Are the terms interchangeable or are there differences between them? Thanks for any clarification!

It seems to me that "scree" is a broader term than "talus". The latter only refers to debris broken off a cliff over time and accumulated just below it, typically at an angle of 30 to 40 degrees.

By their technical definitions, scree and talus are the same.

Most climbers that I know (esp. in Glacier National Park) use scree to describe smaller sized material up to gravel size and talus for larger material.

Many descriptions in the climbing guide to Glacier mention when scree slopes (vs talus) are involved since scree slopes provide a quick and fun descent because you can run down.

Most climbers that I know (esp. in Glacier National Park) use scree to describe smaller sized material up to gravel size and talus for larger material.

Agree.

In common usage among climbers, scree is smaller than talus. Scree is used for loose pebbles or gravel on a slope. Talus is bigger and can even include house sized rocks.

Also, with climbing usage, sometimes talus can be pretty solid or very loose. Scree is always loose.

The Oxford English Dictionary, states that the first recorded written use of the term "scree" was by the Reverend John Hutton in the glossary of his 1781 guidebook, "Tour to Caves" (2nd Ed.), in which he defined "scree" as small stones or pebbles and that the first recorded written use of the term "talus" was by the eminent English geologist Sir Charles Lyell in his classic 1830 treatise, "Principles of Geology."

That sounds pretty good. Thanks much!

I'm told the Sierra Club once had a size distinction, but I've failed to find a quantitative reference.

Fred Spicker wrote:Most climbers that I know (esp. in Glacier National Park) use scree to describe smaller sized material up to gravel size and talus for larger material.

This ^^^^^^^^

If it's scree, you can often "ski" down it.

Thanks. This is the area that prompted my curiosity:

Even though there are some pretty big rocks here I would still call this scree. In fact you can here the stuff sliding and rocks falling as it still seeks its angle of repose.

Yup. Definitely scree.

For me, basically if it is better to ascend than descend then it is talus. If better to descend then its scree.

Bubba Suess wrote:Thanks. This is the area that prompted my curiosity:

Even though there are some pretty big rocks here I would still call this scree. In fact you can here the stuff sliding and rocks falling as it still seeks its angle of repose.

Hideous, agonizing, why-would-anyone-want-to-do-that scree.

Unless you're descending it!

Bob Sihler wrote:

Bubba Suess wrote:Thanks. This is the area that prompted my curiosity:

Even though there are some pretty big rocks here I would still call this scree. In fact you can here the stuff sliding and rocks falling as it still seeks its angle of repose.

Hideous, agonizing, why-would-anyone-want-to-do-that scree.

Unless you're descending it!

Fortunately I don't have to. I have been scouting this canyon out in preparation for a circumnavigation of Mount Shasta next summer. The canyon in the image is the biggest obstacle to a successful circuit and thankfully I don't have to descend or climb that section. Most of the canyon is nasty scree but the area around Mud Creek Falls is more stable, with large boulders to climb. Otherwise, that would really, really stink.

How many days is the trip expected to be?

I am thinking 4 days or so. To some degree it will depend on how much time I can make to do it and how much time my buddy can get off from work. We would prefer to do it in five days just to be out longer and not have to come home right away, but we will see.

You should start from your front door too! Would be awsome to hike for 4-5 days without even driving to a trailhead.

mrchad9 wrote:You should start from your front door too! Would be awesome to hike for 4-5 days without even driving to a trailhead.

That would be cool but I don't think we have the time for that. Funny you say that though. I have been saving for a quad and once I get one, I will be able to ride it from my house all the way up to about 7,500 in the Five Fingers, which is about 1,000 feet below Hidden Valley. Not quite the same thing but it will be fun to be able to cruise up onto the mountain like that.