March 30, 2002, Touchet Corral, Blue Mtns.

1 skier, 3 dogs left Touchet Corral near bluewood ski area at 9am. 1" corn silk on a nicely consolidated surface in the shade on skyline rd. Dogs did not punch through. Headed towards Table Rock and lost the last of the single snogo track. The rd. traverses an east facing slope that gets severely wind-loaded, obliterating the road. Dogs were punching in up to their bellies here. Turned back 1 mi. shy of Table after losing nerve on the 2nd 40 deg slope traverse w/o skins and dogs tied on. My pellestovas were no match, although the dogs performed flawlessly. Lots of plastic deformation but no catastrophic instability. Many broken cornices seen off Table Rock. I saw one 'biler high-marking, thankfully outside the wilderness bndry. Sheriff was ticketing sno-parkers w/o permits when we got back to TH. 1800 v.f., 15 mi. r.t., 3.7 hrs. including a 30 min. rest stop.

David Lowry