Tatoosh May 22, 2010
5/15/10
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2967
2
For the sake of record keeping...
The plan was to meet up locally in Tacoma at 5:30am for an early departure to MRNP. One hell of a hangover dictated clockwork timing, nonetheless, on the road at about 6am despite dry heaves.
We parked at Reflection Lakes, met a couple other folks, climbed the snowbank to begin our ascent toward Pinnacle Peak. We drop the backside of The Castle, ran into a few other folks, one other lap down the backside, back up and down to the car.
The snow was fresh, on the heavy side. Low visibility, a snow/rain mix much of the time with short spurts of light snow showers. Temps seemed to fluctuate throughout the day, cooler at lower elevation upon ascending back up after each lap (S,SE). Slight release at the end of the day on N aspect heading back to the car at Reflection Lakes.
Great day in the hills, best way to nurse alcohol poisoning. 8)
The plan was to meet up locally in Tacoma at 5:30am for an early departure to MRNP. One hell of a hangover dictated clockwork timing, nonetheless, on the road at about 6am despite dry heaves.
We parked at Reflection Lakes, met a couple other folks, climbed the snowbank to begin our ascent toward Pinnacle Peak. We drop the backside of The Castle, ran into a few other folks, one other lap down the backside, back up and down to the car.
The snow was fresh, on the heavy side. Low visibility, a snow/rain mix much of the time with short spurts of light snow showers. Temps seemed to fluctuate throughout the day, cooler at lower elevation upon ascending back up after each lap (S,SE). Slight release at the end of the day on N aspect heading back to the car at Reflection Lakes.
Great day in the hills, best way to nurse alcohol poisoning. 8)
Great day. Great company. Watch out for those park rangers. I got pulled over for driving too slow.
we hit those same spots the prior day and pretty much flushed all those bowls. however, we had anywhere from 4" to 10" and the 1st / 2nd turn sent each slope we ripped.
slabs consisted of the last two days' worth of snow and were slow moving heavy snow slides. firm bed surface. they did run long and had 3-4 ft tall debris piles. heavy doses of sun radiating thru the clowds even while it snowed.
manageable but you had to watch the bowls to the left or right before riding into those because things were coming loose from well above and continuing over benches. decided to get out at that point even though the temptation was there for one more run.
slabs consisted of the last two days' worth of snow and were slow moving heavy snow slides. firm bed surface. they did run long and had 3-4 ft tall debris piles. heavy doses of sun radiating thru the clowds even while it snowed.
manageable but you had to watch the bowls to the left or right before riding into those because things were coming loose from well above and continuing over benches. decided to get out at that point even though the temptation was there for one more run.
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