Growing up in the Appalachians of VA, I've always laughed at the Wyoming version of bushwacking. But there are some areas like in your pic, that can be real killers! Still not at thick as some ridiculous rhododendron groves I've pushed through in the east.... ;)
I've schwacked through forests in Tennessee and Arkansas and I once did a rhododendron grove in Georgia that scarred me for life. But I swear this stuff at the base of Moran is worse!
I tried to descend Pamola via Keep Ridge( the east ridge) before there was a trail. The first 1000 feet of descent was enticing but after a 1/2 hour in the krumholz had to give up and going back up seemed easy.
Oh yeah! Thick extended periods of krumholz is brutal! Recently did a ridgeline full of the crap, between knee and waist high. My biggest problem with it is the rocks, crevices that it hides....more than once I've walked through that crap only to hit gaps and punch through.....good times in hindsight! :)
I really enjoyed your story (it was REAL) and pictures; especially the Skillet Glacier and Sickle Couloir routes and lake pictures. Bushwhacking really slows you down. Yea, sometimes when I cannot reach my goal (summit), I feel bad about it, but in later consideration, I still enjoyed the adventure. YOU all had options, and a backup plan and above all determination and strength. I say you all did great !
I really enjoyed your TR, maybe because misery loves company. I've had two attempts on Moran to try to ski from the summit. First one about the same time of year back in the 90's from Bear Paw with the "traditional" Wyo bushwacking and ultimately got turned back with snow too soft after spending "fright night" in a huge thunder storm. Second attempt was this past winter and got turned back due to equipment problems and technical issues with skinning up such steep terrain, but skiing was great.
I have a love/hate relationship with Moran, But like you, I WILL be back! :-)
Not the Sickle, but the Skillet, so that I can ski from the summit. Both times i was just at the start of the handle, and of course this winter I was able to ski back down to the lake.
I think everyone that skis the Sickle just climbs and skis it. Although i think i remember an account from someone, maybe the late Steve Romeo (Randosteve), and a partner skiing from the summit and dropping in. That is way out of my league!!
darinchadwick - Jun 30, 2013 5:53 pm - Voted 10/10
Canoes and climbersJackson Lake is a scary place during an afternoon thunderstorm. Been there, done that... once.
ywardhorner - Jun 30, 2013 6:28 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Canoes and climbersAgreed!!
RobSC - Jul 3, 2013 4:29 pm - Voted 10/10
3rd times a charm?The CMC route is great so stick with it! Nice trip report...
ywardhorner - Jul 3, 2013 6:27 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: 3rd times a charm?Thanks Rob. We're definitely going back.
WyomingSummits - Jul 3, 2013 11:46 pm - Hasn't voted
BushwackingGrowing up in the Appalachians of VA, I've always laughed at the Wyoming version of bushwacking. But there are some areas like in your pic, that can be real killers! Still not at thick as some ridiculous rhododendron groves I've pushed through in the east.... ;)
ywardhorner - Jul 4, 2013 11:08 am - Hasn't voted
Re: BushwackingI've schwacked through forests in Tennessee and Arkansas and I once did a rhododendron grove in Georgia that scarred me for life. But I swear this stuff at the base of Moran is worse!
jrnewmann - Jul 8, 2013 11:08 pm - Voted 9/10
Re: BushwackingLiving in what is essentially a desert in southern California... What is bushwacking? Ha ha ha
Really though, I am so thankful for my chaparral scrub sometimes.
desainme - Jul 4, 2013 8:14 am - Voted 10/10
In my youthI tried to descend Pamola via Keep Ridge( the east ridge) before there was a trail. The first 1000 feet of descent was enticing but after a 1/2 hour in the krumholz had to give up and going back up seemed easy.
ywardhorner - Jul 4, 2013 11:10 am - Hasn't voted
Re: In my youthI had to google "krumholz" :) Now I know there is even more to fear than rhododendron.
WyomingSummits - Jul 7, 2013 4:44 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: In my youthOh yeah! Thick extended periods of krumholz is brutal! Recently did a ridgeline full of the crap, between knee and waist high. My biggest problem with it is the rocks, crevices that it hides....more than once I've walked through that crap only to hit gaps and punch through.....good times in hindsight! :)
jbonbright - Jul 4, 2013 12:34 pm - Voted 10/10
Great story...Very nice writing style, very entertaining tale. Best of luck the next time you attempt this...
ywardhorner - Jul 4, 2013 7:21 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great story...Thank you very much, jbonbright.
traddad58 - Jul 5, 2013 11:28 am - Voted 10/10
Great trip report !I really enjoyed your story (it was REAL) and pictures; especially the Skillet Glacier and Sickle Couloir routes and lake pictures. Bushwhacking really slows you down. Yea, sometimes when I cannot reach my goal (summit), I feel bad about it, but in later consideration, I still enjoyed the adventure. YOU all had options, and a backup plan and above all determination and strength. I say you all did great !
ywardhorner - Jul 5, 2013 8:37 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great trip report !Thank you traddad58! I do agree that the adventure and the experience are more important than the actual summit (though the summit calls loudly!).
dblblack - Jul 6, 2013 6:34 pm - Voted 10/10
Excellent TRI really enjoyed your TR, maybe because misery loves company. I've had two attempts on Moran to try to ski from the summit. First one about the same time of year back in the 90's from Bear Paw with the "traditional" Wyo bushwacking and ultimately got turned back with snow too soft after spending "fright night" in a huge thunder storm. Second attempt was this past winter and got turned back due to equipment problems and technical issues with skinning up such steep terrain, but skiing was great.
I have a love/hate relationship with Moran, But like you, I WILL be back! :-)
ywardhorner - Jul 6, 2013 6:58 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Excellent TRThank you dblblack and I'm glad to hear you're going back for more! Are you trying to ski the Sickle?
dblblack - Jul 6, 2013 9:02 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Excellent TRNot the Sickle, but the Skillet, so that I can ski from the summit. Both times i was just at the start of the handle, and of course this winter I was able to ski back down to the lake.
I think everyone that skis the Sickle just climbs and skis it. Although i think i remember an account from someone, maybe the late Steve Romeo (Randosteve), and a partner skiing from the summit and dropping in. That is way out of my league!!