Early Feb Backcountry Condition Report NE Cascades

www.ncmountainguides.com/2013/02/09/back...ort-february-8-2013/

Counted 17 snowmachines, 1 yo-yo Heli and 5 skier triggered 5" slab releases in the hairpin valley! All your free advertising seems to have raised the hazard rateing in this area!

If you can get past the endless chatter about NTN and binding mount locations over at TelemarkTips.com, you'll find a wide range of regional conditions reports.  I tend to like the format ~ the first person to ski in the area for the season gets to start the thread, then everybody else piles on with condition info as the season progresses ~ mini tr's, if you will.  Kinda usefull to have local, running commentary in one place.  Agreed, though, that simply linking to an outside website misses the sweet spot..

Thanks Jeff. Heading out that way next week to add to the numbers. Hope the area can handle the volume. Be sure to post again soon.

Counted 17 snowmachines, 1 yo-yo Heli and 5 skier triggered 5" slab releases in the hairpin valley! All your free advertising seems to have raised the hazard rateing in this area!

I usually try to avoid responding to negative posts but I just couldn't hold my tongue on this one.  It is a little strange that everyone ended up in the Hairpin that day.  That might even be a record, but I think it's a bit of an oversell to blame it all on my conditions reports, and to imply that I'm increasing the hazard is offensive. 

If you think the snowpack observations are inaccurate please let me know.  Everyone could benefit from that.  I've been spending a lot of time in the terrain lately and think I have a good handle on what is going on but any additional information would be much appreciated.  5 skier triggered avalanches in one day in that valley is a bit of a surprise.  It would be nice to know a little more about them. 

Right now the people-to-powder ratio is pretty low, as it usually is in this area.  With the way conditions are (good skiing, easy snowmobiling, and relatively good stability) a lack of terrain is not the issue - maybe a lack of creativity but definitely not terrain. 

I understand the desire to want things to stay the way they have always been in terms of the amount of backcountry skiers in the area, but backcountry skiing is getting popular everywhere not just here and I doubt I've had much to do about that increase in popularity.  Just be glad you live in such a quiet valley that is a long ways away from any major population center.  I'm sure there is going to be plenty of untracked snow for you and even some left over for the very few people that make the long trek to visit this special place. 

Respectfully,
Jeff

Thanks Jeff.  I am sorry that you have to continually put up with someone espousing their agenda in such a negative fashion.  Snarkie comments have never been a part of the TAY community and hopefully Skier X can moderate his comments in the future.
It is ridiculous to accuse someone of increasing the volume of skiers in an area just by posting condition reports.