[MCR] Stanley Headwall/Nemesis

Subject: [MCR] Stanley Headwall/Nemesis
Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2008 21:03:18 -0500 (EST)
Back to Nemesis today.

About 20 cm storm snow in the early morning, with an additional 20 cm throughout the day for a total storm snow amount 30-40 cm, low density. Total height of snowpack is around 70 cm at treeline. Snow rates today were between 1 and 3 cm/hr.

Winds were mainly calm with just enough breeze at times to send torrents of light spindrift down on our heads throughout the day. Otherwise, no avalanche activity observed or heard, but visibility was quite poor for the most part.

It's getting to the point where skiing up Stanley Ck is viable and might be worth considering if can deal with the risks of early season hazards and a weak base off the track. It would sure be a challenge with climbing packs and leather boots right now. We walked in, which still works OK but it might be worth considering snowshoes if skiing seems a little too scary right now. 2 1/4 hrs moderate trailbreaking to the base, 1 1/2 hr back down. A party on Suffer Machine today used skis for access and some hikers came in on snowshoes.

The climbing was the same as the last time I was there a month ago: fat ice with good pro, in excellent condition, though plastered with snow right now.

From what I saw of the "French Bench" approaching French Reality last
weekend (steep, facetted, shallow snowpack above cliffbands) I would approach this area with caution right now, especially if it seems like it got any wind or slabbing going on.

Hard sledding getting the car out of the parking lot! Bring a shovel if you plan to head there tomorrow in case the plow doesn't make it.

Regards,
Tom Wolfe
AAG/ASG
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