Feb 12, Lichtenberg Mtn
2/15/10
WA Stevens Pass
3936
3
Despite the warm temps we had snow (just barely) from the highway up, getting less manky with altitude. The new snow was upside down, with the heavier stuff on top and it was not bonding well to the layer 4-8 inches below. We triggered two small slides with ski cuts on north facing aspects, 30-40 degrees. One of the slopes was directly below the summit and may have had some wind loading. The other had a convex start zone. Nothing huge but tomorrow could be sketchy with some fresh glop overnight. The clouds parted and the fog lifted just as we topped out (not sure if we were on the true summit).
Slide we triggered below the summit, showing the 4 to 8 inch crown
Its peanut butter jelly time!
Slide we triggered below the summit, showing the 4 to 8 inch crown
Its peanut butter jelly time!
Nice pics - never done that tour, looks like you're booting up the last part?
Pretty impressive slide picture, Jay. It looks like you skied back down the slide path. Correct? Did the crust go with the slide, or stay on the slope? Good to see you on Heather Ridge yesterday. How was that?
We booted up to the summit, first on the North face and then wrapped around to the East face for the final 30 feet. You could probably skin up via the South or West aspect but it was difficult for us to get over to that side because of cornices. If approaching from the North (like we were) it appears the easiest route is straight up the East face. I don't think we were climbing the true summit (most maps list the peak due East of Lake Valhalla as the summit). After the slide we thought skiing the slide path was the most prudent way down. The snow wasn't that bad and the crust that it slid on was not that firm (definitely not a rain crust). Heather Ridge on Sunday wasn't so hot. The temps spiked right as we got up top. The turns for the first half of the run weren't bad but the bottom got dangerously heavy. Giant snowballs pinwheeling down the hill.
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