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

[Squirrel99]

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.



American Alps.
Not convinced?


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.



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)


Dropping off the top of Sahalie (pitch was steeper than we anticipated- about 45 degrees)
we descended SE toward Doubtful Lake


Upon reaching the lake, we toured from the east and skinned back up to point 6300


After a short 800 foot descent back to Cascade Pass, we hiked up another 500 feet
so we could catch this tasty couloir


From Cascade Pass, we had a our work cut out for us on the next part of the ascent. Zbo laying boot


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

Looking up toward our objective


Mofro261 scouting lines for our descent. A little route finding was necessary as
only two or three shots went through to the lake


Majestic surroundings combined with near perfect weather make for inspiring day


Looking out towards Forbidden Peak


Pre-summit LAME group shot


Forgot to mention the additional 1500 vert awaiting


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


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.


Panoramic View from the Summit [click picture for quick video]


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]


Watch Zeedashbo kill it in his wife beater- click the pic for short video


Squirrel99 with Johannesburg in the background


Zeedash - framed


Squirrel99 Cornucopia


Traversing to our next section


Mofro261


Squirrel99


Mofro261 having fun with hard slush


On deck


Zbo live once again [click picture for quick video]


Squirrel participating in some "long-berg" jumping


Doubtful Lake with Magic Mountain holding court


Looking back at our line- from peak to ridge to the far looker’s right couloir


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


Mofro261 – “I can see the car from here!”


Squirrels weren’t the only furry creatures playing in the snow today- a curious Marmot came up to say hello

[Squirrel99]

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


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


zbo pointing towards one of his 2006 winter outings


I'm pretty happy- can't you tell?


Forbidden Peak / Boston Basin


Mofro up close


Squirrel in the cornfields- charging towards the Alder Play-spot


Time to head home

[postman22]

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

[iskibc]

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.

[wstdeep]

Nice day!!!!

Your F*&ng killing me though

BT

[SnowTigress]

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.

[splat]

Nice stuff, SQ!

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

[Monique]

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

[kidwoo]

Uh.......


YAYEAHHHH!!!


Gawdayum that looks fun.

[Schmear]

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

[Woodsy]

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......

[Mofro261]

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.



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.



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



Starting the last 1200ft push up



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.



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



Z-bo heading for Stehekin



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




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




Looking back up Sahalie from Cascade Pass




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



Z-bo



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.



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

[alto]

You fags.

[greenmachine]

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

[philfort]

I think this one is Boston Glacier?

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:


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.

[philfort]

6Doubtful Lake with (Mix It Up peak? In the background)

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

[The AD]

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

[nutcase]

That is absolutely amazing.

[Orange Julius]

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

[Steven S. Dallas]

Fucking sweet.

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

[Squirrel99]

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

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

you get a participation ribbon

[mtnbikerskierchick]

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!

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Well played my friends. Well played.

[Schmear]

Well played my friends. Well played.

When are you coming up to play with us?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Next year.

PacNW.

Warsh & Whist

(in some combination, somehow).

I.

swear.

to.

GOD.