Alpental / Snoqualmie Mtn AvControl - Fall 2012

Doesn't Alpental kick off the season opener tomorrow?

Hey All,

Can you give me some background on the uphill touring restrictions at Alpental?  I don't have a lot of history touring this area; there were no signs or restrictions that I was aware of last spring following resort closure.  But I went to explore yesterday AM and there were signs stating no touring when the resort is closed, and spoke briefly to a pro patroller who said roughly the same thing.  So I went to Hyak instead.

I'd like to get the specifics on when and where the touring restrictions are in the area.    There is some great terrain out there, and while I do have a Summit Season Pass, I'd like the chance to get into some of that terrain with a little more solitude (Mondays).

The signs say it all.  No uphill touring during operations (when the signs are up) even outside of operating hours, without checking in with patrol first.

Gib normally posts each year when the signs are going up and coming down.  Just take a look back earlier in this thread.

Ride,

please do a search.
You will find other threads started by Gib, or posts that he has made in other peoples threads on the subject.

Basically it amounts to this (short of Gib posting here with the official version):
Once the Alpental is in operation for the season and control work is actively being performed on the mountain, uphill traffic is only allowed after you have checked in, provided that control work is complete or there is no current hazard. This is a 24-7 rule that applies to all terrain within their permit area, from the beginning of the season, to the end.

The big concern as I understand it, is unauthorized skiers on the mountain while the patrol is performing control work. There isn't a lot of terrain at Alpental that isn't a run out zone. People who tour while the patrol is trying to get their work done, put them selves and in some cases, the patrol at considerable risk. Also unauthorized people on the mountain means that control work will likely be delayed, which leads to a delayed opening.

Thanks guys. I just had to piece together from this thread what wasn't on the physical signs - that the closure does not apply to PCT or Snow Lake Trail; that the signage/closures come down seasonally (why I didn't notice it in spring); and that patrol may grant exceptions to the uphill travel restriction based on conditions and activity if you check in first.