New to area...where to begin!?

Greetings.

I'll be relocating to the Seattle area in just over two weeks from the East coast. 

-What are a few good (read: welcoming and moderate for a new AT skier) areas to check out within about 2 hours of Seattle.


Thanks so much for any advice...cheers!

Morgan

I'd start with this book .

Take this class or an equivalent (worth doing even if you've done a similar one in a different region - you'll get specifics about our snowpack that differ quite a bit from what they'll talk about in an equivalent class in, say, CO.

The Mountaineers (WA's version of the AMC) have their own set of classes, ranging from basic skills through things like roped skiing on glaciers. They (and another ski tour club - somethign like the WA Ski Touring Club I'm forgetting the exact name but remember hearing they formed at least partly in response to the Mountaineers' "no alcohol on club trips" policy) run various outings during the season - that and hooking up with folks on the partners board here are good ways to start networking for partners.

I don't have any good tips on used gear beyond the "for sale" board on this site (can always put a "gear wanted" post there...). You could use the Alpine Trekker and some climbing skins with your alpine gear, but from what I've heard that will not be the most fun setup to climb with.

Good luck with the move, and have fun (and be safe!) out here.

In addition to the "yard sale" forum here, there's also a good one on:
www.cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/cfrm

Also, this store buys/sells used gear:
www.secondascent.com/

Also, these stores...
www.marmotmountain.com/
...don't buy used stuff, but they do have a used/clearance section with demo/rental gear, plus employee sales, plus great deals  on clearance items sometimes.


Re. classes, I'm taking this one right now, and highly recommend it:
www.foothillsmountaineers.org/winter/skimount.html
of course, you wouldn't be able to start till next winter.

I took these (randonee) thru them last winter, and would NOT recommend them:
www.foothillsmountaineers.org/winter/tele.html

Good luck

backcountry skiing skills:
i've gotten by well with a class from the WAC ($80 + membership), and an avalanche class taught by gary brill (see the thread lower down about his free ones coming up in january)

equipment:
AT equipment will make the learning curve a lot more pleasant than telemark.
i second the second ascent suggestion. regarding forums, also check the cascadeclimbers and telemarktips.com (they do have some AT gear).

where to go:
i found burgdorfer's book very useful.
the best easy tour based on what you're saying would be the muir snowfield, but unfortunately not an option this year. touring around table mountain just off the baker ski area has good terrain, but you must be able to assess avalanche danger. skyline ridge (or heather ridge) at stevens pass would also be good, and as it is quite popular, you would most likely be able to follow someone else's track.
these are all options for winter. spring skiing is a different ballgame, with lots more choices.

Read the NWAC weather and avy pages regularly, it gets you thinking the right way for out here.
Get a sub to Couloir Magazine, or Backcountry.
Burgdorfer is good; also try Seabury Blair's "Backcountry Ski! Washington" for other tours, many shorter than in Burgdorfer.