December 15, 2002, Mazama Bowl MRNP
12/15/02
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
4591
10
WooHoooo, we lucked out again! ;D Gate at Longmire opened promptly at 9:00 a.m. 30 degrees at Paradise Parking Lot with some light to moderate winds, and snowing. We were one of about 6 cars in the lot. Decided to head to Mazama since there had been approx 4 to 6 inches of new snow deposited overnight. Headed down the lower Paradise road to the cut off, skinned up and headed towards the Mazama Ridge. Snow on the west facing slopes was deep and unsettled, and slow going until we hooked up with some snowshoe tracks to the top. From there it was the two of us for the rest of the day. The bowl was fantastic and not one track! There was 4 to 6 inches of new snow over a 2 to 5 inch wet layer, that had almost but not quite frozen from the night before, and then about a foot of unsettled under that. We had our way with the bowl for several laps, skiing our hearts out. Snow in the bottom of the bowl was approx 4 feet deep. Got a chance for both us us to try out the new boards. Ron on his new "fatties" and me on "BD Crossbows". Wow those BD skis turn on a dime and politely give you nice cents change back. It was a great day in the bowl. Gotta tell ya a little story about the BD Crossbows, went to the local casino, put ten dollars in the nickel machine, won $800+ went to the ski shop that next week and bought those Crossbows, not bad for ten dollar investment ;D
BTW, it was snowing pretty hard when we got back to the car at 3:30.
Should have some pictures up shortly.
Happy Trails 8)
BTW, it was snowing pretty hard when we got back to the car at 3:30.
Should have some pictures up shortly.
Happy Trails 8)
Good report Mad_Dog - thanks for the details about the snowpack. After reading your last few reports, I'm thinking I should start following you two around so I will be in good snow. Looking forward to the photos!
Ron has been having trouble posting a reply on this thread, and asked me to add this bit containing photo links:
"She's not lyin'. Skiing was great. Here's the proof:
The rest of the pictures are at Wild Hearts."
Ron has recently had a similar problem - clicking the reply button starts the reply page loading, but it never finishes. This board is still relatively untested in my hands, and so if people encounter this or any other problem, I'd really appreciate hearing about it. I can be contacted via the built-in instant messaging, or by e-mail at tay@turns-all-year.
Charles
"She's not lyin'. Skiing was great. Here's the proof:
The rest of the pictures are at Wild Hearts."
Ron has recently had a similar problem - clicking the reply button starts the reply page loading, but it never finishes. This board is still relatively untested in my hands, and so if people encounter this or any other problem, I'd really appreciate hearing about it. I can be contacted via the built-in instant messaging, or by e-mail at tay@turns-all-year.
Charles
I wanted to go there but my partner said it would probably be a "gait wait" kind of day. Glad to hear you nailed it.
Charles it would be nice to ski with you again, you could even leave a couple of hours later than us and still catch up ;D
Thanks Nick, we did get it nailed just right once again, and it was great.
Thanks Nick, we did get it nailed just right once again, and it was great.
Curses! And Dorothea was trying to get me to change to Sunday.Did the Christmas thing.
AHHHHGGGG...... Nice snow while I was at home. Good report to see as it allows hope to develop and a seed of a thought to say to the Mrs........ honey on Friday I was thinking........ 8)
Thanks for the report Robie
CW
Thanks for the report Robie
CW
Hmmmm....
So now today I can get the reply page to come up... what's up with that?
Well, Nick, Charles E, Charles W, Robie, Et Al, the way the forecast is shaping up so far, you guys may very well have your pick of good days this next weekend. I vote for great skiing for both Sat and Sunday 8).
So now today I can get the reply page to come up... what's up with that?
Well, Nick, Charles E, Charles W, Robie, Et Al, the way the forecast is shaping up so far, you guys may very well have your pick of good days this next weekend. I vote for great skiing for both Sat and Sunday 8).
BTW, don't know how I could forget this piece of excitement. On the way home from Paradise, a little ways outside of Elbe, it was very windy, the tall firs were whipping back and forth, suddenly, like slow motion, this huge fir tree starts to fall, landing all the way across the road, about 150 in front of my car. Fortunately I was able to see all this happening and was able to stop in time. The top of the tree was positioned such that we were able to drive into someones driveway, around the huge trunk, all the branches, the top, and get back out onto the road. We certainly were thankful that our very good day wasn't quickly turned turn into a very bad day.
Mad Dog (Jeannette{?}): How do you and Ron do it? Not like I want my little ones to be in college yet, but you are helping me to define the days when my kids are off in a positive way! It is so nice to read your reports every week, and vicariously join you on your tours. Please let me know what your plans are for the 4th and/or 5th of January. I'd like to join you if I can.....Greg Lange (see Charles' T-A-Y email list for the details)
Happy skin tracks 8)
Happy skin tracks 8)
Greg, yeah that's me. Well, first of all remember that we are much older than you ;) so our family obligations have changed lots over the years. It's great to take part in your kids' lives as much as you can, they simply grow up way to fast. I'm going to be out of commission for a few weeks and won't be able to ski on Jan 4/5 as we will be in London for my sons wedding! Since it's a proper English Society wedding, I'm gonna have to wear a hat (other that ski hat) and high heels :D I've been practicing with the heels, I'm so used to ski boots, that I don't wanna fall and make a complete fool of myself ;D ;D. I can't speak for Ron on that January weekend, but if the snow is good he will have some dandy places to ski. So many places to go, and not enough time. 8)
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