Nov 5, 2005, Stevens Pass
11/5/05
WA Stevens Pass
3388
4
The lifts aren't running yet, but lots of pow (though wet and heavy; but not complaints for an early start on the winter snowpack) for those willing to hike/skin-up for it today. Many others seen out enjoying the snow today as well!
5 of us (plus 2 others we met at the parking lot) headed out at ~9:00ish this morning from the Stevens Pass parking lot, breaking trail up "Showcase" near the Big Chief lift for the 1st run of the day; heavy snow made for some challenging (but still fun) turns (actually had to just "point 'em" to keep any speed at all on the lower angle slopes).
In short, we found ~2-to-2.5 ft of snow on that slope, with the occasional brush poking through the snow surface.
A quick pit dug on a westerly aspect @~5,100' (after skinning back up Showcase and near the Double Diamond lift) revealed ~3-ft of snow, generally increasing in density with depth to the ground surface (a couple rain crust layers in the lower 6"...also noteworthy, an easy shear was noticed ~3-inches below the surface in new snow during shovel compression test (failed with "wrist taps"), may be something to watch for on exposed steeper terrain with the forecasted additional snowfall).
Owing to the "heaviness" of the snow making for some tiring skinning (gained ~100-ft elev. in 1/2 hour), we skied down from ~5,200-ft (on the "Double Diamond" ski run) traversing back to the "showcase" run (lots of tracks there now). Other skiers/boarders accessed the top of that run ("Double Diamond") via Tye Mill, which may have been the more logical and far less steep up-track in today's conditions.
Finished up with a quick ski on mellow terrain (again in deep, heavy snow) near the Skyline Express lift. The groomers were swarming many of the slopes in that area, in preparation for next week's opening.
5 of us (plus 2 others we met at the parking lot) headed out at ~9:00ish this morning from the Stevens Pass parking lot, breaking trail up "Showcase" near the Big Chief lift for the 1st run of the day; heavy snow made for some challenging (but still fun) turns (actually had to just "point 'em" to keep any speed at all on the lower angle slopes).
In short, we found ~2-to-2.5 ft of snow on that slope, with the occasional brush poking through the snow surface.
A quick pit dug on a westerly aspect @~5,100' (after skinning back up Showcase and near the Double Diamond lift) revealed ~3-ft of snow, generally increasing in density with depth to the ground surface (a couple rain crust layers in the lower 6"...also noteworthy, an easy shear was noticed ~3-inches below the surface in new snow during shovel compression test (failed with "wrist taps"), may be something to watch for on exposed steeper terrain with the forecasted additional snowfall).
Owing to the "heaviness" of the snow making for some tiring skinning (gained ~100-ft elev. in 1/2 hour), we skied down from ~5,200-ft (on the "Double Diamond" ski run) traversing back to the "showcase" run (lots of tracks there now). Other skiers/boarders accessed the top of that run ("Double Diamond") via Tye Mill, which may have been the more logical and far less steep up-track in today's conditions.
Finished up with a quick ski on mellow terrain (again in deep, heavy snow) near the Skyline Express lift. The groomers were swarming many of the slopes in that area, in preparation for next week's opening.
We noticed similar things up at Bullion Basin near Crystal. (Hi Russ, and whoever else were the dozen other folks who helped break trail!) -- including that thin top layer that sheared easily. Maybe the bed surface was freshiez from overnight that weren't warm enough to sinter? Conditions weren't suited for surface hoar.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the wind has shifted around a bunch. Today the wind seemed mostly from the north and east, which means those westerly slopes could be more loaded than you'd normally expect.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the wind has shifted around a bunch. Today the wind seemed mostly from the north and east, which means those westerly slopes could be more loaded than you'd normally expect.
I wasn't there, Gary, but the word from Silver Basin was the snow was too deep for the terrain. It was apparently light and relatively stable, however. I guess if you have to have a problem...
I was the first one down Double Diamond (up Tye Mill) Sat. and it was sweet. It had to be that steep to make good turns in the deep heavy snow. Made a second run down Wild Katz that was just as good - caught some face shots on the 1st day of the season! Hope it is a portent of things to come. We said we were going to stop to take some pictures on Wild Katz but the powder called and we just couldn't stop. ;D
hey guys, seems like it was a great day! nice photos too, cass...i could almost feel the face shots through the computer screen! ;)
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