Dec 15 Hyak---at long last, SNOW
12/15/09
WA Snoqualmie Pass
2221
0
The cold air drainage from the east with warm wet air above the pass sounded promising last night, but when I woke up to telemetry that said only 7" of new over the ice with fairly strong wind from the east all night, I started wondering if that meant I'd find patchy wind-scoured ice with a cold wind in my face all day, with the possibility of freezing rain by afternoon, making it a colder and more painful version of my last trip to Hyak...all of which seemed significantly better than going to work, so I drove up. Strong winds and a bit of freezing rain on the drive up didn't make the prospects any more sanguine, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it dead calm at the base of the hill. The first run was a bit heavy, a bit wind-packed, but the only wind-scoured area was at mid-hill, just above the landslide crater. I had to work my way around it to skiers left, then back to the right on a rib on the downhill side. After noon it started snowing more heavily with falling temps. Still almost no wind (possibly useful lesson--Summit telemetry doesn't necessarily reflect conditions at Hyak). After my last climb I explored around on top for a little over an hour in hopes that the new snow would improve the last run, and I was well rewarded. Not a deep powder experience, but for this year so far I'm ecstatic about 3" of ligfht dry new snow over packed powder.
I saw 6 other skiers, 1 dog and 2 snowshoers. It could be as good or better tomorrow...or there could be freezing rain. This would be a good time to cultivate a friendship with someone who lives at Hyak who could give you an onsite microclimate report.
I saw 6 other skiers, 1 dog and 2 snowshoers. It could be as good or better tomorrow...or there could be freezing rain. This would be a good time to cultivate a friendship with someone who lives at Hyak who could give you an onsite microclimate report.
Reply to this TR
Please login first: