December 13, 2003, Stevens Pass
12/13/03
WA Stevens Pass
2391
1
On a logging road east of the pass, we found 2' of powder atop a firm base, tough trailbreaking for a twosome. We yoyo'd a clearcut between 5000 and 4400' with the powder blowing up in our faces all the way down. Skiing back down the road was as hard as it was up, since our track was nearly covered by the foot of new snow that fell during the day. The snow was free of wind effect.
Met a family from Guam when we returned to our car, otherwise nobody else. They had come up to see snow for the first time in their lives, picked a good day for it.
Met a family from Guam when we returned to our car, otherwise nobody else. They had come up to see snow for the first time in their lives, picked a good day for it.
I was up there, too. Yo-yoing the slope right above the road was the best. I went up past Skyline Lake and dropped into a N-facing valley -- bad choice. It was "submarine snow" and I climbed back out sinking in to my knees -- very arduous, and I generally like breaking trail. I made a Rutschblock test on a 30 degree N-facing slope at about 5100 ft and it gave me a "1". I thereafter stuck to 20 degree slopes.
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