Nippletop/Dix and Gothics TN Slides

[WalksWithBlackflies]

On Saturday, I'm thinking of climbing the Nippletop slide, bushwhacking down the east drainage or ridge, then ascending the Dix slide that parallels the trail coming from Hunters Pass.

Another option is Gothics True North.

Anyone done these slides? Are they slab or rubble? Do you have any pointers about finding the bases or know of any tricky sections?

 

[TCD]

Nippletop slide is pretty easy, some slab, some rubble.

It's easy to find: take the Elk Pass trail as if to climb Nippletop via the trail. At the Beaver Ponds, when the trail turns left and uphill (obvious on the map) continue through Elk Pass to the base of the slide. Enjoy the view of the waterfall off the "back" of Colvin on the way by. At the top of the slide, exit left on a tight herd path to the summit.

Descent of Nippletop toward Dix could be a problem, due to very bad blowdown from Hurricane Floyd in 1999. I have done that descent (in 1995) and it was very thick, swimming, can't see your feet type spruce. Since Floyd, I believe that area is choked with blowdown.

I haven't done true north.

 

[masshysteria]

Rico, True North is a gas!!
The route that Inge gave me was to follow the small brook that crosses the Orebed Brook trail, about .4 miles above the leanto. Follow that brook up, staying on the right hand tributary at the fork. You'll see the north face of Gothics through the trees. Quite a sight. The brook will open up into a wide slide path, stay with that as close as you can get to the base of the north face.
At that point, the right fork of the TN slide is on top of the ridge that is just to the north of where you are. It's not really visible from there, but it is a short whack through the woods on the left to get to it. Don't leave the brook bed too soon to reach the slide, it's thick in there. The farther you can go up the brook to the north face, the easier it will be.
When you reach the slide, it will have a very fluffy moss growing on it, not the slippery kind. Head high birches are also abundant. You'll reach the fork where the main branch of the slide heads off to the north. As you near the top, the North Face of Gothics will become the right side of the slide. It is a very impressive place. The slide will become quite narrow, with the thick scrub to the left, and the NF on the right. There is a large boulder in the middle of the slide that has to be navigated around, it's a little exposed, but doable. After that, a nice walk through the low scrub to the Range trail.
I think the main branch of the slide does end somewhat near Orebed trail. The small brook you follow to the base of Gothics probably drains it. My guess is that instead of taking the right fork of this brook, the left fork will lead to the base of that slide. But I'm only guessing!