[pct-l] Good Ice Axe - Old Snowy

[kdpo at pacbell.net (Ken Powers)]

Oops, the link didn't get included. Here it is:
 http://home.pacbell.net/kdpo/pct/white_pass.htm
Ken
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Powers" <kdpo@pacbell.net>
To: <Slyatpct@aol.com>; <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 9:37 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Good Ice Axe - Old Snowy


> Here is a picture of what it looked like Sly. You were probably a day or
so
> ahead of us at that point. Also our best picture of Mt "Rainy-er" on the
> entire trip. It was taken from Goat Rocks. We still refer to whiteouts as
> another view of Mt Rainier.
>
> Ken
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <Slyatpct@aol.com>
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 1:39 AM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Good Ice Axe - Old Snowy
>
>
> > In a message dated 12/21/2003 11:20:52 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> > m.karon@comcast.net writes:
> >
> > > >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.
> > >
> >
> > I'm not sure how I missed this one.
> >
> > I believe according to the guidebooks circa 2000, the glacier route was
> the
> > PCT at the time.  I distinctly remember leaving the shelter and starting
> to
> > climb, except I wasn't supposed to gain much, if any, elevation.  On a
> fogged in
> > day I couldn't see the glacier and the soft cut trail across, until I
was
> > above it looking down, at which time I retraced my steps from the
> immediate flanks
> > of Old Snowy and proceeded gingerly across, no ice ax in tow, just using
> my
> > hiking poles to maintain balance.
> >
> > Due to the fog, from the glacier itself, I had no idea of the drop off
or
> had
> > any idea that Mt Rainier would be in view along Goat Rocks until I saw
an
> > awesome photo after my hike.  I think I was lucky to even see the route
at
> this
> > point as the clouds were blowing through.  Even though my views were
> limited I
> > still thought Goat Rocks was one of the best areas along the trail in
> which to
> > hike.
> >
> > As it was, I didn't see Mt Rainier on any occasion except once, with Mt
> Saint
> > Helen's and Adams from the trail in Oregon, and until I was well past
it.
> > Both times, it only blip on the horizon.
> >
> > I wish I had a camera to capture the magic, but my had broke way back in
> the
> > High Sierra and I didn't get it replaced until a little later in the
trip.
> My
> > film is still undeveloped.  Think it's any good?
> >
> > Sly
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