Yesterday Nick and Meagan, in from upstate New York, and Mike, a grad school buddy of Nicks, and I went up to ski. Pouring rain turned to puking snow, lots of it. The approach to Steven's Pass saw one car turned over and the roads Mike said were a wee slick. We stayed in the car to don boots and avy gear. (avy danger was considerable, and we were going to stick to anchored slopes). We started skinning up the road that Lara and I had done a few weeks ago. The snow on the uptracks was light and silky. This was going to be a good day. In fact, by the time we decended our skin tracks were nearly filled in.
We continued to the prominent flat spot, heading climbers left to the lake. We gained the ridge and dropped in to the shelter of a large tree well on the other side for lunch. There were a few other parties we saw prior, but from lunch on we were on our own. Snow absorbs sounds and the stillness is marvelous. We dropped in around a rock cliff to a lower face that offered some great lines between the trees. I followed Nick for a bit of my best grooving all day. Then I took a fall that required Meg's assistance to dig out from. Ugh. Lots of snow. We skinned back to the ridge, at some point I took lead breaking trail. Not an easy task. I took to snacking on the snow that piled up on the shorter trees. Nick rejoined us after some skin trouble with Meg's skis and he took command of breaking trail. He lead us toward the boulder field to scope the lines there. The women opted out, the men found a line to begin from more than half way up our skin track. I continued to break trail back to the crest. Snow sheared in some places when laying in the track.
Back on the South face, Meg and I were eager for turns. We tore skins off a bit prematurely and skied a few solid turns down a lovely slope that as I turned skiers left poped me in front of a drainage to far west of where we needed to be. So in dropping temps, we put back on our skins to climb a bit to the road. Then, skins off again, we skied down. From the Verizon tower, the boys caught us and joined us on the south face. Snow was inconsistent here, wind blown and a bit crusty. We descended just before dark to the car full of snow.
Great day,
go get some!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Alpental
Despite the closure of I-90 during what would be the time for first tracks, my friend David and I headed up the pass and arrived to Alpy 'round 10:40 am. David hadn't been skiing in two years (gasp!) so we took a warm warm up on Deb's Gold and then lost a layer of clothes. Snow was new, thick, and true Northwest cement. Eidelweiss bowl proved much much better, with 10 inches or so of light-ish powder on the super solid ice layer below. Great turns to be had.
We ran into fellow TAYer Daniel, his wife Sara, and their wee one at lunch and Daniel spoke highly of Upper Nash, although warned of the icy entrance. Clearly coming into lower nash, the nash got nasty. We even saw some sunbreaks and great views. But by late afternoon, and a bit of heavy fog and drizzle, the lower sections of the mountain offered quick, consistent, carvable snow. Bummer if it freezes tonight with no precip, but the temps will allow for snow if it's dumping.
Enjoy it out there!
We ran into fellow TAYer Daniel, his wife Sara, and their wee one at lunch and Daniel spoke highly of Upper Nash, although warned of the icy entrance. Clearly coming into lower nash, the nash got nasty. We even saw some sunbreaks and great views. But by late afternoon, and a bit of heavy fog and drizzle, the lower sections of the mountain offered quick, consistent, carvable snow. Bummer if it freezes tonight with no precip, but the temps will allow for snow if it's dumping.
Enjoy it out there!
Monday, December 26, 2005
Four days on the lake shore
I (by bike):
Turn from bars to hear
shreik of the eagle.
Watch the white head soar
over the lake.
Dappled sun and a few puddles
to mark my tracks.
The foundation of the mother mountain
shows her warm weather snow.
A large beaver carves a wide wake
and rides along with me.
II (by foot):
Conversations with old friends,
ghost dog at our side.
Santa practices leaps and tricks
for tomorrow's big water ski moment.
Trail is flagged with memories;
they want to rip out the holly and ivy,
and plant themselves back in this native greenery.
III (by bike):
Christmas eve storm blew down
gifts of leaves, branches,
deep puddles. I push pedals against
lingering wind
and a bit of timely sunshine.
Mast poles sing songs.
My morning community of two wheeled souls
celebrating,
again two folks with matching dogs,
again the beaver,
and the cycles continue,
this time the wind at my back.
IV (by foot):
We walk quickly
as if we can run away,
or run towards
men who need more time.
The sun is sinking
and the stairs are only steep going up.
Turn from bars to hear
shreik of the eagle.
Watch the white head soar
over the lake.
Dappled sun and a few puddles
to mark my tracks.
The foundation of the mother mountain
shows her warm weather snow.
A large beaver carves a wide wake
and rides along with me.
II (by foot):
Conversations with old friends,
ghost dog at our side.
Santa practices leaps and tricks
for tomorrow's big water ski moment.
