TR Replies

I guess it may come off as wimpy geekdom to the true hard men out there to point out that people may reasonably draw the line differently on risks. Nevertheless, since there are also newbies reading the boards and likely taking inspiration from them, I'm willing to come off that way now and then.

Paul - you likely have learned that skiable trees are little protection from slides, and in fact provide an excellent "puree" function for bodies, unlike open slopes where you may have...

I thought this kind of crazy stuff only happened in Colorado.  This guy must be some kind of Rocky Mountain Badass coming to poach all our big lines, while the rest of us cower in our basements digging pits in our mashed potatoes, and the ski areas try to explode away all of last year's losses with their surplus ordinance.

Skiing a big peak solo?  Foolish?  For sure.  

When did Snoqualmie Mtn. become a "big peak"
???
haahahahahhahahahahahaha

You shouldn't feel any guilt. I think the guilt was felt  when the trail was being made and only the trailblazers around to enjoy the goods.

Rode the lifts for a few hours at Snoqualmie, and was surprised by how OK the New England style "packed powder" was, I expected something more refrozen. My first little exploratory probe into some untracked trees up high was ... powder! Then in a few feet ... sun crust! I wondered about where there might be continuous powder stretches still hanging about - I'm sure they're up there somewhere.

Correct me if I'm wrong- to stay legal, you must descend 100 yds or so west of the road exit at the corner to the mp marker, then hitching is allowed?

hope they are both doing well, tell Jill we are thinking good thoughts for her.

Jim - all very valid concerns.  Luckily all signals were green or I would have bailed. 1. no water - on wed I needed little b/c of cold. prior knowledge of conditions - green.  2. in avy paths - not really.  most of that was all in my head, but tantilizing, isn't it?  Skiing isn't gin rummy 3. I'm a pretty safe driver, but being in a car isn't like playing gin rummy either, is it? 4. avy danger looked pretty good when I timed it.  again the training run on wed helped a lot in making the decision...

The Phantom itself has never really concerned me in anything but the most extreme conditions. It's the product of what literally is a hundred-year slide that isn't likely to just happen on some random backcountry day, and it's since grown back enough little trees to provide at least some anchoring.
The upper slopes do make me a little more nervous though, especially when they get a little cliff constrained. While overlooking from Alpy I've been eyeing a line recently that basically goes up th...

I've got snow envy. We missed the good stuff on Red Mt.'s west face by about an hour and a half or so. Should've been up before the crack of dawn or bailed early and got it while the getting was good.

Such a wonderfull shot!  I love the combination of different layers.

Thanks for sharing.

Darn :-(  
Maybe splitboard skis will give enough flotation to be safe  :D

That's beautiful!

I'm really surprised no one else has said this yet,

WOW!


That looks awesome, great photos.

Glad your ok there Chris ??? I lost contact with my buddy Dan up at Sunrise for a short time in the fog cause my batteries were dead,gets freaky quick. See you soon ....Jerry

I just got done reading an email about a missing boarder at Stevens during the week...

Apparently one of the searchers fell from a chairlift on the way down after the search was over (the missing person was at home the entire time).  It sounded like he was, for the most part, fine.  Pretty sore though.  


nick

Thanks Mad dog. Learnt some serious lessons like carry a radio, and be sure that everbody in the group understands the proposed descent path and keeps each other in view.
  We literally had "powder fever" and the skiing was so good that IMO, we as a group, and especially me, started making poor decisions because we where so amped up and desperate to make another run.

Sky is my personal trail breaking machine hahahahaha
;)

My partner and I were going to head up there this past Sunday.  When we pulled into the lot we saw what looked like a skin track up the Phantom (snaking around climbers left of the waterfall).  This put a smile on my face as I was not looking forward to the long plowing session.  While getting ready my partner suddenly exploded into fits of rage...forgot his beacon!  We ended up skiing "The Stump" with longing eyes set on Mt. Snoq., Chair, and the Alpental valley. &...

Welcome back, Sky.

I was wondering whose skin track that was.

Ron, nice shots.  That camera of yours is super.

Also, I like your "signature" quote from the Zapster.  I'll break trail for you cool cats anytime!!  And I'd say it's due.

Missed you at Paradise yesterday, but appreciate the cruiser in you that needs to explore new territory.  Nice work.

The snow did get a little heavier as the day went on.  Still pretty good for the pass.

The slopes off of Chair Peak looked skiable.  However from past experience the snow pack might be a little low still.  You might need to be prepared to hit some rocks.

I see from Telemetry that it warmed up briefly to 34 degrees down at snoqualmie pass on Sunday--was the pow pow becoming heavy?

Monika.
I was up on the Kendall Ridge Clear Cut area yesterday. Snow in the unexpected sun did become "heavier" by mid afternoon, but still quite nice. North facing slopes and shadowed areas were noticably lighter; snow in the treed decent was tasty.

Have fun!

Thanks Robie for a great tour of Hogback Mt., with perfect snow conditions!!  There are a few photos HERE  ;D.