Anyone climbing Snow Creek this weekend?

[ajwoodzy]

Sorry, empty post

[ajwoodzy]

It was a great day and the route was in perfect conditions. Sadly, just below the chokestone, my camera fell into the Snow Creek. I have pictures of the approach, but not from the chokestone to summit. I'll be posting a trip report when I get the chance. We saw Brad and his group come down on skis (Brad was on the snowboard)

[zippetydude]

Wow, coming down on a snowboard - that's a little crazy! I wish I had the guts! Still, your appoach (going up) is what really appeals to me.

I'm looking forward to your pics (sorry to hear about the camera). I'm getting more and more curious about this way of going up. I posted a few shots of San J from the Whitewater preserve on a different thread - if you look at the north side of the mountain, I take it you just go straight up those chutes? Seems extremely hard, but like a great challenge.

I just might try it next year, but I think I'd need training with an ice axe...maybe have to get some real crampons too. How much experience/practice do you think a person needs before doing this route?

z

[backcountrybrad]

Alex, it was a pleasure meeting you and your group. It turns out yesterday was a popular day to be on Snow Creek with three separate parties climbing and another party (4 skiers and 1 boarder) descending. We had a phenomenal time climbing San J from the tram and then riding the snow as far as we could down Snow Creek. At the chockstone we chose to rappel down instead of skirting through the bushes, although I'm not sure it truly saved us that much time. The way down from the chockstone can most accurately be described as an extreme 3 hour bushwhack.
About 100 yards from the car we met up with Woody the watershed caretaker. He met us with a very puzzled look and thoroughly interrogated us about our trip. We must've looked awful funny hiking through the desert with skis and equipment strapped to our packs. We made sure to ask him what he could do about bringing snow all the way down to the desert floor to make the trek out easier. He wasn't amused.

All in all it was a grand adventure.

[FIGHT ON]

Alex, it was a pleasure meeting you and your group. It turns out yesterday was a popular day to be on Snow Creek with three separate parties climbing and another party (4 skiers and 1 boarder) descending. We had a phenomenal time climbing San J from the tram and then riding the snow as far as we could down Snow Creek. At the chockstone we chose to rappel down instead of skirting through the bushes, although I'm not sure it truly saved us that much time. The way down from the chockstone can most accurately be described as an extreme 3 hour bushwhack.
About 100 yards from the car we met up with Woody the watershed caretaker. He met us with a very puzzled look and thoroughly interrogated us about our trip. We must've looked awful funny hiking through the desert with skis and equipment strapped to our packs. We made sure to ask him what he could do about bringing snow all the way down to the desert floor to make the trek out easier. He wasn't amused.

All in all it was a grand adventure.

I hear this guy is gonna take Woodys place from now on.

[FIGHT ON]

Stay safe!

Or we'll start charging for helicopter rides...

--Jim

Jim, Is there a record or a list of where people were rescued? What trail, route, area?

What if there was a hefty fine for being rescued? Not in all areas but in the ones where you guys keep going back to over and over.

Do you think that would have any effect on the average of calls you guys get?

A sign with a big helicopter and something like, "HELICOPTER RIDES $10,000.00", on it placed before those areas might lower those calls, and save lives!
The idea would not be to discourage the number of visitors but to make people double check their gear and think twice about their plans.

[EnFuego]

Stay safe!

Or we'll start charging for helicopter rides...

--Jim

Jim, Is there a record or a list of where people were rescued? What trail, route, area?

What if there was a hefty fine for being rescued? Not in all areas but in the ones where you guys keep going back to over and over.

Do you think that would have any effect on the average of calls you guys get?

A sign with a big helicopter and something like, "HELICOPTER RIDES $10,000.00", on it placed before those areas might lower those calls, and save lives!
The idea would not be to discourage the number of visitors but to make people double check their gear and think twice about their plans.

Fight on - I think in some National Parks, there is already something similar in place. I think if you get rescued, and it is found that you were negligent on your behalf and caused the rescue, then you will get charged. But, I believe the charge is uninforceable. If you don't pay, there is nothing SAR or the National Park can do. Don't quote me on this, but I remember hearing something like this a few years ago.

[FIGHT ON]

Stay safe!

Or we'll start charging for helicopter rides...

--Jim

Jim, Is there a record or a list of where people were rescued? What trail, route, area?

What if there was a hefty fine for being rescued? Not in all areas but in the ones where you guys keep going back to over and over.

Do you think that would have any effect on the average of calls you guys get?

A sign with a big helicopter and something like, "HELICOPTER RIDES $10,000.00", on it placed before those areas might lower those calls, and save lives!
The idea would not be to discourage the number of visitors but to make people double check their gear and think twice about their plans.

Fight on - I think in some National Parks, there is already something similar in place. I think if you get rescued, and it is found that you were negligent on your behalf and caused the rescue, then you will get charged. But, I believe the charge is uninforceable. If you don't pay, there is nothing SAR or the National Park can do. Don't quote me on this, but I remember hearing something like this a few years ago.

If the guy doesn't pay then SAR should find the guy and give him another copter ride back to where they rescued him. In the same condition.

[ajwoodzy]

Wow, coming down on a snowboard - that's a little crazy! I wish I had the guts! Still, your appoach (going up) is what really appeals to me.

I'm looking forward to your pics (sorry to hear about the camera). I'm getting more and more curious about this way of going up. I posted a few shots of San J from the Whitewater preserve on a different thread - if you look at the north side of the mountain, I take it you just go straight up those chutes? Seems extremely hard, but like a great challenge.

I just might try it next year, but I think I'd need training with an ice axe...maybe have to get some real crampons too. How much experience/practice do you think a person needs before doing this route?

z

Thanks! I am hoping it will dry out, but that might be pushing it. Yeah I was actually looking at your pics when you posted the link on here. Yup, there is a chute (couloir) in the center that you take all the way up. It starts at about 5000ft at the chokestone and winds its way up to the top. Yes, it was pretty hard, but well worth it. Well, this was only my fifth outing with crampons on....so for me thats all the experience I had.... I have been around snow and hiked alot but not with crampons and an ice axe before this winter.

[ajwoodzy]

Alex, it was a pleasure meeting you and your group. It turns out yesterday was a popular day to be on Snow Creek with three separate parties climbing and another party (4 skiers and 1 boarder) descending. We had a phenomenal time climbing San J from the tram and then riding the snow as far as we could down Snow Creek. At the chockstone we chose to rappel down instead of skirting through the bushes, although I'm not sure it truly saved us that much time. The way down from the chockstone can most accurately be described as an extreme 3 hour bushwhack.
About 100 yards from the car we met up with Woody the watershed caretaker. He met us with a very puzzled look and thoroughly interrogated us about our trip. We must've looked awful funny hiking through the desert with skis and equipment strapped to our packs. We made sure to ask him what he could do about bringing snow all the way down to the desert floor to make the trek out easier. He wasn't amused.

All in all it was a grand adventure.

It was nice meeting up with you guys too. Yeah it was a pretty popular day to be out on the route. A skier climbed up and then skied down after you guys...It was pretty intense to see him drop in. Miguel (the leader of our group) got a really nice picture of one of your guys skiing down. Yeah the bushwhacking is pretty horrible....We were trying to think how it would be with skis and your snowboard...You were probably ALOT better off rappeling then taking the Class 3 bypass...It would have real hard to get through with your equipment. How was it going through the whole water agency place in daylight?? I think we met the same guy too, me gave us some nasty lip when we got back to our cars. There might be issues from here on out on the route