April 1 Tatoosh MRNP
4/15/08
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2366
5
Thanks to a closed gate over the weekend and a trio of kind skiers setting a skin track the day before, my buddy and I enjoyed the best of both worlds on our way into the Tatoosh yesterday, an established skin track and tons of untouched powder.
We followed the track on Stevens Canyon Road to the lake and up to the Castle. We saw only one other person (a split boarded named Dave) in the range all day and only Amar and company's tracks over on Castle so we felt like we had the place all to ourselves. We first skied about 800vf of fine quality corn down the south side of Pinnacle. We followed that with 1150vf of quality powder skiing from Plummer Peak west down to Cliff Lake. We then climbed up the western flank of Denman and descended to the Lane-Denman saddle and down the Lane Chute in excellent powder conditions all the way to Tatoosh Creek for another 1500vf. Beautiful blue skies, moderate temps, very light winds, and a rare combination of quality corn and powder made for an epic day.
Stability seemed good on everything that we skied but the sun exposed aspects will become increasingly suspect for wet slides as this sunny warm trend continues. Falling cornices and tree bombs seemed to be the most threatening hazards that we witnessed. North and some westerly aspects were holding some very nice powder but not likely for much longer; spring may spring afterall.
We followed the track on Stevens Canyon Road to the lake and up to the Castle. We saw only one other person (a split boarded named Dave) in the range all day and only Amar and company's tracks over on Castle so we felt like we had the place all to ourselves. We first skied about 800vf of fine quality corn down the south side of Pinnacle. We followed that with 1150vf of quality powder skiing from Plummer Peak west down to Cliff Lake. We then climbed up the western flank of Denman and descended to the Lane-Denman saddle and down the Lane Chute in excellent powder conditions all the way to Tatoosh Creek for another 1500vf. Beautiful blue skies, moderate temps, very light winds, and a rare combination of quality corn and powder made for an epic day.
Stability seemed good on everything that we skied but the sun exposed aspects will become increasingly suspect for wet slides as this sunny warm trend continues. Falling cornices and tree bombs seemed to be the most threatening hazards that we witnessed. North and some westerly aspects were holding some very nice powder but not likely for much longer; spring may spring afterall.
Oooooo, that sounds luscious! Thanks for the invite. Where's the love? ::) After being on lock down for hi avy danger for so much of the winter, it's great to see so many people out harvesting the goods. Keep slayin' it, brother man! 8)
My buddy & I skinned up to muir on April one. two other skiers had about a 2 hour head start. all of us used the RMI snow shoe track from monday. that group spent 9 hours hiking to Muir.
three feet of powder- no wind- sun burn and hela turns
three feet of powder- no wind- sun burn and hela turns
Went up Tatoosh today as well and know we made the best call. Was a perfect day and the North facing slopes still held powder, even in the sun 8). Bluebird, warm, and great riding all the way down to Reflection Lk. Thanks to all who laid in the track the last couple of days; off trail still deep, esp. below the trees. The only crust was in the morning going up the Narada face and by afternoon had turned nice and soft. Fun, Fun, Fun ;D.
Is this area in the Park? Or could we take dogs here?
In da park
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