I’m aiming to do this same trip with family on March 26-27-28, 2024, depending on the weather. Resurrecting this trip report to ask a few questions of freeheelfreemind and anyone else who’s gone around Crater Lake on skis. First the tele questions:
I got some great beta from owtdoorzy on the r/Backcountry group on Reddit, who’s done this trip twice on NNNBC gear. They advise the following, anyone want to add to this?
For tree skiing, there are trees off and on the whole way. For open slopes, from Dutton Cliff clockwise to Llao Rock, there are tons of places to get some laps in. This is from my kinda conservative perspective, though: and I don't usually ski above 30*-35* unless I'm enjoying corn conditions (a la spring time Mt St Helens, etc).
Peakbagging
Watchman and Hillman: I haven't skied either but the west slope of Watchman looks sub 30*. Probably a blast!
Applegate and Garfield: the southern approaches to both peaks are almost entirely sub 30*. The trees are open and skiable. The open slopes above are mostly kinda flat, but scenic. I enjoyed both.
Dutton Cliff: again, the southern approach is low angle. Might even be too low angle, though I'm guessing tele gear, like our nordic bc gear, would be great for this.
Mt Scott: this one is a whole big deal and I've only ever hiked up it. Way above my comfort level (which is conservative).
Llao Rock: my buddy and I camped at the junction of the North Road, and the next morning, we skied the slopes above the Rim Drive with our nordic bc gear. We had a blast.
Avalanche Bypasses
Again, strictly from my perspective, some of these are a lot of work, given the specific risks. I think most people who've done the loop would say you can make a decision about each bypass as you come to it, provided you've taken some avy education, checked in with the Park Rangers (you'll need to, anyway), have beacon, probe, and shovel, and pay good attention to the weather conditions.
Dutton Cliffs Bypass: this is a relatively large zone, and the trail bypass would be fairly efficient, given the length of exposure. Last time I was here, the road was covered with avalanche debris. The route through the trees is steep was not signed well when we did it.
Greyback Drive: we did this last time and got lost getting back up the Rim. It's truly not scenic, either. On the other hand, it might be perfect if it's a higher avy danger day, and/or there's crappy weather up higher, anyway. I'm probably one and done for that route.
Applegate Bypass: for the size of these slopes, I might just send one party member at a time (with beacon, probe, shovel, etc).
Garfield Peak: this one's right above the Park Headquarters. When heading up to the Rim, stick close to the Road until you've made it into the trees.
The Watchman: there's no official bypass for this one, and steep slopes below Rim Drive would require a descent of about 800' to find a low angle slope to get off the moraine that forms The Watchman. We went quickly.
If you’ve done this trip, would you like to add anything? I’ll be on 195 cm Asnes Ingstads and my son on 179 cm Fischer S-Bound 98s, both waxless with NNNBC Magnums, Alfa Guard GTX leathers, and the matching half-skins if need be.
Now the camping questions for anyone who’s done this:
Water: We’re assuming no water is accessible and we’ll be boiling each day, yes? Or can we expect any open water on the route we can filter or treat
Stove: Did you take a liquid fuel stove or IsoPro? I have both MSR XGK EX and a Jetboil, just gauging the need to boil lots of water vs the warmish temperatures and convenience of IsoPro
Trip planning: Any guess how many days of 40 degree temps it might take for the snow to consolidate enough to allow for less trail breaking and more peakbagging (whether skinning or bootpacking)?
Traction: If we do get to go high on some of these peaks, will we wish we brought full crampons and shorty ice axes (or the BD dagger pole attachment), or would microspikes be enough, or leave it all home considering we’re on NNNBC?
Helmets: Would you recommend bringing helmets for the glades, or are they open and low-angle enough that a helmet would be overkill?
