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Chinook Pass- Spring 2010
- Stimbuck
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Looks like we are starting on Chinook Pass the week of April 5, 2010. West side crews will begin March 30 towards Cayuse. I'll continue to post updates through the spring, plus you may find info at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/chinook/
As a reminder, we typically work Mon-Fri. Snow removal equipment, explosives, and ski-cutting will be happening, so it is best to cut us a wide swath in the areas above and below SR 410.
I'll put up some photos and snow information as we get under way, particularly info that helps all of us make good avalanche safety decisions, and obviously good skiing reports. Personally, I'm looking forward to some corn after a rather dismal season of powder. I also appreciate the support and positive comments related to this annual spring post!
Cheers,
Stimbuck
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- Scotsman
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Please give Joe and I special updates 24 hrs in advance of anybody else.
Thank you Mr Stimbuck.. you guys do great work.
Also have you sent this message to a Vermont skier website as they tend to like to roam?????
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- ~Link~
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Also have you sent this message to a Vermont skier website as they tend to like to roam?????
Baaaa-Zingggggggggggggg!
Can't wait! More practice terrain for the newcomer.
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- Boot
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- Stimbuck
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- Erick Heyl
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- PNWBrit
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That beardy ranger and his pals up at Sunrise will be fullfiling his duty as public servants and skiing up all the taxpaers snow.
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- Joedabaker
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WSDOT crews began clearing snow and avalanche debris from Cayuse Pass on SR 123 this morning. Efforts to clear Chnook Pass on SR 410 will begin in mid-April.
Crews are using plows and snow blowers to clear away tons of snow and debris that accumulated since the passes were closed for the season on Nov. 8. The west side maintenance crew from Greenwater will clear Cayuse Pass and then begin working its way up Chinook Pass in mid-April to eventually meet up with the east side crew out of Rimrock.
If weather allows, WSDOT plans to have Cayuse Pass open for traffic on Thursday, April 15 and Chinook Pass open by Friday, May 28. Weather changes quickly at these high elevation passes and heavy spring snow storms can interrupt the clearing work.
For information on SR 123 Cayuse Pass visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/cayuse
For information on SR 410 Chinook Pass visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/chinook/
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- md2020
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If weather allows, WSDOT plans to have Cayuse Pass open for traffic on Thursday, April 15 and Chinook Pass open by Friday, May 28. Weather changes quickly at these high elevation passes and heavy spring snow storms can interrupt the clearing work.
oh man, that would be awesome if true. A month and a half of touring Chinook from Cayuse. It seems like it's been a while since they've opened Cayuse much before Chinook.
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- Stimbuck
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If Cayuse does open before Chinook please be advised that avalanche control and snow removal will be happening around Chinook Pass. The majority of the avalanche control is done east of the summit, but there are times when we need to perform control west of the summit. Work west of the summit primarily consists of ski cutting, the east side is a combination of ski cutting and explosives.
Thanks.
$
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- Stimbuck
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West side crews at Cayuse, likely another 1-2 weeks before they get it ready to open. They estimate 10' at summit.
East side moving along, though there is way more snow than what we saw in mid-March (as if everyone hasn't noticed by now).
Evidence of some good wet loose activity from last weekend (mainly east of crest). The slides triggered a few good wet slabs as well. We kicked one off below the road on Tuesday- wet loose beginnings became a wet slab once it gained some mass.
We saw some tourers around Sheep Lake/Peak 69 area. They likely heard us when we engaged in some control work.
Very good snow coverage in the starting zones.
See you at Snowball - Stimbuck
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- Gary Vogt
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- Stimbuck
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Also note that our crew continues to encounter wet slab conditions. Ski triggered wet slabs have been encountered as conditions warmed and the snow becomes a bit soft. Typical depth has been about 8-14".
$
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- Stimbuck
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- Charlie Hagedorn
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- rootsman
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I was also wondering, how large an area do the road crews need for their work? In other words, are there any areas accessible from Cayuse to ski during the week when the crews are working on the highway?
Thanks to all involved for their hard work!
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- hyak.net
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www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/Passes/Cayuse/2010Photos.htm
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- md2020
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- Stimbuck
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I would anticipate the activity to subside when conditions cool this week, but we've now had several nights w/o a freeze, so probably still generating avalanches, even on previously slid slopes.
Quick side note- We had two skiers come through our work area this week following the PCT South (Crystal to Chinook)- never made contact, but it was on Wednesday and I must admit that the conditions were crazy. I just can't see why someone would willingly travel through this terrain when conditions were like that, let alone while we were doing avalanche control.
Be safe out there, and please respect our zone while we are working.
Cheers,
$
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- jhamaker
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I was up at Chinook Pass yesterday (see post "May 14-16, 2010, Cryatal & Chinook Pass pre-corn" here on TAY. I second your feelings towards excessive avalance activity, still ongoing.
NB: There seems to be a double-wide trailer sized block of snow trying to sepparate itself from the hill and shift onto the newly plowed rd at the first hairpin uphill from Cayuse Pass.
It must be frustrating. You plow it, it slides. Plow it again, now with rocks and trees, it slides again . . .
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- Stimbuck
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Keep an eye on: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/chinook/
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- yakAT
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- Stimbuck
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Thanks to everyone for your cooperation and patience while we open Chinook.
$
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- Stimbuck
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