Missing snowboarders last winter???

I'm interested in helping Saturday. I won't know for sure if I can go until my wife returns from a business trip Friday afternoon. I can drive or carpool and live in north Seattle (Maple Leaf).

I could get myself to a more accessible location on Saturday morning if need be.

I'll bring three radios, and if I can get it to wake up and find some satellites, a gps.

Zack

Just got a report from Joedebaker who hiked up to the Bullion Saddle and went down the slope part ways today. Tremendous effort Joe andthanks. Joe will post a report and pictures but what I wanted to point out to participants is that based upon Joe's report, the snow cover is minimal on the East face and although there may be a way to ski down it looks like it's going to be more of a hiking effort than skis or boards , which is good news for the search effort.

Based upon Joe's report I am still going to bring my skis but leave them up at the top for a possible run at day's end but am going to wear mountaineering boots rather than ski boots for the hike and carry my ski boots attached to my skis. Lowell Skoog was kind enough to contact me and suggest that based upon these conditins, this would be the best footwear as the vegetated slopes we will be hiking on are slippery for sneakers.

Use your own judgement based upon Joe's report which will be posted shortly.

Thanks
Scotty.

Wow, great job Joe -- thanks. Glad to hear there's so little snow cover. Definitely increases our chances in the immediate future. The north end group is meeting at the 65th Street park and ride at 5 a.m.

As Scotty mentioned I took a trip out to the Union Creek. I went up from Crystal to to the Union Creek location where I last saw those guys.
The trail has patches of snow up to Bullion Basin where it is mostly snow covered in the basin.
There was a little scramble and snow covered slope to the saddle over to Union.
I was not prepared, I had sneakers and borrowed some poles and a really old pack that had to tie the waist band. I was just driving by OK.

Anyway, The snow on the East flanks that Dave's map shows "likely areas" is mostly patchy, there are spots where wind load or slides have accumulation up to 3 feet deep, but mostly shallow in the sun.
I traversed NE under rock cliffs from the last seen location looking up and down hill, going off trail down into some of the avalanche terrain, The terrain is steep, but other than the scree areas it can be managed to down climb. But it is strenuous and a little hard on my old knees. I did not go too deep down to limit knee pain.

So East faces are patchy and steep,
Moving to Crown Point and over to Gold Hill there is still ample snow NE and N slopes down to the basin.
Down in the basin there appears to be good melt on the Eastern end and as you go South to the North facing slopes the snow pack is deeper. In the basin at the "likely areas" would be good searching. There seems to be ample water in the basin, to avoid having to bring to much water.
If you plan to bring skis, I can direct that route to the hut and basin route.
We need to discus the plan tomorrow.

We may be able to use the Gold Hills road near SandFlats to access the trail, I am uncertain if the road is snow, rock, washout and tree free yet. But there is ample parking at the trailhead from the road.

I have a webpage to look at photos of today UNION CREEK RECOVERY . There is Dave's map indications of last seen spot and there route form there. Also, where the hut may be and potential ski routes to access the area in the basin.
See you in the morning.
Joe

I want each and everyone who searched for my son Devlin how appreciative I am and you are all angels to me. I know how hard it must have been and very much appreciate all your efforts. I want you to know that Devlin is Irish galec meaning man of the mountains. I am planning to take him back up to his cathederal. Much love and respect to all. I am sooooo proud of each and everyone. As far as I am concerned you are all my children and Iwill pray everyday for all your safety. Once a mother always a mother