January 4, 2004, The Kendall Stump

Day 23
Kendall Stump (5,000')
2,020' vertical skied

Powder skiing in the Selkirks, I mean, Kendall Stump


Would the days of super deep powder ever end?  Did they ever have to?

On our last day we decided that a short tour was in order as Andrei's flight was leaving at 6 pm back to Colorado.  This day would be coldest and snowiest yet - 8" of super cold fresh (on top of the 6" from yesterday, the 5" from the day before, etc.) and a balmy 8 degrees F registered on the overhead board at the top of the pass.

We decided on the Kendall Stump, as we had a nice view of the open snowfields on the drive to Mt Catherine on Saturday. Access to Kendall Stump, a regenerating clear cut rib along the flanks of the rugged Kendall Mountain, was a major plus for this tour.  The rib rose a respectable 2,020' vertical to a summit of sorts (more like a Ridge) at 5,000'.  The slopes falling away from the ridge were wide open avalanche paths with miniature Christmas trees for a 1,000 vertical or so before ending at the glades of the old growth forest that circled the clear cut.  A short flat hike and walk under the highway to the Summit Central Ski Area rounded out the tour and made for a perfect morning session with little commitment.  And of course, we couldn't have experienced the relatively low, south facing slopes in finer conditions.  But striking out on this tour, it turned out we made every mistake possible to make the climb more difficult.  

We floundered in thigh deep powder crossing the flat area after crossing under the highway, looking for a shortcut to the Pacific Crest trail.  Travel off skin tracks proved to be a very difficult affair.  Soon we found the PCT and it proved to be a superhighway of sorts and travel improved quickly.  

Shortly up the trail, however, and we drifted into the forest ending up no where near the trail as we entered the clear cut.  We ended up climbing someone else's steep descent track until we found the logging road cutting up through to the middle of the face.  The going was very steep, very deep, and a trifle annoying.    Now back on track, we approached the summit area and the wide open snowfields that fell away at three angles.  Let me tell you, the sight of Kendall that day was A-Freaking-Mazing.  The sun rose bright over a few puffy clouds on the horizen, the snow was cold and reflective like high mountain powder, and the miniature Christmas trees were covered in a thick coating that just screams Major Dump.  It was like we were transported to British Columbia on a 3 foot deep powder day.

When we reached the top, we were met by a group of Tele skiers coming up from the other side and it appeared they had made quick work of the ridges to our east from the sight of the turns and skin tracks.  We smiled to each other and commented on the fine weather and the circling Helicopter now on day three of circling the valley.  As it turned out, these skiers informed us that a local skier had left Alpental ski area and had become lost, and the helicopter was a search mission.  Ahhh!  It all fell together.  Besides being obvious we didn't watch the local news, the lazy manner of the helicopter should have tipped us off to its mission.  Hmmmm, bummer.  

Andrei and I said good skiing to our comrades and then the draw of the powder pulled us away and we descended into the Winter White.  It was dream like.  Beautiful blue skies, great friend enjoying my local ski terrain, and 30"+ of the super dry that makes September the cruelest month of longing.  I would survive the summer remembering powder that good.  We took turns skiing sections and found ourselves down in the woods too soon.  But even lower down the skiing was great and we cruised glades almost back to the trailhead.  I put snowshoes on and we walked back into civilization.  We were, of course, all giddy with a successful four day ski adventure behind us, and neither of us could get that shit eating grin off our faces.  

I drove Andrei back to the house, he packed up, had lunch with the wife and kid and off to the airport and cold, dry Colorado.

Upon reflection, Andrei's four day ski vacation was the best powder skiing I've had in Washington State.  A perfect combination of low avy danger, day after day of powder and cold temperatures to keep the snow the way it fell - light and dry.

Damn, why isn't there a rewind button in life?