February 3, 2002, Castle Peak, Mt. Rainier NP

Pleasant hard to believe it's Washington weather on Sunday led to a great day. As noted gates opened at a somewhat painfully late 1000 to arrive at the Narada falls parking lot with a full crowd of snowshoers and nordic skiers but few with their eyes looking to loftier slopes. Cool in the mid 20's and snowshowers allowed a quick skin to Reflection lakes. A group of overnight campers indicated only a inch or so of fresh snow overnight at Reflection lakes.

Following a nicely laid uptrack by a certainly younger and more spirited group of four, the three of us made pleasant time in blue sky and brief snowshowers up to the east side of Castle Peak. Allowing for their hard work we enjoyed lunch expecting them to make first tracks down through the 18 inches or so of untracked snow only slightly windblown. They disappeared east as we floated downward in blue sky, light winds, dusty snow and a big mountain painting the background. Slightly more windblown on the southwest facing aspects we suspected and noted a bit of windloading on the northeast aspects of the bowl. Overall the fresh laid over a two inch slab with a couple of feet of firm snow beneath. After a couple of return runs we shared the slope with another group of four from below. Lowering skys and gray clouds followed us down as snowshowers returned to close the day.

Another great day in the Northwest.

Charles Wiley