April 9, 2011, Snoqualmie Pass
4/9/11
WA Snoqualmie Pass
3581
1
Saturday looked like the better weather day, but we headed out with low expectations for snow quality. A long flat skin got us to the base of our intended, but only the apron and the lower half of the n-facing couloir had slid. With a broken cornice on top and sunny warmth on the way, we moseyed upvalley instead. Above ~4k, the warming crust disappeared, leaving uncrusted heavy pow in the shade. A serendipitous track led us, across firm windraked snow (boots/ski crampons useful) to a suddenly sunny summit, which we traversed, then closed the long loop back to the car on surprisingly good snow. Surprisingly good day, given the expectations.
Fun, but heavy, snow on the high and shady. Saw that a recent car-sized cornice drop of ~150' onto 35+ degree NE slope at 5k produced only divots and sluff. Below 4k, ski penetration to 6", pole penetration to the handle seemed the norm. Hello April.
Fun, but heavy, snow on the high and shady. Saw that a recent car-sized cornice drop of ~150' onto 35+ degree NE slope at 5k produced only divots and sluff. Below 4k, ski penetration to 6", pole penetration to the handle seemed the norm. Hello April.
