Paradise Ski Resort - Oct 21
10/15/07
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
4741
8
We were part of the horde who piled up like salmon fighting upstream against the Longmire Gate. My TAY Vanpool "Shoreline to Paradise" route started at 4:30 AM with stops in Kenmore, Wallingford, Georgetown, and Tacoma. I nearly dislocated my shoulder patting myself on the back for getting going so early. And we were all anticipating fresh cold snow, with plenty of time to find the perfect slopes. So much for an early start!
The Lodge's short stacks, omelettes, and scones slurried together with a bottomless cup of coffee helped us pass the time, as well as refueled us. There was, of course, the usual conspiracy talk, blaming George Bush for the closed gate, and wondering if Dick Cheney used to be CEO of the Longmire Lodge, etc. More productive by far was the gear talk, story swapping, and formation of new friendships.
When we reached Paradise, I thought I had made a wrong turn into the Crystal lower lot. Upon arrival at Paradise, our group immediately split into two parties of 3. The "A" team of Snow Bell (Joe - AT gear), Moscawulff (Brad - Hot new Tele gear), and Dan (Split boarder) aimed at Muir. The "B" team of Joe, (Tele), Molly (Snowshoe/Snow Board) and Rusty Knees (Don, Tele) decided what we need is a good cardio workout, and some basic "face plant" practice.
The A team got to about 9000, and practiced their white out, flat light bumpy snow ski practice. The B's got to the top of Pan point just as the first folks were heading down. (Who was the aggressive tele guy heading down in the first wave through Panorama's main chute? I'm a fan! Will work for lessons.)
All I remember about the trip down was I kept wrestling with the heavy snow all the way to the parking lot. As a Geezer, I was a lot more tired from the descent than the uptrack.
But, Man! What a start to the season. My first full year. Wahoo! Thanks for all the company, A and B teams.
The Lodge's short stacks, omelettes, and scones slurried together with a bottomless cup of coffee helped us pass the time, as well as refueled us. There was, of course, the usual conspiracy talk, blaming George Bush for the closed gate, and wondering if Dick Cheney used to be CEO of the Longmire Lodge, etc. More productive by far was the gear talk, story swapping, and formation of new friendships.
When we reached Paradise, I thought I had made a wrong turn into the Crystal lower lot. Upon arrival at Paradise, our group immediately split into two parties of 3. The "A" team of Snow Bell (Joe - AT gear), Moscawulff (Brad - Hot new Tele gear), and Dan (Split boarder) aimed at Muir. The "B" team of Joe, (Tele), Molly (Snowshoe/Snow Board) and Rusty Knees (Don, Tele) decided what we need is a good cardio workout, and some basic "face plant" practice.
The A team got to about 9000, and practiced their white out, flat light bumpy snow ski practice. The B's got to the top of Pan point just as the first folks were heading down. (Who was the aggressive tele guy heading down in the first wave through Panorama's main chute? I'm a fan! Will work for lessons.)
All I remember about the trip down was I kept wrestling with the heavy snow all the way to the parking lot. As a Geezer, I was a lot more tired from the descent than the uptrack.
But, Man! What a start to the season. My first full year. Wahoo! Thanks for all the company, A and B teams.
author=Rusty Knees link=topic=8010.msg32005#msg32005 date=1193190593]The A team got to about 9000, and practiced their white out, flat light bumpy snow ski practice. The B's got to the top of Pan point just as the first folks were heading down. (Who was the aggressive tele guy heading down in the first wave through Panorama's main chute? I'm a fan! Will work for lessons.)
Heh... thanks. I think that might have been me. My group was probably one of the first to head down through there. Were you up on the ridge in the trees, hanging out for a break?
Pan chute was the best snow that day for us, by far. Had you seen me skiing 1000 feet farther down it might be a different story :) Breakable crust is still not my forte...
Marcus telemarks better than I walk. Funny that you describe him as "aggressive" though. He has learned to do what I never had the confidence to do on teles: utilize speed and power (and a little cunning?) to get through crappy snow. But despite the blackness of my AT-skiing soul, it's nearly worth it when he's fighting the face-plant in Cascade concrete. Nearly. :)
Funny that you describe him as "aggressive" though.
I was going to describe him as "Hot" but since we haven't been introduced yet, he probably would have gotten the wrong idea.
I was going to describe him as "Hot" but since we haven't been introduced yet, he probably would have gotten the wrong idea.
Rusty Knees - Congrats on completing your first year!
It was great to meet everyone in the party! The scones and bottomless coffee in Longmire really made the trip extra special!!
Pretty good day overall for being October 21!!!
Thanks Again Rusty Knees!!
Pretty good day overall for being October 21!!!
Thanks Again Rusty Knees!!
author=Rusty Knees link=topic=8010.msg32048#msg32048 date=1193273664]I was going to describe him as "Hot" but since we haven't been introduced yet, he probably would have gotten the wrong idea.
Got to buy me a drink before you can start talking to me like that.
It'd be fun to get out some time this winter Rusty -- always fun to share tips and tricks.
Thanks for the A-Team status Don. I pity the fool who touches my chains!
Despite the minimal visibility on the Muir snowfield which held the camp shrouded in the white abyss, it was surely a great day to be on the side of a volcano. Usually I head to the hills (away from the resort) to escape the crowds but this was a pleasant exception. From the 12 passanger van of snowriders to the 2 hour stint at the Longmire staging area to the procession up Pan Point, the comradery amongst common strangers was in a way the best part of the day and a great start to a season of fresh snow. Thanks to everyone who participated. It was an honor crossing tracks with all of you.
Despite the minimal visibility on the Muir snowfield which held the camp shrouded in the white abyss, it was surely a great day to be on the side of a volcano. Usually I head to the hills (away from the resort) to escape the crowds but this was a pleasant exception. From the 12 passanger van of snowriders to the 2 hour stint at the Longmire staging area to the procession up Pan Point, the comradery amongst common strangers was in a way the best part of the day and a great start to a season of fresh snow. Thanks to everyone who participated. It was an honor crossing tracks with all of you.
Very nice to meet you, Rusty Knees, and also to realize my neighbor down the street Robie is an avid TAYperson.
Our group had three first-year streak completions that day: MaryG (I AM stashworth, I Am I Am!), Lisa (streak? you guys never said anything about a streak!), and Mr_Burns (well okay, I missed November last year because I was imprisoned in Arizona while it was dumping here!) Also completing an imressive two month streak after suffering through powder and heli-skiing at Las Lenas in September was Jon (this may require some new equipment).
As usual we were slow on the draw when the gate opened. We were some of the last to sit down to the lightning fast service at Longmire. It all worked out, though, as the route up was well packed by the time we hit the trail.
Looking forward to running into you all again soon!
Our group had three first-year streak completions that day: MaryG (I AM stashworth, I Am I Am!), Lisa (streak? you guys never said anything about a streak!), and Mr_Burns (well okay, I missed November last year because I was imprisoned in Arizona while it was dumping here!) Also completing an imressive two month streak after suffering through powder and heli-skiing at Las Lenas in September was Jon (this may require some new equipment).
As usual we were slow on the draw when the gate opened. We were some of the last to sit down to the lightning fast service at Longmire. It all worked out, though, as the route up was well packed by the time we hit the trail.
Looking forward to running into you all again soon!
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