Apr 13, 2014, Snoqualpental

It is, without a doubt, spring in the Cascades. Spent the morning lapping Silver Fir beneath cloudless skies. Temps were perfect for a sweatshirt and snowpants until just after noon when the mercury began to climb in earnest. Changed into boardshorts and a button-up shirt over lunch then headed up the highway to Alpental for some afternoon fun in the sun. The fresh gravel on the bridge below Armstrong was a welcome change and the usually soupy parking lots were surprisingly dry. Snagged a parking spot right at the front of lot 2 as the morning's ski race ended and headed up top to take in the view and check on the conditions. As suspected, sun-kissed aspects offered superb spring corn and the bumps were manageable in size. After a hairy run down the Fan, we migrated to the lower mountain where sidehits abounded. After five laps off the Traverse, the legs were cooked and we retreated to the car for some off-snow training for Cinco.

Spring meltdown:


Lots of Vitamin R for the taking today:

bell to bell for us today in every condition except new. keep your skis on when traveling the right side of nash.
bc was ok but the waterfall traverse is extra sporty, opted for the classic low route around knoll 1.
the snow banks surrounding the parking lots are disgusting but still less dog shit then previous spring melts.
bF

less dog shit then previous spring melts.

probably due to the shortened season of accumulation

waaaay smaller congregation of weekenders letting em roam free this season.
usual suspects still dropping loads near their special spots, just seemed to be less hippies day camping.
b