Comments on: TR: An all chicks day on Wilson Peak (6/12) http://14erskiers.com/brittanysblog/2008/06/tr-an-all-chicks-day-on-wilson-peak-612/ The life experiences of Brittany Walker Konsella Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:43:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: admin http://14erskiers.com/brittanysblog/2008/06/tr-an-all-chicks-day-on-wilson-peak-612/comment-page-1/#comment-6 admin Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:56:36 +0000 http://www.14erskiers.com/brittanysblog/?p=267#comment-6 Hi Paul! Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I've been so busy with work lately! To answer your questions: 1) The crux of the ascent was probably a 5.5 or so, but that's for just a move or two. Messing up could yield sever consequences. But, like I said, that's only for a move or two. Being short, it took me a 3 or 4 moves :) Doing it in ski boots always makes things more difficult. 2) I don't think it's totally worth belaying on that section. although it is possible. There are definitely secure rocks above it. 3) Catherine descended on foot because she is not quite as good of a skier as Pam and I. When she did ski, she had trouble with the variable snow conditions (alternating between wet slop and solid ice) that are often encountered that time of year. Had it been better conditions, she likely would have been able to ski it. Catherine went along fully knowing she would not be able to ski the couloir in its entirety. But, we knew she could climb well, and she knew that if she had to, she could walk down sections that scared her. 4) I guess I'm not sure what you mean in this question. I think you are asking why we didn't continue all the way down... why did we cut across the slope high? Well, the lower chutes at the time didn't have much snow. And what snow there was was "rotten" because of the rocks (the rocks heated up the snow). Traversing across to the snowfield where conditions were less variable seemed like a good idea, and it was! Earlier in the season, it would have been fine to ski those lower chutes. Hope that answered your question.... Hi Paul! Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I’ve been so busy with work lately!

To answer your questions:
1) The crux of the ascent was probably a 5.5 or so, but that’s for just a move or two. Messing up could yield sever consequences. But, like I said, that’s only for a move or two. Being short, it took me a 3 or 4 moves :) Doing it in ski boots always makes things more difficult.
2) I don’t think it’s totally worth belaying on that section. although it is possible. There are definitely secure rocks above it.
3) Catherine descended on foot because she is not quite as good of a skier as Pam and I. When she did ski, she had trouble with the variable snow conditions (alternating between wet slop and solid ice) that are often encountered that time of year. Had it been better conditions, she likely would have been able to ski it. Catherine went along fully knowing she would not be able to ski the couloir in its entirety. But, we knew she could climb well, and she knew that if she had to, she could walk down sections that scared her.
4) I guess I’m not sure what you mean in this question. I think you are asking why we didn’t continue all the way down… why did we cut across the slope high? Well, the lower chutes at the time didn’t have much snow. And what snow there was was “rotten” because of the rocks (the rocks heated up the snow). Traversing across to the snowfield where conditions were less variable seemed like a good idea, and it was! Earlier in the season, it would have been fine to ski those lower chutes. Hope that answered your question….

]]> By: Paul http://14erskiers.com/brittanysblog/2008/06/tr-an-all-chicks-day-on-wilson-peak-612/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Paul Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:54:13 +0000 http://www.14erskiers.com/brittanysblog/?p=267#comment-7 Great TR, guys! (And certainly the best one available on the internet.) Just a couple of questions: (1) how would you rate the crux of the ascent? (2) would it be possible to belay a second up that section? (is it short enough? any good stances above it?) (3) i noticed that one of you descended into the couloir on foot: what were her thoughts? what was the snow like up top? (4) I've noticed that people often stay high and take your descent route right out of the upper chutes. Do you consider it desirable to ski the lower ones? Do you recall their condition? Nice lei, Paul Great TR, guys! (And certainly the best one available on the internet.) Just a couple of questions:
(1) how would you rate the crux of the ascent?
(2) would it be possible to belay a second up that section? (is it short enough? any good stances above it?)
(3) i noticed that one of you descended into the couloir on foot: what were her thoughts? what was the snow like up top?
(4) I’ve noticed that people often stay high and take your descent route right out of the upper chutes. Do you consider it desirable to ski the lower ones? Do you recall their condition?

Nice lei,

Paul

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