Chinook Pass, June 13, 2009
6/15/09
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
1577
1
Out of the car at 8:45 and started ski traversing then hiking toward Tahtlum. Slushy snow made for excellent booting and never took the skins out of the pack.
At the knoll above the saddle for Tahtlum and overlooking Dewey Lake I decided that in light of the building clouds and the distance to Tahtlum's top, I would head back toward Naches and climb the corniced ridge to the 6200 ft point south of the summit.
After taking a short break and my camera losing most of its battery power it started to sprinkle and the sky grew darker. It was obviously raining over to the north.
The skiing down the steep slopes was excellent. Corn snow and buttery slush. Smooth. Fun turns.
About 5 minutes from the car it started thundering and by the time I reached the car around 12:45 it was raining pretty good though I saw no lightning.
Pictures on my website:
At the knoll above the saddle for Tahtlum and overlooking Dewey Lake I decided that in light of the building clouds and the distance to Tahtlum's top, I would head back toward Naches and climb the corniced ridge to the 6200 ft point south of the summit.
After taking a short break and my camera losing most of its battery power it started to sprinkle and the sky grew darker. It was obviously raining over to the north.
The skiing down the steep slopes was excellent. Corn snow and buttery slush. Smooth. Fun turns.
About 5 minutes from the car it started thundering and by the time I reached the car around 12:45 it was raining pretty good though I saw no lightning.
Pictures on my website:
Keith, thanks for the conditions report and photos.
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