October 26, 2001, Paradise, Mt. Rainier NP

Friday appeared to provide a good weather window so Charles and I decided to go for it. The forecast called for rain and snow to move in during the afternoon but this was not the case as the skies got progressivley clearer during the course of our tour. We headed up towards the Muir snowfield at around 9:30, skiing from the parking lot on about 20" of heavy wet snow. Temperatures were in the mid thirties. At the top of Panorama Point we encountered gale force winds which accompanied us up to about 8000', where we decided to quit battling them. Two skiers descending from above said that when they reached the base of the lenticular cloud, enveloping the summit, at 9000', they encountered 70mph winds; we could see a plume tearing off of Anvil Rock most of the day. The snow on the descent was a tricky combination of stiff windpacked snow and random loose snow deposits. The wind didn't help much with balance either. Lower the snow was just plain cascade concrete. We decided to extend our touring by heading down the Skyline trail to Mazama Ridge and out via the snow-covered Edith Basin road. We were treated to an awesome lenticular cloud display on the eastern, leeward side of the mountain. In summary an enjoyable tour with marginal snow for turning but all on skis from car to car.

Photos from this trip can be viewed here.

Andy Palunas