Thanks! Actually I've spent many nights camping on glaciers. Usually you hear the cracking and creaking noises of the ice moving and splitting. On the other had, the sound of seracs falling down is loud and violent. This sound was softer and almost sounded like the noise they tell you to watch out for with weak layers and slab avalanches. Obviously at this time of year it was neither of those things. It just sounded like bug hunks of snow detaching and falling away into some cavity below.
It's funny that you ask because today is likely to be the last nice day for quite awhile. It's definitely getting cold at night too. Time to start burning the wood stove again.
lcarreau - Oct 6, 2010 3:59 pm - Voted 10/10
Great teamwork, guys..Now, that's what I like to see here on the big SP.
So, you think the "sound" you heard was part of the glacier breaking away ..? Have you heard that sound on other peaks?
Looks like the sun had been beating down on the glacier.
Glad to see you fellows getting back down safely..
gimpilator - Oct 6, 2010 4:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great teamwork, guys..Thanks! Actually I've spent many nights camping on glaciers. Usually you hear the cracking and creaking noises of the ice moving and splitting. On the other had, the sound of seracs falling down is loud and violent. This sound was softer and almost sounded like the noise they tell you to watch out for with weak layers and slab avalanches. Obviously at this time of year it was neither of those things. It just sounded like bug hunks of snow detaching and falling away into some cavity below.
lcarreau - Oct 6, 2010 4:32 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Great teamwork, guys..Yeah, I suppose that glacier has a lot of cavities with the sun
beating down on top of it.. cycles of radiation and cooling.
Are you guys still having a heat wave in western Washington, or
is it finally cooling down ???
gimpilator - Oct 7, 2010 1:38 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Great teamwork, guys..It's funny that you ask because today is likely to be the last nice day for quite awhile. It's definitely getting cold at night too. Time to start burning the wood stove again.
EastKing - Oct 7, 2010 2:15 am - Voted 10/10
Excellent job!If you ever plan on doing this again, Gimpilator, give me some lead time and I will jump in!!
gimpilator - Oct 7, 2010 10:49 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Excellent job!Sure thing.
gimpilator - Oct 7, 2010 10:50 am - Hasn't voted
UPDATEFor those interested in seeing a video of this trip, check out the summit log on the Sloan Peak page.
Norman - Oct 7, 2010 11:29 pm - Voted 10/10
SloanGood trip report and excellent pics
gimpilator - Oct 11, 2010 12:38 am - Hasn't voted
Re: SloanThanks Norman. I'm glad you like it.
Charybdis - Oct 11, 2010 1:34 am - Hasn't voted
SloanGlad you got such a nice day for this peak.
gimpilator - Oct 11, 2010 8:01 am - Hasn't voted
Re: SloanWe couldn't have hoped for anything better in October. It was perfect.
ExcitableBoy - Oct 11, 2010 9:18 pm - Hasn't voted
Nice!Excellent photos and story. I have seen Sloan Peak's distinct visage from many summits; truly deserves the moniker 'Matterhorn of the Cascades'.
gimpilator - Oct 12, 2010 9:04 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice!Thanks! Seeing Sloan for the first time definitely leaves a lasting impression.
Deltaoperator17 - Oct 11, 2010 10:01 pm - Voted 10/10
WowAdam, really good stuff. Loved the video report as well. Looked a great day of mountaineering!
Best Regards,
gimpilator - Oct 12, 2010 9:08 am - Hasn't voted
Re: WowThank you. I see your mountaineering is continuing to progress as well. You did some pretty big peaks in Idaho this year. Great Stuff!
mike_lindacher - Oct 11, 2010 10:57 pm - Voted 10/10
Super ReportLove that scrolling panaromic.
gimpilator - Oct 12, 2010 9:20 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Super ReportThanks! If you like that 360 view, you may appreciate my others:
360 Degree Panoramas
fzte - Oct 12, 2010 12:45 am - Voted 10/10
Amazing StuffGreat TR... the kind that makes you want to get out and climb. The scrolling panorama is really neat and the photos are excellent.
gimpilator - Oct 15, 2010 1:07 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Amazing StuffThanks Skylar! When are we going to go climbing again?
fzte - Nov 9, 2010 9:48 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Amazing StuffJust say the word!
(I wish SummitPost would send email notifications when people reply to comments.)