June 1, 2003, Summerland/Fryingpan Glacier

The weather seemed much whimpier than the forecast so Team Sumo decided to trust that the "east-side Rainier weather hole" would be in effect. It was, we had high clouds and some direct sun all day over the entire Summerland/Emmons/Interglacier area. We got a late start (9:30) but had the seasonal timing right for this tour too. The first two miles were easy walking, then snow began at 4500' just after the switchbacks. Skiied right onto the footbridge where the trail comes out of the trees. We picked our line for later on the headwall and then skinned up higher to a boot-track that climbed to Meany Crest. Lunch on flat rocks, then more skinning up the Fryingpan. We set a turnaround time of 3pm and this left us a 800' short of Whitman Crest, which was starting to gather some clouds.

The high clouds had kept us from overheating on the ascent and had prevented the snow from getting too soft. It was a little sticky on the gentle parts of the Fryingpan but then good corn appeared as the slope rolled over into the steep descent down into Summerland. No sloughing or snowrollers, just a few inches on a firm base. I was able to ski all the way back to 4500', crossing a half-dozen bare spots less than a ski length wide. These spots will probably grow a lot this week.



More pictures at: http://www.powderstash.com/summerland