We had hoped to see the Traslin brothers on one of our days up in the North Cascades towards the end of July but the dates never seemed to jive. As we were finishing a 3 day ski trip w/ one BIG day included Mike and Andy Traslin were packing their gear to cross the boarder and head for the remote ski off of Glacier Peak, and show us what a BIG day really looks like.  Below are some words from Mike Traslin in regards to the last Volcano on their Washington hit list:

Been wanting to ski the remote Glacier Peak in the Cascades for a while now.  The weather looked promising, so my brother and I checked for a good forecast and hit the road for three days. Our other inspiration was to keep the turns all year spirit alive, with a great late snow season we were confident there would be snow left to ski, even if it was almost August.

18 miles to the summit and about 8200ft gained one way. After skiing from the summit of Glacier peak we decided to hit the obvious run on Disappointment peak on our way back to camp.
On day three we woke up to another beautiful day and decided to ski White mountain, before our long hike back to our car. Did I mention there is lot of hiking,but well worth it just for the amazing views. This was the last but not least volcano I had climbed and skied in Washington.

Watching the sun come up in the Artist Point parking lot and burn the morning fog layer off giving us epic views of Mt. Baker and Shuksan and getting us pumped for the big day heading out towards Lasiocarpa Ridge for a ski down the backside towards the Sholes Glacier.

Started out w/ the shirt off (wouldn’t last for long) and working up a good sweat in the morning heat as we made our way on the Ptarmigan Ridge trail behind Table mountain. Just below Ptarmigan Ridge we skied into the Valley (Wells Creek) for a direct route up on the Ridge between Coleman Pinnacle and Lasiocarpa Ridge. As we started skinning for the ridge, the rain started and temps dropped. Out came the Winter ARC’TERYX jacket AGAIN to make things pleasant for the rest of the day. Took a quick lunch once we hit the ridge line and did a short ski on the backside (West face) towards Sholes Creek. Once back on the ridge we skied the nice steep face back down through the mini pinnacles and big rock features down towards Wells Creek. A few skins on/skins we were back at the Chain lakes junction were we decided NOT to walk the trail behind Table but to ski down and boot up the last remaining chute just before the parking lot.

We were intending on spending one more night up there but the rain wasn’t looking like it was going anywhere soon. Made it back to Snoqualmie pass w/ the rain still falling… Good choice.

Wanted to mention that we drafted behind a fast walking mountaineer, Marius Ghetie, on the first leg of our trip. Thanks for the pace Marius and THANKS for the great pics! Below are a couple of his pics and more can be seen on our facebook page.

Just beyond Table Mountain 1.5 miles into the trip. Photo by Marius Ghetie 7/31/10

Skied off the far ridge (left center of frame)down the other side towards Sholes Creek then hit the front side through the mini pinnacles and rock features. Photo by Marius Ghetie 7/31/10

On the day the bridge opened for the Skyline TH just out of Glacier, WA thought it could be a nice ridge walk w/ a possible ski. To make this trip more of a workout, train for hanging w/ the Traslin Bros, and most of all get a friend to come w/ I acted as a Sherpa packing boots & skis x 2 pair for a six mile in to finally get a small patch to play on off of Peak 6563′. The skiing was much better at the 6,000 + level w/ the sun cups small enough to open it up for some good Summer Cascade Carving.

This ridge walk is now one of my all time favorites w/ skis or w/out. Just remember if you do it w/out snow bring lots of water for it is a DRY hike. Check out some pics on our facebook page and friend us while you are there too!

Live to Ski Another Day!
TNT

Camping on the Mighty Nooksack River just past Glacier, WA and skiing some of the surrounding zones. Wanting to take it easy on a couple of days enjoying both the river and the snow, we found our selves up at the Mt. Baker ski area for some “skins on” at the parking lot of the US Forest Service visitor center and made our way for Table Mountain.

Coverage was great for late July but the sun cups were quite large on the super steep skiers’ left Blueberry chutes. Still had last weeks sun cups from Chinook in my head that were very soft and could rip down the mountain slicing right through them w/ no problem. First lap skied the shot just to the lookers’ right of the final pitch of the summer Table Mtn. trail and did a hip check on my third turn which took me by total suprise and put my confidence in check for the far skiers’ left chute. the chute had a nice 8′ or so moat 1/3 of the way down which would gobble you up w/ a fall anywhere above that point, so always wanting to “Live to Ski Another Day” I practiced my survival ski skills the entire way down!

