Has Anyone Ever Skied He Devil in the Seven Devils Range to the Salmon River?

Here at Palouse Backcountry we are all about dreaming big. I often wonder about unskied lines in Idaho and to me the most obvious is a ski descent from the summit of He Devil or She Devil to the Salmon River. This would be a ski line of about 8,000 feet or so and would take an exceptional snow year and a ton of logistics. From what I know of the routes it would probably take at least one or two rappels as well. I know people often ski Windy Saddle and occasionally venture deeper into the range in Spring but I have never heard of anyone skiing off any of the summits. There is just so little information about skiing in Idaho's Seven Devils Range.

It would probably take more snow than this! Photo:Hughes Real Estate Group

East Ridge of He Devil in August. Photo: Klenke/SummitPost

If anyone has any information about anyone who has skied the high peaks of the Seven Devils, I think that that information would be highly valuable to people who enjoy ski mountaineering history in Idaho. It seems this project would take a professional crew the likes of Chris Davenport but how cool would it be if it were a University of Idaho student or a river guide from Riggins. Dream Big!

Moscow Mountain Winter/Spring 2012 Photo Dump

Here are a few pictures to help stoke the Moscow/Pullman skiers. The snow on Moscow Mountain is surprisingly deep and often powder. Get out and explore the old Tammarack Ski Area and the cliffs of East Moscow Mountain.



Small Avalanche crown below East Moscow Mountain Lookout



Frozen and new avalanche debris in trees below face.



Frozen debris from old slides.



Does not look like much from the parking lot on Tammarack Road.



Salomon Face below the Moscow Mountain Snotel Site.



Glades on the South Side of Moscow Mountian.



Salomon Face



Looking down to the parking lot from the East Moscow Mountain lookout area.



 

Corn conditions below the lookout.



South face of East Moscow Mountain.

I hope this encourages folk to go and explore there backyards. Treat the upper mountain as you would any avalanche terrain. The easiest ways to the top include folllowing the road or skinning directly up the west side of the hill via a cut path through the trees, past a clearcut and directly up the Southeast face of East Moscow Mountain. After a few trips you can find the path of least resistance. Please be aware that others may be hiking below when dropping in and know they most likely do not have transcievers. I have seen the entire face settle about an inch while multiple people were skiing on a sunny weekend. Be carefull not to be complacent on this seemingly insignificat ski run. Also beware of large cliffs in the area. Happy Hunting and stay safe.

Stevens Peak, North Idaho Spring 2012 Photo Dump:

Here are a series of beta photos from various ski tours into St. Regis Basin and East Willow Creek Basin during the spring of 2012. I hope they help with future exploration.

Couliors in Upper St. Regis Basin

Stevens Peak Northeast Face and North Ridge

Stevens Peak from the North Ridge

One of the North East Couliors. (note traverse ledges on the right hand side)

Top portion on main NE Coulior

NE face



NE Coulior in July 2012



Great skiing whenever you can get it! Lookout Pass has alot to offer and these are just the main objectives. There are literally hundreds of other lines within a few mile of the Highway. Happy Hunting. 



2012-2013 Ski Season

Sorry for the long lull in post. My friend Steve Romeo the author behind TetonAT and a huge personal inspiration died in an avalanche on Ranger Peak in Grand Teton National Park on March 7,2012 and it really sent me into a period of soul searching. Their will be post for the 2012-2013 season but if you feel like being a contributor to this blog please email me at palousebackountry@gmail.com. Thanks and stay tuned for more.




North East Couloir on Stevens Peak July 17, 2012. The last day of the 2011-2012 Season! 





Guest Trip Report: St. Regis Basin

Well its been a pretty boring week for myself. I have had a version of the flu crud thats been going around. Its been over a week since I have ventured far off into the backcountry so I really apprecieate the trip report I got from Palouse Backcountry reader Shane Harting.


