Deep in the waters of Lake Basin

11/15/09

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Posted by Stugie on 11/13/09 5:41pm

Looking for a religious experience on this fatefully dreaded day, we arrogantly overlooked the date and focused on what was important - getting good snow.

We skinned up East Peak, following a skin track set by a couple of skiers ahead of us. Arriving in Cement Basin, we milked the turns, hoping for more of the great snow in Lake Basin. We climbed up to the pass, traversed the ridge and dropped into what will probably be remembered for years as one of the deepest lines ever. In our poor and humbled state, we affectionately named it "Section 8".

Climbing out of Lakes Basin we traversed below the ridgeline, finally making some great runs down East Peak and back to the car. Stopped in Greenwater at the Naches to bug Joedabaker and get some grub and then it was off to plan for tomorrow (today).

Our pits revealed very light "blower" powder for about the first foot, and then gradually become more compact. Depth ranged from 3.5 - 5 feet or so. Shovel tap tests released after 20 blows (10W, 10E). All aspects showed lots of wind activity, and we had small soft slab releases which didn't travel far, but definitely gave us a cautious eye.