Trail is flagged with memories;
they want to rip out the holly and ivy,
and plant themselves back in this native greenery.
III (by bike):
Christmas eve storm blew down
gifts of leaves, branches,
deep puddles. I push pedals against
lingering wind
and a bit of timely sunshine.
Mast poles sing songs.
My morning community of two wheeled souls
celebrating,
again two folks with matching dogs,
again the beaver,
and the cycles continue,
this time the wind at my back.
IV (by foot):
We walk quickly
as if we can run away,
or run towards
men who need more time.
The sun is sinking
and the stairs are only steep going up.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Archives of my trips and trip reports 2005
12.18.05 Skyline ridge
12.11.05
12.04.05 Kendall Ridge Clear Cut (ski)
11.27.05
11.12.05 West Cady Ridge
11.06.05
10.22.05 Muir Snowfield, MRNP
09.24-25.05 Carne Mountain
09.11.05 Paradise Glacier, MRNP
08.11.05 Seattle to Moran State Park, Orcas Island via Metro, Amtrak, Bicycle on SR-20, Ferry, and bicycle again (total miles 38)
08.07.05 Paradise Glacier, MRNP
04.04-08.05 Pacific Coast Hike, Olympic National Park
07.24.05 Snow Lake (hike/boat)
07.10.05
07.03.05 Flett Glacier, Observation Rock, MRNP
06.25.05 Mt. Winchester
06.23.05
06.11.05
05.28-30.05 Mt. Shasta, Avalanche Gulch and Caseval Ridge
04.18.05 Paradise, MRNP (ski)
04.13.05 Alpental Dawn Patrol
04.09.05 Mt. Baker Resort (ski)
04.02.05 Alpental Resort (ski)
02.17.05 Steven’s Pass Resort
01.30.05 Paradise, MRNP
01.16.05 Steven’s Pass (ski)
01.09.05 Stevens’ Pass (ski)
My first all women's ski tour
December 18, 2005
Skyline Ridge
Rockin' women on rock hard snow:
Despite howling winds, biting temperatures, and poor snow conditions, we still couldn't figure out why 6 men bailed on the chance to ski with us tenaciously turning ladies.
Donning the sun block under glorious sunshine Lara and I left the pass parking lot and skinned the skyline ridge trail/road. It was a fairly uneventful to the top where we saw only one couple and their odd wire hair hound dogs. The views from the ridge were spectacular. (Tye peak looked good--if you can get there.) The sound of the wind through wobbly evergreens was deafening. North aspects boasted some snow light enough to punch a pole through. In better sections the snow was so light our poles couldn't find footing.
Rounding the ridge back towards the tower we found a pocket full of pow where Lara made a fine snow angel. Then, enough with the angels, we stooped for the hoar. Diamonds really are a girl's best friend. While not quite as large as those seen by Cass and Daniel, these beautiful facets were about 3/4 " long and caught the sun in many colors.
Lunch break in a wind break with hot drinks and hot sun. Too bad we left the bikinis at home! Ahh, I love the joy of a day in the mountains. (Boys, what were you doing? Shopping?)
We buckled our boots and stripped our skins for the down and dirty, or down and icy. New England conditions dominated although we had actually had a few good turns on the lower half of the pine cone sprinkled corn.
We walked across the highway for a beer at the pass to celebrate this first (for us) all women tour.
(for the full post and response and photos: click here)
Skyline Ridge
Rockin' women on rock hard snow:
Despite howling winds, biting temperatures, and poor snow conditions, we still couldn't figure out why 6 men bailed on the chance to ski with us tenaciously turning ladies.
Donning the sun block under glorious sunshine Lara and I left the pass parking lot and skinned the skyline ridge trail/road. It was a fairly uneventful to the top where we saw only one couple and their odd wire hair hound dogs. The views from the ridge were spectacular. (Tye peak looked good--if you can get there.) The sound of the wind through wobbly evergreens was deafening. North aspects boasted some snow light enough to punch a pole through. In better sections the snow was so light our poles couldn't find footing.
Rounding the ridge back towards the tower we found a pocket full of pow where Lara made a fine snow angel. Then, enough with the angels, we stooped for the hoar. Diamonds really are a girl's best friend. While not quite as large as those seen by Cass and Daniel, these beautiful facets were about 3/4 " long and caught the sun in many colors.
Lunch break in a wind break with hot drinks and hot sun. Too bad we left the bikinis at home! Ahh, I love the joy of a day in the mountains. (Boys, what were you doing? Shopping?)
We buckled our boots and stripped our skins for the down and dirty, or down and icy. New England conditions dominated although we had actually had a few good turns on the lower half of the pine cone sprinkled corn.
We walked across the highway for a beer at the pass to celebrate this first (for us) all women tour.
(for the full post and response and photos: click here)
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