I can fly higher than the mountains
because you are the wind beneath my wings......:yourock:

Great write up Squirrel99.

Here's a few more...


I've been in the PNW nearly all of my life, yet until yesterday had never seen the beauty that is Cascade Pass. We'd been mulling a trip to Ranier but Z-bo lulled us away from the crowds and into scenica majestica.

Besides, Squirrel99 had mentioned he was up for something mellow. A late 4:30am departure from Seattle got us to the trail head by 8am.

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic1.94a.jpg

An easy tennis shoe walk got us to Cascade Pass in 2 hours.
Snow fields were still running down to 4500ft on south aspects, 3800 north.

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic2.943.jpg

Great! We're here. I didn't realise we still had another 3200 ft to climb.

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic3.f4a.jpg

Starting the last 1200ft push up

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic4.8fe.jpg

We reached the top around 3 with little wind and temps in the mid 70's.
I did a ski cut then rolled over the lip to find firm corn on the face.

Z-bo and Squirrel99 contemplating slough management.

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic5.680.jpg

The slide I cut off sounded way worse than it really was. I had already skied down, stopped and got out the camera just as it was hitting the rocks only ~100ft below the starting point.

Squirrel99: Joining the Sahalie Ski Club

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic6a.jpg

Z-bo heading for Stehekin

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic7.942.jpg

Squirrel99 really wants to go boating. Headed for the lake.

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic8.5c9.jpg
http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic9.097.jpg

Squirrel99 shows his poker face. What's he really think of Sahalie?

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic10.235.jpg


Looking back up Sahalie from Cascade Pass

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic14.468.jpg


This was a long day. Up, down. Up,down. Up, then down our final descent after 6pm. The snow on the north facing aspects was nice and firm. Though with the relief in this valley, not a lot of sun hits it.

Sq99

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic11.7e7.JPG

Z-bo

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic13.d90.jpg

We skied to within a 1/4 mile of the car. But what a helacious 1/4. Z-bo and I stayed on the scree and followed the river to minimize the alder. Squirrel's are usually right at home in the forest, so he decided to try his luck. An hour later Sq99 emerged form the heart of darkness, and we were all refreshed from the days adventure.

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/pic15.c32.jpg

Z-bo, Sq99-
Thanks again for an awesome day.

You fags.

F*cking outstanding! ***** all the way. Man I'm bummed I missed out on that one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Squirrel99

I think this one is Boston Glacier?
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7909.jpg

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That's Boston Basin (unglaciated, except for a small one below Forbidden Peak). The Boston Glacier is actually on the other side of the ridge, and is huge and full of crevasses:
On the left here:
http://www.mtnphil.com/Forbidden2/LukasRap.JPG

Nice trip... we were in the area a week before on the other side of the valley, and oggled those lines down into the lake - definitely looked like "the way" to ski off Sahale.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Squirrel99

6Doubtful Lake with (Mix It Up peak? In the background)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/IMG_7891.jpg

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That's Magic Mtn. Mixup Peak is just off to the right.

Beautiful. The Sunrise Road at Rainier is supposed to open on 7/1, by the way.

That is absolutely amazing.

If it were the Alps there would be a rotating restaurant on top of Sahale.

Fucking sweet.

Z-Bo doesn't suck at skiing, by the way.

gracias everyone. that was one helluva day.
phil- thx for the peak corrections- I'm still a little bit wasted from yesterday and couldn't remember all the names :o

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Schmear

I went for a trail run to Source Lake today. Does that count?

---

you get a participation ribbon ;)

Nice TR Squirrel! Those alders sound... unfun. For me it's willows. I am constanly saying "willows are not my friend" :) Looks like you guys had a great day, and I definitely dig your future project! :)

Well played my friends. Well played.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

Well played my friends. Well played.

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When are you coming up to play with us?

Next year.

PacNW.

Warsh & Whist

(in some combination, somehow).

I.

swear.

to.

GOD.