Alpental Season 08_09

Always a touchy subject, but the time has come to stop using the Alp for touring this season. We are rolling out to get open and that means avalanche control, ski testing, ski cutting, grooming and all the rest. If the weather allows, we will start blasting Monday morning Dec 22nd.
It would be easy if everyone was on the same schedule and we could just advise when control work is imminent but as everyone here knows conditions change very fast.  Hazard can arise without precipitation, wind events, marginal quantities of new, and dozens of tough to predict events, like cornice control. Ski tours often start earlier than a patrol day shift and then you certainly have the potential for one of us to endanger the other. I know the slopes are more attractive then the surrounding countryside this time of year, primarily due to brushcutting and slope grooming, let alone the sometimes perceived increased stability in an regularly controlled area. The Forest Service permit to operate is considered non-exclusive, but it does allow the closure of access to terrain for the above circumstances.  Seems pointless to argue endlessly, just let it be stated clearly that the goal here is for no one to be in the position of causing grief to another. I imagine myself a part of the backcountry user community and if a resort asked this consideration of me so that they could minimise the chance of killing me, I can certainly say I would comply.  This issue is heating up nationwide, especially with artillery programs.  We are working on a way to communicate better in the areas that are less regularly affected by active control, like Snoqualmie Mountain, so that the more "true" backcountry zones are not closed all the time. Not to say that it won't be shot once or twice a season as conditions dictate, but done in a manner that users do get a chance to get pertinent information if they are touring into an area that is an avalanche control zone.  Look for a new web-site this season to work on the above communication problem and a snow phone specific for Snoqualmie Mountain to get the current scoop on control plans. I know even with USFS support and all the signs in the world, we can not force everyone to comply, but I'll sure feel better later by doing my best to inform.  Thanks for listening, lets have a safe winter for everyone.

Thanks, Gib. Moscawulff and I were up there on Dawn Patrol, Friday and met Bram, one of Alpental's personell. He mentioned the same concerns. You're absolutely right about the reasons we chose to head up there rather than some other wilder place; ie less brush, familiar terrain, proximity, time constraints.

It sure is convenient to tour at Alpental, but I for one understand the need to control and consolidate the the snow there. If you do set up a new website, seems like posting a link on the Alpental site, here, and maybe the NWAC site to direct us there would be a good idea.

Have a good season!

A Snoqualmie Mtn. control snow phone would be fabulous. Getting shelled is very low on my list of fun things to do. Thanks again for your annual message! There are a lot of places to ski that aren't on Alpental's groomed/slackcountry slopes.

A good line to call and see where's safe to ski is a great idea. That entire area has great cellphone coverage, so why not?

Thanks for the heads up, Gib. Bram was doing a good job of spreading the word today as well, and we had a nice conversation. TAY is the perfect place to reach the vast majority of people who would consider skinning up Alpental! BTW, our final skin of the season up the ski area was well worth it . . .

Props to Gib, first line says it all: "...touchy subject ...for this season". End of season and pre-opening is still fair game, GB America. What are the other options? I for one am waiting for the Hyak to come in for the dawn patrols. Also, perhaps the other side of the Alpy valley, nothing like a Slot for breakie. Maybe even Pineapple pass or Chair?
Good stuff all around and still back to cubicle hell by 10 AM.