{"id":468,"date":"2017-05-26T18:22:58","date_gmt":"2017-05-27T00:22:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/?p=468"},"modified":"2019-12-11T13:43:27","modified_gmt":"2019-12-11T20:43:27","slug":"circumnavigating-crater-lake-is-a-sufferfest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/circumnavigating-crater-lake-is-a-sufferfest\/","title":{"rendered":"Type 2 Fun: Circumnavigating Crater Lake Ski Tour"},"content":{"rendered":"

Share this Post<\/p>

<\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\"<\/a>\n\n\n\n

Thinking of words to describe the experience of circumnavigating Crater Lake<\/a> ski tour in two days is difficult. Perhaps there hasn\u2019t been enough time since having the experience to fully process it. Perhaps there just aren\u2019t words to describe the ups and downs \u2013 both figurative and literal \u2013 of such a venture. Let\u2019s just start from the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning our Crater Lake Ski Tour<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Phase one is the plan. Some glorified concoction of an adventure that is equal parts challenging and rewarding. Backcountry skiing 33+ miles in two and a half days? Sounds perfect. For days, our free time would be spent staring at beautiful images of the deepest lake in North America. Fantasizing seeing it from every possible angle. Trip reports, snow conditions, ideal dates, all of it becomes an obsession. Praying for perfection but planning for the opposite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next step is wrangling in other crazy people to share the endeavor with. The immediate response is a group of four other ski fanatics who are all game to get after it. The grand idea of circumnavigating Oregon\u2019s only National Park is enticing, and many are quick to jump aboard. As the departure date looms closer and conditions drop to a little less than ideal, only one stuck to the game plan. Emily Mannisto and I were to partner up and tackle this endeavor as two outdoor females<\/a> (who might be slightly masochistic).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"<\/a>\n\n\n\n

Research warned that the 33-mile Rim Drive route for circumnavigating was no cakewalk. Windswept roads, difficult to navigate terrain, varying elevation gains and losses, multiple avalanche zones, no cell service and no option for bailout. Backcountry ski books recommended the trip be completed in 2-3 days and was classified as an \u201cAdvance\u201d tour. However, the speed record for finishing the circumnavigation was eight hours. Feeling young and invincible, Emily and I decided that we were strong enough to endure whatever the Crater Lake Ski Tour had to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"<\/a>\n\n\n\n

Unexpected start to the Crater Lake Ski Tour<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We started late in the afternoon on day one. Since the roads were beginning to be plowed the overnight parking was located at the Ranger Station instead of the Rim Village. As a result, this added an extra mile and a half to the tour plus roughly 1,000ft elevation gain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once at the \u201cofficial\u201d start point, the trail followed along an uneven snow wall since the plows were working and had made about a mile progress. The wall made for difficult terrain and uneven snow. We were stoked when we were finally done with that section. Shortly into the tour we reached the Watchmen area which is one of the many avalanche zones with no real bypass option. Being early May \u2013 late in the season \u2013 the snow was wet and loose making wet slabs the biggest avalanche danger. Fortunately, we spread ourselves far apart and within an hour were across the avy terrain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we continued on, the looming storm clouds slowly began dipping lower and lower. Only about seven miles in, we determined the storm was upon us and it was time to hunker down for the night. Within fifteen minutes of having built the snow platform and setting up camp, the rain and wind were upon us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waking up to a Whiteout<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The next morning was a complete whiteout. Without words, we broke down camp and started navigating our way along the rim. For several hours we were engulfed in white clouds with almost zero visibility. Later, once the clouds had lifted and we were baking the sun, Emily and I confessed that had either of us suggested turning around in the morning we were open to the idea. However, neither of us would let ourselves utter the suggestion and therefore it was never mentioned and we trudged on. Now, we were past the point of no return. The only way to get back was to finish what we started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"<\/a>\n\n\n\n

Sunshine, Scales & Moleskin<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Once the whiteout lifted, the sun came out in full blaze. Touring through snow felt like dragging skis through wet cement. Having skins on was backwards progress as they became soaked and refused to glide. Having my Ultra Vector BC skis<\/a> with the fish scales was a true lifesaver on this journey. Once we passed the North Entrance the park, massive windswept piles rolled intermittently across the road and occasionally exposed the pavement itself. Often times, we took breaks on the road and took full advantage to let our gear dry out and soak up some Vitamin D. Our solace was in removing the boots and letting our feet breathe, followed by changing our bandaging and moleskin. So much moleskin\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n