– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Winchester Lookout – PNW Trip Report

by Louie Dawson December 7, 2011
written by Louie Dawson December 7, 2011

Skyler and I headed up to Winchester fire lookout last weekend. The snow conditions were abysmal, but the views were spectacular, and it’s always cool to sleep on top of Winchester Mountain.

Into the valley of the shadow of snow; Skyler skinning below Goat Peak.

Into the valley of the shadow of snow; Skyler skinning below Goat Peak.

We drove up Saturday morning from Bellingham. I threw chains on the Jeep at the highway and was able to drive a few miles up the road. Snow driving is something I miss about Colorado, and it was fun to rev and bash our way up the snow-covered road. We dropped our overnight gear after skinning up the road for a few miles, and headed up to Goat Peak. The views on the summit were sublime, and the ice on the descent was survived. The sun set as we headed up to the old fire lookout, and I enjoyed skinning in the moonlight.

The next day dawned cold and windy, we decided to be cautious of any windslabs formed overnight. We skinned toward Tomyhoi Peak. It was fun exploring some new terrain, and proved to be an enjoyable tour. We headed back to our overnight gear, and skied out to the road in the sunset. We made it to the car at dark and quickly proceeded to drop one tire off the edge of the road. A few hours later, with the help of a come-along and some creative rigging, we were on our way.

La Nina looks worn out from a hectic November, and the little girl seems to be sleeping in through the start of December. The massive high pressure has made for some beautiful weather in the high country, but I sure hopes it snows soon. Here are more pictures from the trip.

The good old Jeep Cherokee. It recently turned 250,000, but is still going strong.

Skyler skiing of the summit of Goat Peak. We skied a different route than we climbed, and we quickly found out it held bountiful bulletproof ice.

Skyler skiing off the summit of Goat Peak. We skied a different route than we climbed, and quickly found out it held bountiful bulletproof ice.

I played around with some long exposures in the moonlight on our way up to the fire lookout. Here's Goat Peak. We skied the right summit earlier in the day.

As we moved higher, low level clouds followed. Soon a beautiful sea of clouds was illuminated by the moonlight.

Skiing out from the lookout, we tried a new route. The last few hundred vert proved to be avalanche debris. A good workout in the failing light.

I've carried a cheap come-along in my car for years. It finally proved its worth. Without it we would have been skiing a long slog out to the highway.

14 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
PSA — Telluride Mountain Club (TMC) Announces “Free Bear Creek…Again”
next post
Hagan X-Ultra — Quiver Arrow of the Week

14 comments

kirk turner December 7, 2011 - 11:10 am

Shenanigans!!

Lisa December 7, 2011 - 5:57 pm

Looks like fun. Be careful on that ice!

Mark W December 7, 2011 - 7:27 pm

Great report, Louie. Glad you got your Jeep back on the road.

Lou December 7, 2011 - 8:05 pm

Little does Louie know, but that comalong has a history. It was first used many years ago to lift the masonary slipform on a mansion in Aspen, then moved to Carbondale where it pulled in the bowed wall of our house during renovation, to finally reside in Louie’s amazing Cherokee only to be broken out for a vehicular recovery. Who knows what’s next for that guy!?

Lou December 7, 2011 - 8:10 pm

That one moonlight shot, with the faint stars and the distant peak (Jefferson? Adams?), really sublime. Good job.

Andy December 7, 2011 - 8:24 pm

That’s Baker. It’s a pretty spot, for sure.

Lisa December 8, 2011 - 9:40 am

Louie,
Quite a few folks have told me that they are impressed with your writing. I agree. Your posts are among my favorites. Thanks for taking the time to share your jaunts.
Xoxo, Mom

Jim December 8, 2011 - 12:05 pm

+1 with his Mom on Louie’s excellent backcountry adventures and his nice writing style. I’d say his stories are among my favorites with info and beta on the PNW which has very little info online otherwise.

SnoPresence December 8, 2011 - 12:25 pm

That looks like an amazing adventure! Although the Avy debris at the end of the day, I wouldn’t have been a fan of. Great outlook though. Really enjoyed this article and amazing shots! Looks like you are off to a great start for the winter!

Don The NorthCascades Wanderer December 10, 2011 - 7:37 am

Oh you are playing with fire on the drive in. I have had friends do the same approach to save some skinning, They park a couple miles up the road, do a great overnight trip, unexpected overnight Cascade dumping even though the forecast said otherwise, come out late the next day, vehicle snowed in for the winter.
Be cautious on the drive in,

Don

Larry G December 11, 2011 - 10:51 am

+2 on mom Lisa’s observations. Could a WildSnow, PNW Edition be in the future?

Sam Wellman December 12, 2011 - 8:38 am

That sounds really fun! I hope that I can eventually go on a ski trip as incredible as this. Hopefully I’ll get to it someday and to some real backcountry

Drew Tabke December 14, 2011 - 2:24 pm

Its nuts to have written a book about classic descents in the northwest but not know where Mt. Baker is. You gotta ski up here a little more, Lou!

Cool stuff, Louie. I skied some refrozen ice boulders this weekend myself.

Lou December 14, 2011 - 3:41 pm

I’m just, nuts. Or, aren’t we supposed to be keeping those spots secret?

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • Ian M. on Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird Backcountry
  • Jim Milstein on Food for Thought: On Slopes Above 25 Degrees, THINK
  • Sather on Food for Thought: On Slopes Above 25 Degrees, THINK
  • Ethan Ayer on Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look
  • Andy Mason on A Tale of Two Gloves — BD Crew & OR Carbide – Review

Gear Reviews

  • Skis From the Future — 2021/22 Is All About the Freeride

    February 11, 2021
  • An Education on the Ephemeral Glide — Bases, Wax and DPS Phantom

    February 4, 2021
  • A Carbon Fibre Freeride Boot? — Pierre Gignoux Mountain Review

    February 1, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

    February 16, 2021
  • Cooke City in Photos — Montana Trip Report

    January 29, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Griffin Post Stays Home — Totally Deep Podcast 83

    January 10, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • Totally Deep Podcast 81 — CAIC Director Ethan Greene

    December 9, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • Warm Toes for Cold Smoke — Tips To Keep Your Feet Toasty

    February 8, 2021
  • The Five Pillars of Skintrack Wisdom

    December 17, 2020
  • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

    December 2, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Envisioning a Friendly, Busier Backcountry — Shaun Deutschlander Q&A

    January 18, 2021
  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird...

February 24, 2021

Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle...

February 16, 2021

Cooke City in Photos — Montana...

January 29, 2021