It was nice to have the snow so close to the car but it is time to head much higher now. Any one wanting some steep sun cup car serve skiing? If so, Artist Point opens this upcoming weekend 7/31/10 (if not sooner per the ranger at parking lot this past Sat.).

Check out some pics on our facebook page and friend us while you are there too!

Lots of friends have been asking of the progress up here on our “Home” mountain Summit East – the gem w/ in the crown of jewels of the Summit at Snoqualmie. Well here is a link to our facebook page for some pics taken over the last few weeks up here. The guys are movin’ fast on this project so we can have a lift served season here at Hyak, WA. Don’t know if you remember or not what shut us down for almost two seasons, The Massive Avalanche of January 2009. See the video below taken 15 minutes after Avalanche took out the lift and a locals house w/ him in it watching tv at the time.

The Video below is of some good times on Summit East and what awaits us for the 2010/2011 season!!!
Thanks Dan, Guy, Trevor and the rest of the Summit at Snoqualmie’s kick butt team for making it happen!

July 16th and 17th taking it easy on the American River at one of our favorite campsites just 10 minutes down the Eastern slopes from Chinook Pass, WA. This was my first visit to this zone so late in the season and was pleasantly surprised to find our low route around Naches Peak(to the SE side from the Pacific Crest Trail foot bridge over Hwy 410). One reason I like this tour is being able to click in and get a few turns to start the tour moments after shutting the car door. Once around Naches we just did laps off the Ridge on soft sun cups that were great for carving. Finished up w/ an easy out the same way we came in, then the 10 minute drive back to camp and did a repeat the next day. Great weather!

My Friend Victor Zurn, who I haven’t seen in a while because he has been snosk8in’ Stevens Pass for the most part last season, sent me over this teaser of a film he has been working on since this past Winter – Skate the Snow. This is what Victor had to say:

New Snow Skate Documentary . The history of snow skating so far. Will You Skate the Snow? Gearbox films and myself have taken vintage cuts and fresh footie, along with great interviews with Steve Frink , Rocker Trucks, Pioneer Snow skates and others. Featuring Skating from. Spicoli, Shag, JakeT. and myself. check it out!

July 10th, 2010 – Stuck right in between a good snow thing and Summer trail hiking thing I thought a “Purgatory Walkabout” in the Central Cascades on July 10th, 2010 was in order. Our version of escaping the heat and being green in doing so. Me and Trooper dog left the Hyak Parking lot headed up the old defunked F.S. road towards the Clear Cut. Once on the backside of the Clear Cut climbed up a couple hundred feet to connect w/ the Pacific Crest Trail. Once on the PCT made our way for the Silver Creek overlook just behind lookers’ left (from I-90) Kendall Peak where we hit our first steep snow patch traverse. About 6 or so nice wide patches of snow later we crossed the Kendall Catwalk wich was free of snow. Just past the Catwalk it was skins on and made our way towards Peak 5,851 for our first ski down to Ridge Lake where we would camp.

Day two was hoping to climb up above Gravel Lake to ski down on Edds Lake. I was a week late for that one, so chose to spend the day skiing off Peak 5,851. On my last ski of the day at 7PM I spotted a really nice coulior just below the peak that was good to go down towards Goat Creek Below Red and Lundin. Thought I would hit it the next morning. I started my ski down to Gravel lake and did the short skin back up to camp. Just when I was thinking time for supper and the fact it was just me and Trooper again up here by our by our selves these two guys just popped over the ridge from completing a summit of Mt. Thompson and ask if the lake below our camp was Gravel Lake. They chatted for a minute then started their 3 to 4 hour blaze back down to Goldmyer Hot Springs. I say blaze because they had never traveled that bush whacking route from Gravel Lake to Goldmyer and only having a little over two hours of sunlight left the last hour or so would be w/ lamps.

Was hoping by early morning the sun would win over again but wasn’t looking good. Headed back for Hyak w/ Mr. Drizzle and his girlfriend Sideways Windy joining us the entire walk home to the Yak.

Attention PCT Thru hikers from Mexico to Canada not even close in our zone yet, unless you are traveling w/ an ice axe and crampons. That would surely put your packs over 20 lbs.

Live to Ski Another Day!
TNT

One of the Animals we see in our every day life in the mountains and loved by all dogs, The Squirrel. This one was sent to me and was amazed, so I had to share it (guess it is a mountain sport???).

Time to go find some snow!
TNT

A little teaser from one of the BIG boys…