November 24, 2001, Crystal Mountain Backcountry

Jill and I were on our way to Cayuse Pass when I read in the morning paper that Crystal would open on Sunday. Seeing most backcountry folks would be heading to the Pass, we headed for Crystal. Great choice. The area had a few kids and parents sledding on the lower slopes. We headed up chair 4 and then up chair 9. Those nice snowcat drivers made a perfect single track up the hill which made for easy climbing. The base had about a foot of snow and there was about 30 inches up high. Open slopes were windloaded but next to the trees it was "dusty". I thought I heard Jill barking with joy as we descended the deserted slopes.

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