[pct-l] Good Ice Axe - Old Snowy

[m.karon at comcast.net (Marshall Karon)]

In 2000, the section of the trail in the Goat Rocks which goes below the
ridge of Old Snowy does go across a short, steep, and often icy section of
the Packwood Glacier with snow all the way up and down. It was the only
place in that year where I wish I had an ice axe. Stones and some steps from
other hikers worked, but it was rather scary. On two other occasions I also
went across that section: once there were rocks above and below which I
chose and the other time there was a good soft trail.

The alternate is to go straight up the ridge toward Old Snowy peak and then
down another ridge. I presume that would have been OK any time because it is
more exposed. However, you do have a pretty steep climb to get to it - but
what a view.

Anyway you do it, it is a beautiful, exciting section.

My two cents on ice axes: if you don't know how to use it, it won't help you
if you fall. However, used as a strong pole, it might stop you from sliding
in the first place. But, if you aren't a mountaineer, don't venture out onto
ice in the first place - wait until it softens or find an alternate route.
In 2000, I never used the ice axe except for stream crossings. Would I take
one again?  I don't know.

Marshall Karon
Portland, OR
m.karon@comcast.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Bankhead" <wandering_bob@comcast.net>
To: "Marge Prothman" <marge@prothman.org>; <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2003 2:49 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Good Ice Axe


> Yes and no. Actually, there are two PCT trails diverging near the site of
> the formerYelverton Shelter. One trail goes across the face of the
Packwood
> glacier (the old PCT route); the other (the new PCT aka the high route)
> climbs another 550 vertical feet to go over the north shoulder of Old
Snowy.
> This trail was blasted out of solid rock, can sometimes be hard to find
> north-bound, and may be impassable due to snow. There were no signs when I
> was there, and a spiderweb of brach trails just south of theshelter site.

>
> Carry an ice axe if you take the glacial route. Even a four pm, this
> west-facing glacial face was too hard to kick steps or even edge. I was
> wishing I had inset crampons. If I could have found the high route, I
would
> have taken it.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Marge Prothman" <marge@prothman.org>
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2003 10:35 AM
> Subject: RE: [pct-l] Good Ice Axe
>
>
> <<<<<<<<<<<<< This is typically only a problem on glacier and there
> are no glaciers or even permanent snowfields on the PCT. >>>>>>>>>>>>
>
> Not that I know what I am talking about, but does the PCT cross the
Packwood
> Glacier
> in the goat Rocks? I always thought it did.
> Marge (the old gal)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
> [mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of dude
> Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2003 10:33 AM
> To: rsmithat99@cox.net; pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Good Ice Axe
>
>
>
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