Next weekend looks interesting...

The weather may have teeth Wednesday, and the snow conditions may be poor (bullet-hard suncups with icy stuff plastered in the hollows). Wind on the snowfield scours new snow fast; small lees hide soft snow. There may also be pow; time will tell.

[tt]MOUNT RAINIER RECREATIONAL FORECAST
                       MON    MON    TUE    TUE    WED 
                            NIGHT         NIGHT       
CAMP MUIR(10188 FT)     31     23     13     18     26
                     SW 70   W 70   W 65   W 60   W 30 [/tt]

If heading up Wednesday (I've been hoping it'll be good to go), my pack would hold googles (sunglasses don't work in driving sleet), crampons, map, compass, and GPS in addition to foul weather gear. If conditions are firm, it may be hard for your buddy to learn to skin.

Pow is coming!

Thx for the update Charlie, I'm really excited, if it's crust and hard I'll be happy too, I love carving that stuff. I'm from Texas so I have no clue what good snow is

I'm going to pack all my Winter weather stuff including parka, gogs, face mask, mittens, etc.. And what better time to learn than on a nice day with bullet snow, modest winds and cold temps. I've Only thing I don't have is a GPS, but I have been on the trail enough to know it from the rocks and rock bands and have the compass sheet too.

Anyways, it beats the hell out of working

Also,

One thing, I'm gonna head up Wednesday regardless. So I'll report back the conditions (Granted my reporting's may really suck as I'm not really sure what 'good' snow is) But I'll tell you if I had fun or survived. I think I may head out this weekend too, but not sure if the GF will give the OK to be gone 2x this week.

Sweet.

A GPS isn't requisite, especially with sufficient caution with respect to whiteouts, but it makes navigation faster and pleasant. After several whiteout trips up and down, I didn't fully believe the story that "people wind up on the Cowlitz/Paradise in a whiteout" until a lucky break in a windy whiteout showed that I was about to step off the wrong side of the Anvil divide. It can be tricky.

I agree with ya! It's supposed to be mostly cloudy so there should be some sun. However, not saying there won't be full clouds or i'll bein the thick of them either. I've been able to get out of a whiteout in sub 0 temps in 80 mph wind on the snow field. Wasn't very fun, and had friends, but we did it.

a GPS is next on my list of things next to a 2 way radio.

I've been able to get out of a whiteout in sub 0 temps in 80 mph wind on the snow field.

Whoops, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. My apologies .