3-18-09 Paradise

After being closed for three days of almost constant snowfall, the Longmire gate opened before 9 on Wednesday.  Guessing the trail-breaking would be too hard in the open, Ed & I started from Narada and labored a couple miles to the start of the Mazama Ditch, looking for safe terrain.  Pole penetration showed notably denser over deep lighter snow at 5000'  We were hoping for some tree-bomb support, but trail-breaking was actually harder in the trees because of the extensive drifts,  Ski penetration varied from a couple inches to waist-deep.  The going was easier in the open because of a generally supportive wind crust about 6-8 inches down, but woe to the unfortunate soul who broke deeper.

Extensive sunbreaks quickly made the south aspects heavy going.  No evidence of natural releases visible on the north side of the Tatoosh.  Lapped the Fridge several times on the return where the shaded snow stayed much nicer.  We set off several impressive donuts up to 3' diameter returning on moderately steep forested west aspects.