Forum Index > Trip Reports > Heather Lake MLH 05/16/08
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jimmymac
Zip Lock Bagger



Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 3705 | TRs | Pics
Location: Lake Wittenmyer, WA
jimmymac
Zip Lock Bagger
PostSun May 18, 2008 1:46 pm 
Snow starts beyond the first pungeon. About 8' of snow remained at lake shore level as of Friday, 05/15/08.
This boardwalk will be sunbathed and dusty dry in a matter of weeks.
This boardwalk will be sunbathed and dusty dry in a matter of weeks.
Some of the outlet channels were more defined than others.
Some of the outlet channels were more defined than others.
East Shore, and a dip in the divide between Heather and Lake 22.
East Shore, and a dip in the divide between Heather and Lake 22.
Rock fall was a more frequent occurence than snowslides. The crashing of boulders was something the observer had to see. By the time the sound would travel across the basin, the falling rock would have already come to rest in the snow.
Rock fall was a more frequent occurence than snowslides. The crashing of boulders was something the observer had to see. By the time the sound would travel across the basin, the falling rock would have already come to rest in the snow.
Innocent enough looking void; collapsing into what is now a swollen and fast moving outlet channel.
Innocent enough looking void; collapsing into what is now a swollen and fast moving outlet channel.

"Profound serenity is the product of unfaltering Trust and heightened vulnerability."
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Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker



Joined: 16 Dec 2001
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Location: Cle Elum
Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker
PostSun May 18, 2008 1:51 pm 
Dogs in carry.... Which Heather lake James?

"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide." — Abraham Lincoln
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Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker



Joined: 16 Dec 2001
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Location: Cle Elum
Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker
PostMon May 19, 2008 1:39 am 
Thanks.

"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide." — Abraham Lincoln
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Slugman
It’s a Slugfest!



Joined: 27 Mar 2003
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Slugman
It’s a Slugfest!
PostMon May 19, 2008 3:01 am 
Very nice and succinct trip report. The pictures really do tell a story as well. Here's the story I see in them, or one of them anyway: with the potential for undermined snow, it seems like a twisted ankle or a broken leg is not too hard to imagine. Throw in people dressed for hot weather not cold snow, with little or nothing in packs, and there could be a problem. This is the most dangerous time of the year, when people aren't thinking "winter" any more, but there's still so much snow. Be careful folks.

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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks



Joined: 13 Feb 2007
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Location: Stuck in the middle
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
PostMon May 19, 2008 4:27 am 
jimmymac wrote:
0804 004stk
0804 004stk
eek.gif paranoid.gif That is one scary hole, and those are footprints going around it? Imagine falling in and getting sucked under the snow bridge. down.gif

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Jimbo
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Jimbo
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PostMon May 19, 2008 5:39 am 
Funny, sun comes out and we forget about safety. Thanks Slugman for the Safety reminder.

Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome



Joined: 26 Jul 2006
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Location: Inexorable descent
Magellan
Brutally Handsome
PostMon May 19, 2008 6:06 am 
The attractive woman in pink carrying two dogs is particularly interesting. Not sure what to make of that.

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tigermn
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Joined: 10 Jul 2007
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tigermn
Member
PostMon May 19, 2008 7:08 am 
Jimbo wrote:
Funny, sun comes out and we forget about safety. Thanks Slugman for the Safety reminder.
Yea, not to mention if not now, soon many of those snow bridges will be an adventure and with everyone and their dog coming out of the woodwork on nice days ill prepared... The thing about winter hiking is in general the people going are more serious/experienced. The fair weather hikers stay home. You get an 80+ degree day and everyone thinks it's summer and you start to see people out basically carrying nothing not really equipped for what them might encounter, especially in such a strange snow year where things that might normally be less snowy aren't.

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jimmymac
Zip Lock Bagger



Joined: 14 Nov 2003
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Location: Lake Wittenmyer, WA
jimmymac
Zip Lock Bagger
PostMon May 19, 2008 10:33 am 
The woman was just carrying the dogs over the snow bridge and through the soft snow. I asked her about the dogs. They walked in on their own power. About the hole that had opened up: it was pretty chilling to imagine the consequences. Snow was still solid all around. It wasn't like you'd be shot beneath a snow bridge. More like being sucked under an ice cap. I'd tend to take a dim view of any "woody debris" I might encounter on the way to the next daylight.

"Profound serenity is the product of unfaltering Trust and heightened vulnerability."
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GlacierGlider
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Joined: 14 Sep 2006
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GlacierGlider
Trail Blazer
PostMon May 19, 2008 11:00 am 
It looks like it usually does when I go up there in mid-February...just alot warmer and the wrong time of year... Way too much snow this year... Looks like it was fun though...dangerous allbeit....

"Those who go up the mountain must come down....except me" AKA spylunker...."See you at the top"
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jimmymac
Zip Lock Bagger



Joined: 14 Nov 2003
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Location: Lake Wittenmyer, WA
jimmymac
Zip Lock Bagger
PostMon May 19, 2008 12:26 pm 
Last Friday, there was just an awful lot of water trying to exit the lake - anyway it could. Brush, where it is exposed, was inundated with outflow. Essentially, there was a flood occurring under/through an area still covered with 8 feet of consolidated snow. Once the streamflow recedes to more reasonable levels, it will be harder to have an immediately unforgiving mishap. You'd have to work at it a bit. But as Slugman points out, it can be done. Recipe for Disaster: Select one solo day"hiker." Grease well with sunscreen. Apply REI cotton sportswear (preferably, purchased same day.) Pour fanny pack contents into sifter; remove any overnight provisions. Spread hiker liberally along infrequently visited trail. Posthole lower limbs until at least one joint or tendon is thoroughly done. Mix hiker with surface snow until well saturated. Chill overnight or until gray. Serve in 24" x 84" pan. Keep covered.

"Profound serenity is the product of unfaltering Trust and heightened vulnerability."
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Josh Journey
a.k.a Josh Lewis



Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 4830 | TRs | Pics
Josh Journey
a.k.a Josh Lewis
PostTue May 20, 2008 3:19 pm 
jimmymac wrote:
Snow starts beyond the first pungeon. About 8' of snow remained at lake shore level as of Friday, 05/15/08. enough looking void; collapsing into what is now a swollen and fast moving outlet channel.
Oh my goodness, the snow pack was incredible this year! I went there in 2005 in Febraury with as little as about a foot of snow or less after hiking above the lake to the bottom of the cliffs. Although the lake was forzen that time.
Heather Lake February 2005
Heather Lake February 2005

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