December 31, 2011, West of Stevens
12/31/11
WA Stevens Pass
2788
1
Missed the big party up at the pass on New Years eve.
Had a great outing in the Alpine lakes. Same deep and stable pow as everyone else enjoyed. Not a sign of instability all day. Except for right where we chose to dig a pit.
5,000' east side of a ridge, somewhat south facing. 260 cm deep. there was a 2" layer of grappel sandwiched between the new storm layers. Maybe from around 1-2pm on Friday when it grappeled on us at a different location.
snow was too unconsolidated on top to propagate, but it break off in loose slabs with minimal undermining. pretty isolated, but it was there.
Only difficulties encountered where visibility of the white room variety.
We did one short lap in open steepish pow, and one what seemed to be a never ending steep tree run. Great flow almost for 2,000' with no benches on tight trees. Day well worth the extra effort. Head lamp skin skiing after the log crossing remained relatively easy with soft light powder to help slow or way while straight lining a million steps on the out. Even my soft booted splitboarding partner had a fun time of it.
Crappy pics, good times
Happy New Year!!
Had a great outing in the Alpine lakes. Same deep and stable pow as everyone else enjoyed. Not a sign of instability all day. Except for right where we chose to dig a pit.
5,000' east side of a ridge, somewhat south facing. 260 cm deep. there was a 2" layer of grappel sandwiched between the new storm layers. Maybe from around 1-2pm on Friday when it grappeled on us at a different location.
snow was too unconsolidated on top to propagate, but it break off in loose slabs with minimal undermining. pretty isolated, but it was there.
Only difficulties encountered where visibility of the white room variety.
We did one short lap in open steepish pow, and one what seemed to be a never ending steep tree run. Great flow almost for 2,000' with no benches on tight trees. Day well worth the extra effort. Head lamp skin skiing after the log crossing remained relatively easy with soft light powder to help slow or way while straight lining a million steps on the out. Even my soft booted splitboarding partner had a fun time of it.
Crappy pics, good times
Happy New Year!!
That looks like fun. I almost gave you a call... figured you were getting out, but I knew Snoqualmie mountain was going to deliver the goods!
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