Glacier National Park trip 2016

[PowderPanda]

OK Kids... count down begins.. They have started the plowing on Going-to-the-sun-road. I will do updates as the progress. As in previous years.. they progress, then a big late Spring storm rolls through avalanches tens of feet on the road.

With that.. This means we will begin figuring out when to go. it is pretty much guess as to when they open, mid-June to mid-July.

This is an awesome time with skiing/riding for all abilities.. From extreme to mellow rolls.

The plan will be to get large area for us to camp and mingle!

Road progress:
http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/gttsroadplow/gttsroadplowstatus.cfm

 

[Jonathan B.]

Hell yea, looking forward to this one!

 

[raynord22]

I didn't just pay to re-mount my skis to miss this, count me in as well haha.

 

[PowderPanda]

BTW... Looks like this year Avalanche Camp ground will be open:

http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/cgstatus/camping_detail.cfm?cg=Avalanche

 

[Chiller]

this sounds like a really fun event! How many days typical? Thx

 

[ShailCaesar!]

Praying for summer solstice weekend again this year! Going to try and do the Floral Park Traverse on skis. WHOOHOO!

 

[PowderPanda]

this sounds like a really fun event! How many days typical? Thx

As many as you want... You can actually drive up Friday, ride Sat and then a quick tour on Sunday morn, then get back home before dark! There are tours that are less than an hour.. Sometimes the longest part is the drive up depending on tourists. That's why camping works best!

 

[PowderPanda]

NOTE: The plowing has stopped twice in the last 2 weeks due to avalanche activity. The warm weather is causing a lot of loose slides. New snow coming through this week will cause issues too, but I'm OK with that!!! Hahahaha Build that upper pack!

04/30/16 Note:
Well, more avy's this week.. they got snow up there on this last system. If I were a betting man... I'm gonna guess right now for weekend of June 17th (Father's Day). Maaaaaybe the week before! IMO

 

[PowderPanda]

Well, good and bad news. The West side crew is at Logan pass, East side seems to be a bit stalled. Just read an email from DaveG with GNP Physical Scientist and they have had quite the avy cycle this year, with large wet slides propagated off of large glide avalanches. A very interesting note was that 5-6 slides off of Heavens Peak occurred in the dark between 930pm and 630am (seen on a time lapse camera).
Although a different range, something that we should be noting in our area. On 04/09/16 in a pit I dug I noted that the faceted layer at the base was still there protected by a crust layer. This gets very technical, but essentially, larger navy's are stepping down to the ground.
Note, this cycle has been seen all the way down to the Pintlers.

Most likely, not a year to grab any classic big lines. But we'll see how things settle out going into the next few weeks.


Check out photo's from plowing.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/glaciernps/sets/72157664781759964

Cheers

 

[Brandon]

Well, good and bad news. The West side crew is at Logan pass, East side seems to be a bit stalled. Just read an email from DaveG with GNP Physical Scientist and they have had quite the avy cycle this year, with large wet slides propagated off of large glide avalanches. A very interesting note was that 5-6 slides off of Heavens Peak occurred in the dark between 930pm and 630am (seen on a time lapse camera).
Although a different range, something that we should be noting in our area. On 03/06/16 in a pit I dug I noted that the faceted layer at the base was still there protected by a crust layer. This gets very technical, but essentially, larger navy's are stepping down to the ground.
Note, this cycle has been seen all the way down to the Pintlers.

Most likely, not a year to grab any classic big lines. But we'll see how things settle out going into the next few weeks.


Check out photo's from plowing.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/glaciernps/sets/72157664781759964

Cheers

Thanks for the info Larry, pretty interesting stuff! Hoping if GNP opens up soon enough, I still may be able to sneak in a day or two of sliding before the wedding!

 

[teledance]

So when is the trip this year?.

 

[PowderPanda]

So when is the trip this year?.

Teledance,
How the heck are ya!? We are watching and waiting for the opening of the GTSR.. Should be open by end of month. They've had a lot of slide activity this year, in different ways than in prior years. Which has slowed them down on numerous occasions.. even as late as last week.

 

[teledance]

Doing well, have plans 6/24-26 but hoping for another ski and some cooler weather.

 

[PowderPanda]

FYI... I injured my ankle pretty good with severe tendon tears. Not sure when I'm going to get out there.

 

[ShailCaesar!]

Plows are almost together! I think it'll open next week...

 

[ShailCaesar!]

FYI... I injured my ankle pretty good with severe tendon tears. Not sure when I'm going to get out there.

Ouch sorry to hear that buddy!

 

[teledance]

FYI... I injured my ankle pretty good with severe tendon tears. Not sure when I'm going to get out there.

Ouch PP, well wait and see but tempted if they get it plowed open for next weekend.
Of course there are chores I should do instead, rent excavator dig up and replace leaking faucet head, skiing sure sounds more fun and less responsible.

 

[raynord22]

that faucet head isn't going anywhere , it will wait for you

 

[raynord22]

FYI... I injured my ankle pretty good with severe tendon tears. Not sure when I'm going to get out there.

ouch

 

[teledance]

that faucet head isn't going anywhere , it will wait for you

Ah but the stream from the leak is costing $$ and the hot weather is coming. Still another day older without skiing is frightening.
Well dang, I just came to my senses, and remember the 2014 storm so not going this weekend due to the projected storms expected this Fri & Sat. 6/17&18, and the following weekend is booked.