April 20, 2008, Granite Mountain
4/20/08
WA Snoqualmie Pass
4047
3
We climbed to the summit of Granite under overcast skis , snow blowing sideways and only 1 other pair of climbers to help us kick trail. That's how Granite should be. We did see a pair of skiers riding the ridge down and throwing around some nice pow. From the lookout the western bowl looked inviting and decided that mostly overcast skis and low temps had kept the snow in good shape. Besides it looked unblemished and beckoning. Well, it turned out just like that. We enjoyed a great run around the western bowl and the snow was in great shape and held up wonderfully. But after reading BWW's tr , I think I'll take the ridge down if I go again soon. Just like the smarter pair before us.
Thanks for the report. That was Mary and me ahead of you. I think she was the "smart" one. I ski cut the steep main slope, then skied it just before the ridge setting off a pretty good sluff behind me (I'm told). Thankfully it didn't step down to the lower crust as happened in some other areas. The snow was amazingly good. We had intended to head for the West Summit, but the visibility and weather changed our minds. Nice to have it clear and be mostly sunny for the run down.
Thanks for the report.
You guys seemed to be having a great time. The snow, in parts, had an almost cotton texture. I thought it would be the same in the bowl but it was a little heavier. The high snowpack this year provided extra branches on the traverse back to the trail and I we had a wee bit o trouble with that. See you on the mountain.
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