Shane submited some great photos of his trip last week up to St. Regis Basin. Ben Clark, another local skier headed up as well to get in on the action. Looks like he had great conditions and he reported that the avalanche conditions were fairly stable. They also submited a great video!


By Shane Harting

Here is some pics from last weekends adventure in St Regis Basin. Base camp is around 2-21/2 miles from the pass, or a little over a mile from the trailhead near the bottom of the backside lift @ Lookout. I concentrated my skiing on the north side ridge (6400+). Excellent conditions and 2000' vertical runs of creamy powder! Awesome trip!! Had a buddy come up for two nights, so only solo for one night.  This place is one of the best BC areas in the Inland Northwest; with easy access, bountiful snow pack, and user-friendly options for routes and runs....

 


Upper Stevens Basin



Steeps



Looking down into St. Regis Basin

It sounds like they will be up there this week as well so if your in the neighborhood be sure to stop by and say hello.

 If you get out in the backcountry and observe any avalanche, weather, access, or snow conditions you think may be helpful to the public please send them in. Also, if you have a trip report you would like to submit please send them in. If you can it seems like the 1600x 1200 digital photo size works the best. Mosct digital cameras have an easy adjust setting. You can email palousebackcounrty@gmail.com.  Thanks for visiting! Have fun and be safe.

Ski Local: Part 2

Well its been an interesting week on the Palouse. We have experienced about every type of snow conditions this week. For me this week has been a chance to ski some areas I've been eyeing since the summer. Most Of the places I have been skiing this week are on private property. As such I have been reluctant to publish information on the interwebs. Instead of tippy-toe around the subject I would prefer just being straight forward. If you attempt to ski on private property always make sure you ASK FIRST in areas that are legally posted. By not doing so you risk the recreational opportunities that may be historically tolerated. Also, you may be confronted by angry landowners wondering what the hell you think your doing.  Always be prepared to explain why you are on someone else's property! That being said most people will let you if you bother to ask.


They call me Stormy Tuesday


This week Tuesday and Wednesday were great. As I was skiing down from Emile Ridge on Wednesday the freezing rain began to fall. By Thursday it was obvious that the rain crust had formed most everywhere around the area. I like skiing in firm conditions so I thought a trip up West Twin would be in order.  I had not been on a ski trip up West Twin in about five years so it was great to see the road block again. The air had heated so that the snow in the trees was constantly falling everywhere. This constant noise let me accidentally sneak to within about 20 feet of a large cow Moose. I was fumbling with the camera as it walked away and was immediately invisible. Next time I guess.




Moscow Mountain Road Block 1/19/12

A group must have been staying up at the Warnick Cabin. They picked a good week. There was a great skin track up Cabin Rd. and a couple cars in the parking lot covered in snow.  The skiing sucked but it was nice to get out. I wonder in anyone knows of a shortcut to the top of West Twin. It just doesn't seem that efficient to follow the road. However the bushwhacking in that area in gnarly. I'm thinking about traversing from Gemini trail west. Any thoughts!

On Friday it was back to Emile Ridge for some lines I have been eyeing for the last decade.




Flax Meadows



Emile Ridge, Idaho 1/21/12



Short, Fun, and steeper than it looks.



Again from the top, this time with feeling!

Overall the skiing right around Moscow is great. Aerobically you can ski for miles and technically you can find steep pitches although they are short. I can not stress enough the importance of accessing these site legally. The last thing we need as a community is to be seen as a bunch of hippy poachers. When in doubt, ask or go elsewhere. There are many public areas that offer fun just not at such a close proximity.  

I want to thank all the folks that have sent positive emails and the like. Coming up in the next couple weeks will be a few guest trip reports and a piece on helping to fight illegal snowmobiling in wilderness areas.

If you get out in the backcountry and observe any avalanche, weather, access, or snow conditions you think may be helpful to the public please send them in. Also, if you have a trip report you would like to submit please send them in. You can email palousebackcounrty@gmail.com.  Thanks for visiting! Have fun and be safe.