Silver sessions

I went up to Silver peak three evenings this week, arriving between 5 and 6 and skiing until sunset each time. It has been a great escape from the city and good skiing conditions. 

The snow-covered road is getting thin, and I imagine by now it's melted out to one long carry between snow worth skinning. 

The driving part of the road is as gnarly as usual. Nothing a good ol' 2003 Honda Accord with 6.3" of clearance cannot handle. That's about 2" more than the Impreza we also drive. I did have to move a few rocks in the crux switchback corner. On the way out last night, KEXP was bumping a killer mix of protest rap and also this choice tune:

On Wednesday, Dave and I took a first run down to the Annette side, which was still fully covered except for a dirt step across move. As of yesterday, it's gotten noticably rockier and probably isn't worth it any more. 

Thursday, I was solo and ventured to the summit by hiking on the southwest side of the ridge. From there, I skied down the ridge and into the rightmost "Dizygotic twin" chute. Took the little bowl down to where it steepened and looked like creek-danger, then skinned back for an Annette lap before heading out.

What I think of as the main run down the frontside, which Silas led me to last year, is in fine shape and should stay that way for a while. It's been skied so much it's got Nash sized bumps. These were nice and fast at sunset, prime time.

It was good to get out both with friends and alone. We talked about the protests, racism, politics, all the stuff that everyone needs to be talking about these days. It's quite the privelege to be able to get out and ski 1.5 hrs from Seattle. It's a privelege to get to go for a run out my door and not worry about getting shot in the back by some asshole. Skiing's way too white a sport. One of the things I like a lot about skiing the Summit is that it isn't a bougie resort---you see new skiers and families of all types up there enjoying themselves. The world needs healing and it starts with everyone.