April 8, 2006, Bundy and Mazama Ridge, MRNP
4/8/06
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
3510
6
Wet slide birthday tour
To celebrate Laras birthday Lara, Derek, Snoslut, Eli, and I headed to Rainier. Earlier plans for a more exotic location were thwarted by the forecast. It was raining when we left Seattle; it was pouring as we entered the park. A few miles above Longmire, we wondered why the car that had been just in front of us was now heading back down. Our question was answered as we pulled up to the wet slide avalanche that covered the road.
Thankfully no one was hurt and luckily Snoslut and Eli were on our side of the slide. We chatted about the delay, alternative plans, and the bureaucracy of the parks system to clear a small-ish slide: before the plow, the roto-tiller looking machine. Before the plow, the tractor to remove the rock debris. Within an hour or so the road was clear and we proceeded as planned.
We skinned from the car (and all the way back to the car!) on a few inches of wet and heavy new snow. It was snowing heavily and visibility was challenging so we headed towards Mazama to seek the trees. As Snoslut broke trail the snow cracked with regular steps. Eli dug a pit above the Bundy line and confirmed a stable snow pack. However, as we prepared to drop in we noticed the wet slide that Eli had set off digging the pit in the first place. With only two inches sloughing slowly and being Laras birthday, we offered her what we decided were safe first tracks. She intentionally cut the slab with her sweeping traverse and the rest of us descended skiers right through a few trees. Snoslut claimed the snow was like butter for a boarder. This tele-woman found it mighty heavy mashed potatoes. We skied to the road and noticed a few other small wet slides on steeper terrain nearby.
We then climbed back up the Mazama Ridge for a second course of the heavily buttered mashed spuds. Here, breaking trail did not reveal cracks. Even with a bit of shifting wind, we enjoyed the manky meal. As we climbed out on the road precipitation was noticeably wetter, perhaps wed call it a spring rain.
Weather doesnt rain on our parade. We celebrated the mini tour and Laras birthday with some drinks and guacamole at the Mexican restaurant in Eatonville. Thanks to Charles and the new software for the ability to post photos directly to the site and cut and paste without *%&^& apostrophe problems. Stay safe out there!
To celebrate Laras birthday Lara, Derek, Snoslut, Eli, and I headed to Rainier. Earlier plans for a more exotic location were thwarted by the forecast. It was raining when we left Seattle; it was pouring as we entered the park. A few miles above Longmire, we wondered why the car that had been just in front of us was now heading back down. Our question was answered as we pulled up to the wet slide avalanche that covered the road.
Thankfully no one was hurt and luckily Snoslut and Eli were on our side of the slide. We chatted about the delay, alternative plans, and the bureaucracy of the parks system to clear a small-ish slide: before the plow, the roto-tiller looking machine. Before the plow, the tractor to remove the rock debris. Within an hour or so the road was clear and we proceeded as planned.
We skinned from the car (and all the way back to the car!) on a few inches of wet and heavy new snow. It was snowing heavily and visibility was challenging so we headed towards Mazama to seek the trees. As Snoslut broke trail the snow cracked with regular steps. Eli dug a pit above the Bundy line and confirmed a stable snow pack. However, as we prepared to drop in we noticed the wet slide that Eli had set off digging the pit in the first place. With only two inches sloughing slowly and being Laras birthday, we offered her what we decided were safe first tracks. She intentionally cut the slab with her sweeping traverse and the rest of us descended skiers right through a few trees. Snoslut claimed the snow was like butter for a boarder. This tele-woman found it mighty heavy mashed potatoes. We skied to the road and noticed a few other small wet slides on steeper terrain nearby.
We then climbed back up the Mazama Ridge for a second course of the heavily buttered mashed spuds. Here, breaking trail did not reveal cracks. Even with a bit of shifting wind, we enjoyed the manky meal. As we climbed out on the road precipitation was noticeably wetter, perhaps wed call it a spring rain.
Weather doesnt rain on our parade. We celebrated the mini tour and Laras birthday with some drinks and guacamole at the Mexican restaurant in Eatonville. Thanks to Charles and the new software for the ability to post photos directly to the site and cut and paste without *%&^& apostrophe problems. Stay safe out there!
The four of you could probably have dug through that slide with avy shovels in less time than that, Jessica! Nice collage, too.
Happy Birthday, Lara!
Happy Birthday, Lara!
Nice report, Jessica. Thanks.
and yeah, nice collage.
and yeah, nice collage.
Not clear where the slide was that blocked you. But last Sat. I did Nordic Patrol and the stretch uphill from the Nisqually bridge had blocking avalanches repeatedly. That stretch is just prone to slide. I doubt if it's a matter of bureacracy that slowed the crew in clearing the slide. They are kept very busy this time of year with all the wet snow sloughs and rockfalls. It's a matter of competing priorities.
Cool photo collage, Jess!
Lara: Happy B-day!
Lara: Happy B-day!
author=gregL link=topic=4472.msg19069#msg19069 date=1144565673]
The four of you could probably have dug through that slide with avy shovels in less time than that, Jessica! Nice collage, too.
Greg, we actually started digging out the high center. With a shovel in hand, I actually thought about putting on my peeps. That's also about when rangers asked us to clear out and back the car up.
Skipole, the slide was well before the Nisqually bridge, and park staff were actually timely and curteous. We were just itching to ski. :)
Jessica, thanx for taking the pics and writing the tr! Was a bit bummed to see things slide so easily, but regardless our group made the best it. At times lighting was flat but the snow was creamy, non-sticking and carved. Another quick fact: we spent half the time we toured at the mexican eatery. ;D
Reply to this TR
Please login first: