December 21, 2003, Paradise
12/21/03
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
1942
0
I skied up to the base of Pan Point, in calm and foggy conditions starting at 11 AM hoping for clearing. The big rainbow near Puyallup was a great omen, but the clouds did not ever lift.
2 to 3 inches of nice new snow on a very light crust (melt-freeze?) that only occassionally grabbed a pole. At 6200' before going down to Edith Creek I dug a quick pit down 3 feet. Lighter snow, gradually and evenly consolidating as it went down.
Other than dropping into sudden invisible dips in the flat light and fog, it was great to ski on. Went up the nice skin track toward Golden Gate, then turns down to the creek. Snow had turned wet back at Paradise, with warm temps.
Others reported lots of wind above Pan Pt. On the way home there were beautiful, absolutely clear (!), sunset views of the mtn with high clouds moving in and a lenticular cloud on the summit.
2 to 3 inches of nice new snow on a very light crust (melt-freeze?) that only occassionally grabbed a pole. At 6200' before going down to Edith Creek I dug a quick pit down 3 feet. Lighter snow, gradually and evenly consolidating as it went down.
Other than dropping into sudden invisible dips in the flat light and fog, it was great to ski on. Went up the nice skin track toward Golden Gate, then turns down to the creek. Snow had turned wet back at Paradise, with warm temps.
Others reported lots of wind above Pan Pt. On the way home there were beautiful, absolutely clear (!), sunset views of the mtn with high clouds moving in and a lenticular cloud on the summit.
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