October 2, Muir Snowfield
10/15/05
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
3127
6
Off to Paradise I headed at a way too early time in the morning to mention. I had woken up resolved with the fact that I was most likely going hiking on Rainier with new friends, but being the ski freak that I am, of course packed all my ski gear, too.
Joined up with a new gang of friends in the Paradise parking lot (Robert, Steve, Johnny, Kurt, & Eric)-the snow was coming down and the area had a fresh dusting. We didn't even need to think as we pulled our skis from our cars and added warmer layers.
The wind was variable, probably up to 20+ mph gusts, and visibility was, um, predictable given the little snow storm we were in. The mtn was socked in and as we ascended, booting it a large majority of the way, we met some "unprepared" hikers and sent them back to Paradise, hoping they listened to our advice and didn't hang out any longer (you know the kind of folks you expect to hear about in the news the next day).
To answer what everyone is thinking, YES, there was POWDER on the ground-about 2-8" of fresh on top of glacier ice and small crevasses. Since I wasn't the one with the altimeter, I estimate we stopped just below Anvil Rock at about 9400' or so and skied to just above Pebble Creek. Skiing was fantastic, visiblity was do-able, and new hope sprang to life for our upcoming winter. It's here-time to get out there and play in the mtns. October turns have been taken care of, but I'm sure I'll be heading out again soon.
Scott B & Eli were missed, but our thoughts were with you as we skied the light fluff (with no core shots!) :)
Continue thinking snow....
Joined up with a new gang of friends in the Paradise parking lot (Robert, Steve, Johnny, Kurt, & Eric)-the snow was coming down and the area had a fresh dusting. We didn't even need to think as we pulled our skis from our cars and added warmer layers.
The wind was variable, probably up to 20+ mph gusts, and visibility was, um, predictable given the little snow storm we were in. The mtn was socked in and as we ascended, booting it a large majority of the way, we met some "unprepared" hikers and sent them back to Paradise, hoping they listened to our advice and didn't hang out any longer (you know the kind of folks you expect to hear about in the news the next day).
To answer what everyone is thinking, YES, there was POWDER on the ground-about 2-8" of fresh on top of glacier ice and small crevasses. Since I wasn't the one with the altimeter, I estimate we stopped just below Anvil Rock at about 9400' or so and skied to just above Pebble Creek. Skiing was fantastic, visiblity was do-able, and new hope sprang to life for our upcoming winter. It's here-time to get out there and play in the mtns. October turns have been taken care of, but I'm sure I'll be heading out again soon.
Scott B & Eli were missed, but our thoughts were with you as we skied the light fluff (with no core shots!) :)
Continue thinking snow....
Lapaz do you think it will last until tomorow?
Upon reading your report I think I might have to take a mental health day away from work. :)
Upon reading your report I think I might have to take a mental health day away from work. :)
Yep, go for it!!!! You could always check out the Paradise web cam, too...
~L
~L
So...lapaz you skied with my old man. Ha. I'll let you guess which one :)
Now I regret not going...
Now I regret not going...
So...lapaz you skied with my old man. Ha. I'll let you guess which one
Here's a hint...he doesn't have a gnarly red goat.
He also puts da beers in da ski boot so doesn't forget.
the dude with the gnarly red goat puts the empty beers in your boot!
and lara- it was not that early!
roberto
and lara- it was not that early!
roberto
Jason_H: yep, I knew who your father was :)
And Robert, I agree, it wasn't very early, but for October turns it sure seemed so considering I left home at 6am (though in spring I've been known to leave by 430am-uggh!)
And snoslut...your name came up a few times-glad I could hang with other ski circles out there and bridge yet another gap btwn groups
Keep dancing and it will keep coming...
~L
And Robert, I agree, it wasn't very early, but for October turns it sure seemed so considering I left home at 6am (though in spring I've been known to leave by 430am-uggh!)
And snoslut...your name came up a few times-glad I could hang with other ski circles out there and bridge yet another gap btwn groups
Keep dancing and it will keep coming...
~L
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