Solo Trips

Paradise to Carbon River Ski Traverse

Beautiful sunset over Mount Rainier
Beautiful sunset over Mount Rainier

The Paradise to Carbon River ski Traverse in Mount Rainer National Park was something that just fell together. Being quite familiar with the terrain that surrounded the area I had always wanted to link these areas together. Once again I wasn’t interested in a traditional ski traverse and wanted to put together a more up and down route. With 3 weeks of high pressure I found myself doing this tour right after a solo week on Glacier Peak and again was going solo. In all it would be 5 days, 45 miles and 23,000 vertical feet of some of the nicest lines in the park.

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Sourdough Traverse

If you have even been on the summit of Crystal Mountain on a sunny day there is a good chance the Sourdoughs have caught your eyes. Across the valley from 410 lies a small range of ski worthy peaks that I had wanted and planned on riding for years but for one reason or another plans never seemed to pan out. But finally the stars alligned to pull off the Sourdough Traverse.

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Crater Mountain in the North Cascades

Crater Mountain off Highway 20
Crater Mountain off Highway 20
Sunrise over Crater Mountain in Washington

Crater Mountain is situated just east of Ross Lake and dead center in the North Cascades. This area which is found in the Hozameen Range. The top of Crater Mountain holds two separate summits which until recently housed a fire look. From the high point this area has some best views of the North Cascades. With names like the Picket Range, Jack Mountain and Goode Mountain surrounding its landscape one can see why little attention is paid to this peak from a skiing perspective.

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Robinson Mountain in the North Cascades

Mount Robinson in the North Cascades of Washington

Robinson Mountain in the Okanogan Range is rugged but beautiful backcountry ski. While only five hours away from Seattle this area provides massive rugged mountain. The area is sitting in some of the most isolated wilderness within Washington. With a topographical map and an old climbers trail I was nervous. I was running solo into … Read more

Sahale Arm Scenic Ski Tour off Cascade Pass

Looking at Sahale Peak in the North Cascades
Looking at Sahale Peak in the North Cascades

After a long day of touring up Mount Shuksan via Sulphide Glacier, I was looking to do a mellow tour in the nearby area. Sahale Arm lies on the eastern edge of Cascade Pass and has safe slopes almost to the summit. At the moment I was looking for a long, senic and safe tour since I was going solo. With limited options between Mount Baker and the Puget Sound soon I settled on driving up Cascade River Road. Before long I arrived at the gate and it was time to get ready for a long day.

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Crystal Mountain Southback Complete Traverse

With the end of the lift accessed resort season coming up fast I decided to make the most out of the powder and daylight. It had been a few days since it had last snowed but conditions were still good if you worked for it. Seeing that there were skin tracks everywhere I decided to link them up. I would do a full traverse from 3 Way Peak all the way to East Peak and ride the main lines along the way. It was ambitious but time and energy was on my side as I set a goal to ride all the lines in the Crystal Mountain Southback.

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Silver King Attempt at Breaking the Record

It had been a while since Crystal had opened its “Southback” (or lift accessed southern backcountry), the crowned jewel of which is the Silver King Peak, a 7000′ peak with north-facing laps to be had back to the base of the chairlift. The hike out to the top of the peak can take anywhere from twenty minutes to over an hour, depending upon the individual and snow conditions, and consists largely of traverses and some bootpacking.

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Flett Glacier Headwall Solo Midwinter Tour

Mowich Lake to Flett Glacier Headwall backcountry ski tour in Mount Rainier National Park
Mowich Lake to Flett Glacier Headwall backcountry ski tour in Mount Rainier National Park
Snowboarding the Flett Glacier Mid Winter in Mount Rainier National Park

The Flett Glacier Headwall is one of my favorite summer spot for me for ski touring. It’s a long distance to access the headwall from Mowich Lake in summer let alone in winter. With the weather looking so nice, however, I thought this would be the day to go for it. If the conditions lined up I would go for over Mount Pleasant and into Spray Park before riding the Flett Glacier Headwall.

A Little Bit of info About the Flett Glacier Headwall

The Flett Glacier headwall is located on the north side of Observation Rock in Mount Rainier National Park. The hike starts from Mowich Lake off the Carbon River Road and can be accessed via the Spray Park Trail or through Knapsack Pass. Starting at 8,300 feet it drops into Spray Park and turns can be had all year long.

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Old Snowy, Goat Rocks Wilderness

A scenic shot of Old Snowy and the Goat Rock Wilderness

Old Snowy, Goat Rocks Wilderness

7/27/09

When at the summit of Crystal Mountain on a clear day there are a few peaks that dominate the southern skyline. The Goat rocks is one of those places that many have seen but few are aware of as its overshadowed by its better known companions Mt Adams and Mt Saint Helens. With huge alpine slopes, rock faces and north facing Glaciers it is a truly unique gem of the Southern Cascade landscape.

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