December 9, 2003, Snoqualmie Pass

forgot my poles and snowshoes  >:(, so had to make due around the ski area.  10am, 25 degrees on arrival.  Opted out of Alpental for the quickest steeper run and instead walked up the groomed at yet-to-open Summit Central to the foot of triple-sixty, then waded through 18-24" of cold powder up the skier's left side of the run.  30 mintues to swim to the top.

dug a few pits.  Th bottom half seemed fine, with only the top 4 inches releasing easily.

Higher up, in the wind-loaded area there was a really low density layer, full of air pockets, just above the slick rain crust -- about 2 feet down.  Heard a bit of whomping and settling at I crossed this area, staying right next to the tree line.  Steered clear on the descent.

A bit of an un-adventurous day, but the snow was great -- fast, cold powder -- and 5 laps made for a bit of vertical.  By the time I left my bootpack was a grand staircase, very "easy" (for steep uphill) and fast going.

All in all a worthy cheap quicky.