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so who wants to help out the new PNW kid and gimmie some info on skiing sunrise?
i know its on rainier and i know its gonna open on friday but what's it all about? do you tour it? can ya boot pack it? is it an all day trip? trying to dig up some info and looking into putting a little one day trip together for saturday.
so who's got answers and who's interested in comin' along?
There's a lot of great skiing off Sunrise. Given the temps we had over the last couple of weeks, I don't know how well the snow has held up. I've been trying to consult with the Greenwater oracles, but they seem to be in their trance.
The best lines up there are off Dege Peak. When driving up to Sunrise, there's a hairpin turn with a parking lot. If you stop and go to the W/NW side of the road, down below is a little lake and up a bit to your left is a scenic peak with a couloir off the top. You can't miss it. That's Dege Peak.
Ideally, bring 2 cars and leave one there at the hairpin. Drive on up to the Sunrise lot. Bring hiking boots or sturdy shoe, load up a pack with gear and prepare to hike about 30-40 minutes. Behind the lodges, to the S, there's a ridge about 2-300 vert above the parking lot. There's a trail that goes up to the ridge and then one that goes along the ridge. Go right (E) along that ridge as it parallels the road below and follow it. You'll pass at least 4 saddles with nice lines on N. exposures that hold snow a little better than Dege, but aren't as long. Some are pretty steep.
Eventually, you'll come to the shoulder of Dege and you'll be able to see the hairpin lot. Hang a left and scramble up the ridge to a little slot just below the main summit. Swap gear and peel off down. I'd say it's 800-900 vert and steep at the top with some narrow and wider slots as options on the way down.
Ski down into the basin, bearing right. When the snow runs out, the climb up the ridge to your right can be tricky, especially where the snow meets the heather/gorse. Scramble up that ridge and there's a trail and a 5-10 minute walk down to the hairpin lot.
Rinse, repeat as often as desired.
There's more skiing up towards Burroughs mountain, about 30-40 minutes up the ridge above the Sunrise lot, but to your left. It's mellower, shorter pitches.
Beware of thunder storms. No fun hiking in a downpour with lightening rods on your back.
hummm sounds interesting. anybody wanna give this a shot on saturday or shall we try something else?
thanks for the info mr. highmen
Okay, I'm in- provided it doesn't look like storms are brewing at 7am.Quote:
Originally posted by BC-FLOW
hummm sounds interesting. anybody wanna give this a shot on saturday or shall we try something else?
thanks for the info mr. highmen
HA! So much for sleeping in, huh Squirrel? I want to go too, but weather is not looking so promising for this weekend. Is this going to be one of those"wake up tomorrow morning and decide things?" If so, looks like I am staying relatively sober tonight.
Hell, yeah. I want to go, but if it looks really crappy- I'd rather get my bike out later in the day and play in the mud.Quote:
Originally posted by girlski0912
HA! So much for sleeping in, huh Squirrel? I want to go too, but weather is not looking so promising for this weekend. Is this going to be one of those"wake up tomorrow morning and decide things?" If so, looks like I am staying relatively sober tonight.
you kids and your bikes!
weather is calling for clouds and a 20% chance of precip. not like a forecast is worth a god damn in the PN-dub.
c-mon ya know you wanna ski. snow is only gona melt off. trails on the other hand are gonna continue to dry and get better. i say get it while you can.
and of course my opinion has nothing to do with the fact that i can't join you for a ride. no no that can't be the case. :rolleyes:
Quote:
Originally posted by BC-FLOW
you kids and your bikes!
c-mon ya know you wanna ski. snow is only gona melt off. trails on the other hand are gonna continue to dry and get better. i say get it while you can.
and of course my opinion has nothing to do with the fact that i can't join you for a ride. no no that can't be the case. :rolleyes:
All right, All right, stop with the damn puppy eyes crap.
I'll be up for a morning assault- call me or PM with details
For the record, you will need to pay the $10 entrance fee to get to Sunrise. Actually if you get there early enough you might be able to drive through before the rangers man the booths, but go on the assumption you'll have to pay. The $10 is per car, but it's good for a week, so if you decide to return next Saturday make sure to keep your receipt.
I'm having a garage sale at my house tomorrow, so can't go. If anyone needs to buy a bunch of crap (actually there should be some good household type stuff) my address is 8003 Linden Ave N. No, I won't have any $25 lightly used skis or boots for sale :)
Hace fun!
ok the sunrise trip is on!
if anybody wants to join post on this thread and let me know you are commin. we'll meet ya at the enumclaw DNR oh round 8:30
the plan is to do laps on sunrise. if that sucks then up to chinook for a hike and perhaps build another booter. any way you stack it, it'll be fun.
Damn, I hate it when it's a full bluebird outside :D ;) :D