June 26, 2008, Alpental
6/26/08
WA Snoqualmie Pass
3139
3
After watching my "Sherpa trainee" grandsons playing soceer in North Bend, I made a quick run up Alpental. The lower slopes are pretty much snowless. So I parked in the upper lot as close to the St Benard rope tow slope as possible. Skinned up the St. Benard rope tow slope and did a climbing traverse above the cat track to the top of Sessel chair. There was a 20 yard section that required hiking near the top. From the top of the Sessel chair, the snow pack is in good shape. Just skied Lower International. The moguls have melted and the suncups are developing.
I thought you didn't hike for snow ;).
Thanks for the update - not a whole lot worse than last weekend. It leaves me wondering if that darned road to Windy Pass that some of us are eyeing (because you can indeed ski from the bumper for a short window, despite your hiking a bunch there due to route selection issues last year ;) ;)) is going to be blocked down low still...
Thanks for the update - not a whole lot worse than last weekend. It leaves me wondering if that darned road to Windy Pass that some of us are eyeing (because you can indeed ski from the bumper for a short window, despite your hiking a bunch there due to route selection issues last year ;) ;)) is going to be blocked down low still...
Headed up after work with EKB to get some fresh air and a few turns yesterday (Wednesday). We were walking on mostly wet ground up to about 3,400 ft (car was at 3,100 ft) and then on decent snow from there up. We didn't bring skins, but the booting was just fine - made it up to the midway for great views and some good chocolate - although it took a bit longer than 15 minutes!
The turns on the way down were well worth it (Debbie's Gold). Dirty snow for sure and some sun cupping.
The turns on the way down were well worth it (Debbie's Gold). Dirty snow for sure and some sun cupping.
Head up towards Source Lake and either Pineapple or Chair Peak. Tons of snow starting from the upper lot -- no hiking required as of Wednesday night. I boot packed two sections -- 1. a shortcut to get me directly into Chair Peak basin, and 2. Last couple hundred feet to the col between Bryant and one of Chair's sub-summits.
Skinning was good and the corn snow was lots of fun!
Skinning was good and the corn snow was lots of fun!
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