October 11, 2008, 'Muir on Saturday'

Left the northend around 530 and left the lot at Paradise at 8. Only saw one other group of skiers, and more coming up as we headed down. Knew there is always a reason for getting  there early.

1. No one to stop you at the Nat'l Park gate
2. Get the goods before the weather comes in
3. Get a parking spot the other fools are getting in fights over as they try to squeeze their way into the new visitors center. Only thing we saw of the new visitors center were the new toilets........

Just like back in late August, easy hike in ski boots up to Pebble Creek. Skinned from there on up. Good amount of snow had fallen, with deep pockets of 6" to a foot in some places (loaded).

Lots of variable snow conditions, styrafoam, powder, ice, etc.
Wind started to kick in around 7-8k. Mellowed out on the last pitch before Muir. Got really icy, even with ski crampons it wasn't too much fun. Knew the remainder of the way to Muir would be ice, we decided not to ski it on the way down and turned around at 9500. Sideslipped the ice until the first drop below Muir and got some good turns on skiers left in the pockets guarded by the ridgeline. Continued down to Pebble Creek and placed skis on back. Great turns for Rocktober. Great weather.

Overheard on the way down:

1. (From man in front of me on stairs) "You sound like RoboCop" (my ski boots)
2. Hot blonde "That's hardcore!"
3. Lady at Lot "How far did you go?" Answer: "All the way". Lady, "All the way to the top?", Yes, all the way to top of the Muir Snowfield"
4. "There's skiing up there?"
5. "How far you have to hike to see snow up there on the mountain?"
6. "You guys are crazy!"
7. "Whoa"
8. "Hi"
9. "Das es ina gouda idae"

Got my Nuunyo's out for the 1st time in the BC since I am waiting on a pair of Zealots and sold my crossbows last month. Amazing how "not zippy" the crossbows were. I miss them. I don't like zippy. Where are my crud busters and powder slings?

Finally got a chance to eat at Scaleburger as well...damn good