Feb 14, 2010, Cave Ridge, Phantom

Went up to check out Snoqualmie today with friends + dog.  Started from the car parked at Summit West, in the rain at 10am.  Turned to snow on the ascent to the saddle between Guye and Cave Ridge.  Stability of snow in the trees was good, although there were plenty of pinwheels and the new snow occasionally sluffed off the crust.  Hit the top of the ridge by 12:00 and the gully between Snoqualmie and the Ridge at 12:30.  LOTS of sluff and pinwheels coming down the S face of Snoqualmie.  Dug snowpits on the North and NE facing aspects of the N end of Cave Ridge.  Found 12-18" of wind deposited snow on top of thin crust layer, atop another 2 feet of 4-finger snow.  Extended column test indicated no weak layers.  After putting some weight into it, I was able to pull snow off the crust layer - it was very well bonded to both upper and lower snowpacks. 

Buttery pow turns were lapped on N and NE aspects.  Had a small slabby sluff release (6'x6') on a convexity but it did not travel far.

Exited the gully towards Alpental to the west and followed tracks to the Phantom.  The snow warmed rapidly on the W face and was glop and mashed potatoes after descending 500'.  On the ski down we encountered pinwheels up to 3' in diameter.  We ended up traversing around the falls through the trees, which was generally nasty (although less nasty than trying to pick our way down the falls).

Overall, a typical (but enjoyable) northwest day:  Rain, snow, fog, sunshine, spots of pow and lots of glop.

Sorry for no pics - left technology in the car b/c of precipitation.