Bayley Stejer
A collection of trip reports that plays with fire... Oh wait, not fire... plays with ice, considerable avy conditions, atmospheric rivers, and just about everything else that one could expect of an El Niño winter. Read on, dear friends, for a double summit, an adequate pit toilet, the Silly Stilly, and (my personal favorite) "snack ledge."
Sea Kayak - Burrows & Allan Islands - 1/1
"Everyone agreed this was the best paddle of the year." -Tom Unger
Starting 2024 out strong with the year's best paddle. Tag along for a mild, winter sea kayak around Burrows and Allen Islands.
Basic Snowshoe - Commonwealth Basin - 1/5
"And, given the depth of new snow, appeared there had been no one there for at least a week or more" -Roseanne Lorenzana
A snowshoe at Commonwealth Basin that escapes snow bombs, adverse weather, and dramatic echoes and treks through fluffy, untracked powder instead.
Cross-country Ski - Cabin Creek - 1/6
"Almost no skaters due to the deep ungroomed snow." -Logan DeGrand
A crew up for the challenge of laying tracks. Read on for a sweet taste of freshies at Cabin Creek.
Winter Scramble - Valhalla, 5050 Pass - 1/6
"Glorious Mount Constance views on this beautiful 5000’ gain trip from the Dosewallips River Road." -Dave Morgan
We'd do just about anything for glorious views (and glorious views only). Stick around for a successful scramble at 5050 Pass with the greatest surprise of all: fair conditions.
Day Hike - Mount Walker - 1/7
"We were a strong group and enjoyed each other's company!" -Nancy Lloyd
A hike so nice, they did it twice! Read on for a double summit of Mount Walker just before the storm rolled in.
Day Hike - Big Creek & Otter Falls - 1/7
"The falls were just so lovely, the lake covered in slush." -Michelle Peterson
Highlights from this trip report include a slushy lake, a pit toilet (in very good shape), an efficient but comfortable pace, and a consistent snow blanket that amplifies the beauty of winter at Big Creek and Otter Falls.
Basic Snowshoe - Franklin Falls - 1/15
"Smiles all around upon returning to warm vehicles." -Roseanne Lorenzana
Read on for clear blue skies and frigid temps aka ideal conditions to test cold-weather apparel performance at Franklin Falls.
Ice Climb - Franklin Falls - 1/20
"Fantastic Washington water ice after a freeze." -Isley Gao
Franklin Falls from a different perspective. Read on for a four-star ice climb not too far from home.
Whitewater Packraft - South Fork Stillaguamish - 1/20
"More difficult than I remembered." -Tom Unger
Stick around for a boney, class III paddle of the Silly Stilly that proved more technical and interesting than originally remembered.
Intermediate Snowshoe - Pinnacle Peak & The Castle - 1/26
"The quality of adventure, solitude, and team work all combined to make it a super fun day." -Louise Suhr
A trip report that turns nerves into a notably good time. Read on for a small but mighty team, "snack ledge," and above average rollerballs at Pinnacle Peak.
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