Dec 16, 09 Mt. Rainier, Mazama Ridge

Avy danger very high, winter storm warning, but we had cabin fever, off we went.  Down Paradise Valley Rd, amazed at all the avy crowns extending from the glades above the creek below 4th Xing above the road, across the open slopes above the Paradise Vally Rd, and all the way thru the woods and glades to the west.  A couple of the releases actually hit P.V. Rd.  It was blowing and snowing and visibility wasn't great but it looked like some slopes had multiple releases and some crown extended 100s of meters.  So up from 4th Xing we went to Mazma Ridge but by the time we reached the back bowl it was really blowing ice and snow.  We had planned to tour out towards Paradise Glacier but the storm was growing in intensity so we headed back.  Sking down the front of Mazama were pretty fun in the deep, soft, styrofoam and strong winds.  Calm at the PV Rd.