Alpental 11/23/2010

Blessed are the snow creatures.  Last day today for the fall hiking season at Alp and soft loose snow is the theme.  The Patrol will start moving around the mountain tomorrow and setting up the trams so the winter policy kicks in first thing tomorrow morning.  That means no uphill traffic unless we're open for business and you check in with patrol dispatch to ensure coordination of closures and hazard reduction.  We'll make our best attempt to do some control work on Thursday morning before Mother spreads some heavier stuff on top of the fluff.  If everything falls into place with our Thanksgiving we'll start Friday setting up the hill for an opening as soon as the coverage allows.  I've spoken with many of the regulars this morning and I must say we are all mostly on the same page these days. SO... SINCERE THANKS to this forum and to the BC community for helping and allowing us to open this place as safely as possible. All the best for a memorable winter and Holiday wishes to all.  Gib

Thanks for the update . All your hard prep work helps to keep TAY readers safe .
Best Regards .

so the winter policy kicks in first thing tomorrow morning.  That means no uphill traffic unless we're open for business and you check in with patrol dispatch to ensure coordination of closures and hazard reduction. 

Because I am such a newbie, Mr. Gib? Can you please tell me, what IS the policy? I mean, I understand that you don't want uphill traffic within the Ski Area Boundary but, what is the policy concerning accessing and touring in the public land known as the Alpental Back Country?
Also, can we park in Lot3 now as per the winter policy?
Sorry to be a pain, I appreciate your handling of the (ski area) and the much needed disclosures!
Billy

Snow always answers the what's and the why's. Schluctism

Because I am such a newbie, Mr. Gib? Can you please tell me, what IS the policy?

Snow always answers the what's and the why's. Schluctism

As a shclutist, shouldn't you be asking the snow? Surely you have no use for the answers of mere men.

Gib is not a mere man. He is an Alpenancestor and is named in the Source Lake Tablets as the caretaker of the ribbon and the rope among other things.
He has been given a tree and a ramp in exchange for this service.


Snow is very good at observing absolutely nothing. Schluctism

As far as policy, I'll take a current stab but even we at the area struggle a little due to continual evolution and Forest service interaction.  Early season before we start travelling around the slopes we do allow free access with the caveat that there is still the possibility that we will be working at the area and moving equipment around and also using the lifts.  That means some heads-up play by the hikers and climbers regarding keeping away from the facilities and out of the way in case the lift should move without warning. Also since no hazard reduction work has been done yet the mountain is still the same as the rest of the "true" backcountry. There have been some very sad avalanche accidents in what would normally be inbounds terrain in those weeks before the winter crews arrive. One of the reasons pre-season touring is popular in established resorts is for the smoother slopes with some vegetation control.  Many folks also perceive them as inherently safer which is just not the case until skier compaction and hazard mitigation efforts commence. Once we start skiing around and evaluating the slopes, setting up our trams and generally moving towards operations we need to reclaim the mountain in order to maximize our own team safety and minimize the possibility of triggering a slide which could affect an unsuspecting traveler.  We will also start explosive control work for that hazard reduction whenever conditions dictate.  This may even be a week or more ahead of our actual first day open if there is a need.  We of course try to lower hazard to the setup crews but we may also being trying to affect early season weak layers so they don't pose a greater problem later on.  So...  when we pick that date, we post our winter signs and the in-season policy begins.  From that day until we remove the signs in the spring there is no uphill travel allowed in the ski area permit boundary unless the area is open for customers and you make contact with our patrol dispatch prior to the ascent.  The dispatch can pass on some info on what has been going on with the snow lately and will either approve your travel plan for the day or suggest an alternative which better fits into our area operations.  Too many variables, and conditions change too quickly to predict in advance what will be allowed on any given day but we'll work with you to try and let you achieve something you're after.  Bottom line is that the Forest Service puts us on the hook for guest and staff safety and we have to manage as best we can so this is the agreed on winter policy until further notice. That means no dawn patrol or midnight laps, we’ve had too many close calls and aborted control when there are unknown users out and about. Those events are exactly what drive the need for strict guidelines. When we're done with operations in the spring we will pull the signs and give it back with the same notes previous mentioned for early season.  Signs are a necessary evil I suppose so perhaps if anyone thinks it would be helpful we could also make some to verify those pre and post season conditions. These somewhat stricter policies only apply to the Alpental Special Use areas, basically the inbounds resort and the area known as the Alpental Backcountry which extends to the far side of Draft Dodger Ridge, almost to Great Scott. That means as long as you avoid the downhill traffic lanes in the valley bottom (still in the use permit) we will not try to stop you from any tour up the South Fork drainage, Chair Peak, the Tooth, Snoqualmie Mountain and various vicinities.  There is a bit of a crux near Mushroom Couloir where most parties stay to the southwest (Alpental) side of the valley to avoid a small cliffband and waterfall.  At that point you are exposing yourself to resort triggered slides and this is the site of a snowshoer fatality not too many years past. We've looked at an alternate uphill route around to the opposite side of the valley but doubt anyone would follow it even if we did the work to establish it.  Mostly with some good group dynamics you should only have yourselves, the snow conditions, and other winter parties to worry about. Not to continue too long winded here but we will also need to very occasionally shoot Snoqualmie Mountain's southwest slopes with artillery in extreme conditions.  I won't go on about that right now because some other resources will come into play and I'll do a separate posting on that in a month or so as the snowpack builds. As far as Lot 3 goes; if following the above guidelines, it would be better to have vehicles left up near the end of Lot 4 so we can be more confidant that travelers are truly outside the permit Area and not cluelessly closer in.  Please don’t drive and park beyond any signs asking you not to. Thanks for listening - G