26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Skiing and mountain literature, photos, and innovative media
Post Reply
E_$
imminent whippage

26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by E_$ »

Dan, Pete and I miraculously synchronized schedules and teamed up on this climb, skeptical but hopeful it would go as a ski. We took "the skier's route" up, a perhaps new climbing route variation to the Ptarmigan Ridge climb that traverses left before the traditional fork in the route, gaining the Liberty Cap Glacier above its ice cliff, and then merging with the Ptarmigan Ice Cliff route. Our route looks like a lightning bolt, two lines on either side of the ridge crest, joined by a traverse.

After a strenuous and cloudy but clearing approach (Pete as skittle-kid Cascade jibber)...
Image

spirits rose as the objective came into view.
Image

From our bivy:
Image

The climb up the lower section was firm (but expected to soften for the ski), and the traverse was exposed and icy.
Image

Image

We soloed the crux, and Pete wisely installed a v-thread above it for later use.
Image

We roped up for the broken Liberty Cap Glacier, and climbed at a determined pace, crossing many cracks.
Image

Image

Dan on Liberty Cap summit of Mt Rainier:
Image

This will come as no surprise to anybody that's skied with Dan, but he crushed the climb like a wind-up action figure.

Not many skiing pics, we were pretty focused on getting down before temps dropped, as the clouds unexpectedly moved in. We followed our climbing route down, negotiating icy cruxes, enjoyed exposed powdery turns, and airing over a couple crevasses.
Image

Image

Pete on our single rap to the icy traverse; Dan can be seen below:
Image

Finally, some firm fun turns to the N Mowich Glacier:
Image

Incredible full-on experience and complete package; thanks fellas. More pics here.

User avatar
Diamond Dachshund
from The Future
Contact:

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by Diamond Dachshund »

Full on. Strong work. It's cool that you guys nailed it this year before it got out of condition. That traverse looks ball-retracting. Was it?

E_$
imminent whippage

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by E_$ »

What balls? Haven't seem 'em since.

User avatar
DonJuanPakistan
Trippin' travellin'.
from Seattle, Washington
Contact:

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by DonJuanPakistan »

Lord have mercy!

PeteH

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by PeteH »

Thanks Eric and Dan for supplying the vision and the stoke. I was just along for the ride and to make the v-threads.


ryanl

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by ryanl »

Way to go boys! Over the top impressive.

Alex

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by Alex »

Sweet! way to kill it.

teleross
TeleRoss
from on the beach
Contact:

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by teleross »

Yeah boyeeeezzz!

User avatar
skykilo
olikyks
from Santa Fe
Contact:

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by skykilo »

Alive/dead status ascertained. Dirty dirty.

User avatar
skykilo
olikyks
from Santa Fe
Contact:

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by skykilo »

Better watch your back for the murderous skiing broccoli.
Image

E_$
imminent whippage

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by E_$ »

!?!?!?
wtf, scary like a clown

ryanl

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by ryanl »

Not that it needs one, but is there a story behind this?

E_$
imminent whippage

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by E_$ »

eat it because it's good for you

User avatar
DonJuanPakistan
Trippin' travellin'.
from Seattle, Washington
Contact:

Re: 26 Jun 2011 - Ptarmigan Ridge Ski - Mt Rainier

Post by DonJuanPakistan »

Add garlic and premier first descents to taste.

Post Reply