January 18, 2009, Nisqually Chute
1/18/09
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2277
1
interesting temperature variations on the way to Paradise: 27 degrees in Elbe at 8AM, 47 degrees near Ashford, back to 37 degrees at Longmire around 830AM. Lots of worshippers readying their packs at Paradise in the 50 degree heat.
Kinda icy steps up Pan Face, many folks using crampons. Breezy for the next thousand feet, but quite warm, one skier even wearing running shorts and a tshirt! As most headed up the Muir snowfield, we veered left to a lunch spot atop the Nisqually Chute.
A dozen more enthusiasts arrived over the next 20 minutes, none were in a hurry to grab first tracks. We started down at 1230, skiing on an inch of perfect corn on a firmly safe base for 800' before the snow got mushier and a bit grabby. We followed yesterday's tracks out to the bridge staying skiers right. A nice leisurely hour for the descent. Begged a ride back to Paradise as cars were stopped on the bridge waiting for their turn on the one lane section of road just beyond.
Kinda icy steps up Pan Face, many folks using crampons. Breezy for the next thousand feet, but quite warm, one skier even wearing running shorts and a tshirt! As most headed up the Muir snowfield, we veered left to a lunch spot atop the Nisqually Chute.
A dozen more enthusiasts arrived over the next 20 minutes, none were in a hurry to grab first tracks. We started down at 1230, skiing on an inch of perfect corn on a firmly safe base for 800' before the snow got mushier and a bit grabby. We followed yesterday's tracks out to the bridge staying skiers right. A nice leisurely hour for the descent. Begged a ride back to Paradise as cars were stopped on the bridge waiting for their turn on the one lane section of road just beyond.
Did the same route yesterday and thought we'd never get a ride up from the bridge to Paradise. We tried everything; switching positions on the road from me on the outside shoulder of the road to Scott on the inside, and then the other way around. We were passed by maybe 30 cars or so over what seemed like an eternity. Then I put away the rope and axe and Scott hid the bag of lime, and boom, we got a ride from an unsuspecting older couple! ;) Seriously, how harmful can a couple middle aged guys with skis apprear to be!
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