February 21, 2015, Panorama, Golden Gate, Mazama
2/21/15
WA Cascades East Slopes North
2290
1
We went through the gate at Longmire at 9:08 AM, 35th ish in line. At the base of Pan Face there was 2 ski penetration and 10 boot penetration in fresh snow that was lighter than I expected. Expectations soared for skiing the Muir snowfield. But, at the top of Pan we encountered [s]howling winds[/s] a stiff breeze and concluded that it wasnt going to get better higher so [s]sheepishly[/s] wisely went looking for fun somewhere out of the wind. As we headed for the exit a guy topped-out without a shirt on okay, I felt wimpy. We skied down climbers left of the up-track in boot-top fresh that hadnt been touched by the sun yet, crossed the skin track at the bottom and descended the south slope of panorama into Edith Creek.
From there we skinned up to the Golden Gate for lunch. There were [s]ginormous[/s] good sized roller balls on the south facing slopes below Panorama over to the Golden Gate. They must have come down earlier in the week because they were snow-covered. We didnt see any new pin wheels or roller balls until the end the day on Mazamas west slopes originating from trees, but didn't see any wet loose snow.
After lunch we skied south from the Golden Gate down to the intersection of the Skyline and 4th Crossing trails. The new snow was settling a little in the sun but still skied [s]heavenly[/s] nicely. We stayed on mellow, sheltered slopes and didnt see any signs of instability. From the 4th Crossing Trail we skinned up to the north end of Mazama, ripped [s]shirts[/s] skins and skied down through the trees and snowshoers back down to the road. Just kidding, I havent use a snowshoer for a slalom pole in several years. The snow stayed nice for skiing all day we stayed in the sun, out of the wind.
From there we skinned up to the Golden Gate for lunch. There were [s]ginormous[/s] good sized roller balls on the south facing slopes below Panorama over to the Golden Gate. They must have come down earlier in the week because they were snow-covered. We didnt see any new pin wheels or roller balls until the end the day on Mazamas west slopes originating from trees, but didn't see any wet loose snow.
After lunch we skied south from the Golden Gate down to the intersection of the Skyline and 4th Crossing trails. The new snow was settling a little in the sun but still skied [s]heavenly[/s] nicely. We stayed on mellow, sheltered slopes and didnt see any signs of instability. From the 4th Crossing Trail we skinned up to the north end of Mazama, ripped [s]shirts[/s] skins and skied down through the trees and snowshoers back down to the road. Just kidding, I havent use a snowshoer for a slalom pole in several years. The snow stayed nice for skiing all day we stayed in the sun, out of the wind.
