3/01/08 Alpental, Wa powder

I went out into the back-country for the 1st time near Alpental. I never knew that there was such a plethora of challenging terrain with safe and easy access. SKied until my legs failed. I learned that catching air is easier when your in you're 20's and harder when you're appraoching 40. Stayed for the Alpental Bark Party and Buffet, awesome. Ripped some turned in bounds while "SOUL STRIPPER" jammed some authentic AC/DC cover tunes. I'm interested in doing a spring combo tour: Skin in to "The Tooth" for rock climbing, and then ski around in the basins adjacent. What a great area.
cheers,

Phrihealer

Photos soon!

Sunday was pretty great, too. It'a pretty amazing what four inches of fresh looks like in the Alpental BC. I had the pleasure of following the patroller that pulled the rope on Knoll 1 gate in the morning ... there's nothing like tracking up a foot of powder in the sunshine, especially after three weeks of no snow.

Tuesday was more than decent. I did not get going on the hill until 11:45 due to work, etc. I think the coverage and depth rivals that of the last big snow year 7-8 years ago. The sun came out intermittently and the views were great. A short hike skiier's right from the top of the Armstrong lift led to 4-5 linked untracked turns, heading down to the base, even at 5 PM. Crowds were very light on chair 2 after about noon, usually ski up. All is all great exercise and nice to get out.

Did they ever open Snake Dance or the BC yesterday? We skied the morning, which was awesome, but left when it tracked out and looked like the BC was going to stay closed.

Did they ever open Snake Dance or the BC yesterday? We skied the morning, which was awesome, but left when it tracked out and looked like the BC was going to stay closed.

Yep both a little after noon...the "Knoll 1" gate was opened per the sign at the top of chair 2. People were tracking in on the "highest possible traverse" from upper Int'l. I am not enough of the expert to know if this highest traverse = Knoll 1. There was a sign up saying stay out of rockface due to slide potential, again sorry I don't know exactly where this is.

Just what I did not want to hear. Sounds like it opened a half hour after we bailed to maintain the illusion that we are productive members of society.