Ice Cragging in the North Cascades - February 3, 2002
The plan was to sled up highway 20 to some nice, phat, uncrowded ice on the roadcuts. This
mission was thwarted in Newhalem, by a sign indicating the road was closed in between Newhalem
and Diablo. We found the visitor center in Newhalem (hidden up a secret road). We tried to get some answers, but the
ranger there had no idea if it would reopen anytime soon. Closed to due avalanche danger, but it
had been a while since it snowed. The ranger mentioned the rising freezing levels, and pointed
behind him, where there was slider gizmo doohickey on the wall, which backed up his statement about
freezing levels. Anyhow, they had nice new park brochures with a wintry cover photo.
Our experience in the park on this day, was nothing like that photo. So it goes.
Dave being Dave
We decided to try and find something up Cascade River Road as a backup plan. We drove to the end of
the plowed road, at about 6.5 miles. Here, there was about 2 feet of slushy snow. We unloaded the sled,
got our gear ready, and moved it onto the snow. Then I was wondering where I should park my truck so
anyone who arrived after us had room to turn around. Then, someone arrived. It was a nice couple in a truck with
a plow attachment. They tried to turn around. My truck was kind of in their way.
So was the trailer, which had been stashed against a snowbank. Dave and I hauled the trailer back over
to my truck, attached it, then I got in the truck so I could pull forward and give the plow couple some room.
We had already stashed our skis inside the cab of the truck (we decided we wouldn't need them). I did not
feel like removing them to just move the truck up a few feet. I started the engine and shifted into drive.
Not much motion. I reached under my skis and pushed lightly on the accelerator with my hand. The truck
started moving. I then proceeded to try to dismember my left leg by crushing it in the door as the truck
advanced and veered left into a snowbank. I could not reach the brake, and I couldn't pull my leg in
because my skis were in the way. Luckily, the emergency brake was accessible.
I pushed on it and the truck stopped. Ouch.
The trees of the Cascade River Road
Dave and I got on the sled and set off for a wonderful day of ice climbing. Except we got no further than
a few hundred yards. Then, there were a series of three trees across the road. The first two would have
been ok.
The final tree was
the deal-breaker. Couldn't sled over it, under it or around it. Time to head back. So it goes.
Dave attempts a mixed route off the Cascade River Road. Note the icicle
circled in blue.
Oh no! Dave has destroyed the icicle! Now it will never form again this season - unethical selfish ice climber Dave!
I let Dave drive the sled on the way back. He tested my sled's "acceleration from zero" a lot.
As we
approached the truck, I got off and undid the toboggan. Then, Dave continued on the sled,
and tried to dismember his right leg by attempting to squeeze through the narrow space in between the snowbank
and my truck. He failed, just barely.
We had some hot chocolate, and made it back to Seattle by 2pm.