Freshiez!

I was up at Big 4 mtn today, doing some ice climbing, and there was snow down to approximately 5k on the mountain! Winter's on the way!

The NWAC telemetry is suggesting that Paradise and upper Crystal got snow, and I saw snow on Spiral Butte on the White Pass weather cam. Unfortunately, the forecast for next week is not looking especially cold, so this new snow may still not be the beginning of the snowpack?

Columbus Day weekend is the beginning of my ski season more often than not. My reading of the telemetry for the past few days suggests at least one to two feet of snow above 7000 feet in the north, 8000 feet around Rainier, with snowline dipping below 5000 feet yesterday morning. Just enough snow, in other words, to fill in the suncups and runnels on whatever permanent snowfields withstood this summer's heat, and to turn the whole world smooth and gleaming white. Unfortunately, there'll also be the usual issue of early season snowbridges on the glaciers. <br><br>I'm trying to decide whether to keep risking life and limb riding my bike on steep, slippery roots, mudholes and loose gravel (now covered with freshly-fallen leaves),...or to give it up in favor of skiiing uncertain terrain in low visibility on inadequate snow. I'm sure if the weather clears on Sunday that'll help make my decision for me. <br><br>Enjoy,<br><br>Mark

Paul - Big 4 Ice climbing? c'mon....I've heard they've become quite depleted (especially thru this summer's dry heat). Are you sure you weren't like a tourist running around in your sandals in shock that you haven't seen snow for almost an entire year <br><br>P.S. I had an employee at the Seattle REI ski department tell me that you've got to go to South America to ski right now because there's NO snow in Washington! ???

Paul - Big 4 Ice climbing?  c'mon....I've heard they've become quite depleted (especially thru this summer's dry heat).  Are you sure you weren't like a tourist running around in your sandals in shock that you haven't seen snow for almost an entire year  <br><br>P.S.  I had an employee at the Seattle REI ski department tell me that you've got to go to South America to ski right now because there's NO snow in Washington!  ???

<br>The caves were pathetic compared to last year, but we got soaked nonetheless. Rained all day. Definitely 'fun'. <br><br>The guy at REI was definitely right...there's NO snow ANYWHERE in WA right now...everyone please stay off of Baker this weekend. <br><br>Dave, you wanna go skiing? <br>

MArkhof,<br>What agony. Ive got one last mt bike ride planned for Sunday morn (10 /11 up in Devil's gulch at Mission ridge. Snow levels in Grand park MRNP would be just right for a hike in XC tour. Also might be a few grassy glades with enough cover up at Chinook. Decision time Is a injury on wet rocks and roots worse than gettiing a ski caught under a submerged branch? You make the call!<br>Robie