February 10, 2002, Tatoosh Range, Mt. Rainier NP

Intending to head for the Tatoosh, Jeanette and I noticed Steve Andreasen waiting around in the parking lot for his flock to gather for a Mountaineers trip of equal destination. After some discussion, we decided to join them. An early gate opening at Longmire caught us all dawdling so away we went for Narada.

For the second week in a row we had a great trail broke by returning snow climber/campers on snowshoes; these providing us with added benefit of what sounded like competent beta on the snowpack. Observed little evidence of natural releases during the climb but our RB near Castle Saddle failed at 2 on the first 1 foot layer and a 3 on the second foot layer, bombproof below that. Skied lower angle slopes and noted no other hazardous snow conditions.

Ron Jarvis