Feb 19, 2011, Red Mountain

Presidents' Day weekend, so Commonwealth basin was busy with multiple groups out, most of them turning toward Lundin from the usual decision point. We pushed on toward Red Mountain, which kept things quieter on the upper mountain.

The skinning was thin in spots. February coverage was marginal in the lower basin, though only a few patches required real workarounds. Higher up, skinning became genuinely difficult — the snow had settled and hardened enough that skins weren't biting reliably. We switched to bootpacking for the upper half. Ski crampons would have done the job; we just didn't have them. The 2,335 feet of gain felt longer on foot, but the col is straightforward and the views of the Cascades are worth it on a clear day.

The skiing down was a mixed bag. Overall good, I wanted to commit and mostly could, but I was never fully trusting the next turn. The upper pitch had taken sun and developed a modest crust that skied inconsistently: some turns felt locked in, others slid subtly before catching. Earlier tracks from the morning had hardened into ridges that complicated things on moderate terrain.

The trees saved it, as usual. Protected from the afternoon sun, the forested sections had held softer snow and skied cleanly the whole way. The col back to the valley floor was wet and heavy — not dangerous, just slow, the kind of snow you push through rather than ski.

Takeaway: north-facing aspects are the right call in these conditions. Red Mountain's east face in mid-February afternoon sun is a gamble. If I were going back the same week I'd aim for a north aspect and earlier start. The Snoqualmie Pass backcountry skiing guide has more info on routes in the area, which can be useful for picking the right line for the day's conditions.