January 11, 2004, Castle Saddle, MRNP
1/11/04
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2468
1
Nice skiing on N aspect from the saddle (6300') to about 5800' (repeated 3 times). Not so nice otherwise. Rutschblock suggested a moderate hazard in agreement with the NW Avalanche Center's bulletin. Partly cloudy, calm, warm day (FL over 6000'), no precipitation, fair visibility. Even a view of The Mountain in the late afternoon. Sloughing from rocks, but no dramatic avalanches evident. Untracked. The only other party was that of two snowboarders. After one puked (party last night) so forcefully that his back was wrenched, they left. Whoa, dude!
Good call! We skipped Sunday cuz the snow we skied Saturday off Pan Pt. + the forecast suggested some eal back breakable crust or concrete the next day; plus the south facing slopes had a really complex somewhat scary snowpack. should have gone to Castle.
Reply to this TR
Please login first: