June 5, 2009, Alpental

It€™s been 3 weeks since I€™ve toured and the break in the heat wave motivated me to see what€™s left at Alpental.  The lower slopes are pretty sparse with a few areas available to try and piece together a skin track just above the main lodge.  There is still an approach which has almost continuous snow from the upper parking lot.  I parked at the upper lot near the rope tow slope. I started up at 8:15am. You can skin up the €œback door€ to the top of the Sessel chair with 2 short  carries.  From the top of Sessel there is continuous snow coverage.  I skinned up Lower Nash where I met the €œearly bird€ crew that were just descending.  Their hoots were a confirmation that the skiing would be good. Skinning was pleasant with only an inch of ski penetration.  The only €œmushy€ snow was old avy sluffs.  I stopped about half way up Upper Nash.  The conditions were very good-small sun cups, no moguls and excellent coverage.  The descent conditions were also good with a few bits of debris scattered about but easily avoided.  With the 2 short carries, I was able to ski to the car.  I did have pollen on my bases but the descent has a pleasant pitch and the pollen did not really affect the skiing.  It€™s very nice up there. With such expansive terrain available, I would recommend that Marcus bring his high school class and Scotty get the Mountaineers up there this weekend.  :D