January 1-4, 2003, Stevens Pass bc
1/1/03
WA Stevens Pass
2561
1
Well, skied several days around Stevens Pass over the long New Years weekend, but one day of note for the trip reports.
Saturday, Jan 3rd: Skyline Ridge, Moonlight Bowl.
First time skiing these bowls for me this season. We skiined up the front side and headed out the rigde from the new cell tower. Dug a pit on SE aspect. Close to 10" of light, cottonball, 2% SWE type snow over a soft slab from the preceeding 20" or so the last week. Stability was good, with the surface sloughing on shear and compression tests. Performed a RB and the top layer of powder sloughed with little effort, but the slab below would not budge-green light day.
The skiing was incredible-over the head shots in deep, light snow-the white room. We were choking on it til we remembered how to time our turns and breaths. Had to memorize the locations of trees to avoid hitting them 2 turns down. Simply outstanding.
We weren't the only ones with the same idea, saw 2 or 3 other groups, including a harem of 6 boarders running the chinese downhill off the top. Glad they called it a day after a lap while we hit it 2 more times in solitude.
Saturday, Jan 3rd: Skyline Ridge, Moonlight Bowl.
First time skiing these bowls for me this season. We skiined up the front side and headed out the rigde from the new cell tower. Dug a pit on SE aspect. Close to 10" of light, cottonball, 2% SWE type snow over a soft slab from the preceeding 20" or so the last week. Stability was good, with the surface sloughing on shear and compression tests. Performed a RB and the top layer of powder sloughed with little effort, but the slab below would not budge-green light day.
The skiing was incredible-over the head shots in deep, light snow-the white room. We were choking on it til we remembered how to time our turns and breaths. Had to memorize the locations of trees to avoid hitting them 2 turns down. Simply outstanding.
We weren't the only ones with the same idea, saw 2 or 3 other groups, including a harem of 6 boarders running the chinese downhill off the top. Glad they called it a day after a lap while we hit it 2 more times in solitude.
Juan: Your localized touring in that area is going to turn into the specialty "T.R.-du-jour" of Skyline Ridge! Your info, especially the pit and other test info, is a great head start for those of us who need to remember to do these things each time out. And, your updates tell the sweet side of the story, as well. Thanks...Greg Lange
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