Glacier Mountaineering Society

Sat, Jan 9 2016 - Ski Touring (View Original Event Details)

Coordinator(s):		Joe Grabowski
Participants:		Joe Grabowski, Felicia Ennis, Denise Grabowski

Write Up:
A small but strong group with a positive attitude ventured up the Marion Dickey ridge to seek out untracked snow. In this year of just one major snow event and backcountry trailheads packed with cars I have been successful so far in finding untracked snow. Today was no different for the first run at least. Regardless, it is impossible to find ski runs devoid of brush below 5,500' to 6,000'. Today was no different once again. We decided not to ski the sun crust on the southerly aspects and chose to exit down into Dickey Creek after the second run. The skiing was okay. Frankly, there is not enough snow and most areas are completely tracked up. Discouraging on both accounts. A rugged adventure in the Middle Fork. Count on it no matter where you go in the region. Participants were Felicia Ennis, Gary Ludwig, Denise and Joe Grabowski. Some notes on conditions. Stability is good but watch out for what happens after the next snow event as the snow on the surface is unconsolidated and faceted sitting on top of a good sliding surface; sun crust on the south and melt freeze on the north. Minimal coverage below 5,500' with a lot of brush showing making exiting at the end of the day treacherous. Many trails have blowdown issues from the November wind event.

Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Tim Anderson at twamontana@gmail.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.