November 26: Hurricane Ridge
11/15/10
WA Olympics
1894
0
A better report than an android car post....Arrived at the Heart o' the Hills gate just as they opened it. The whole morning we kept checking the phone message and each time a possible opening of 10:30 was the word. Thankfully they were right. The road drove fine and the weather was light snow and decently cold temps. Arrived to no one in the lot and chatted with the caretaker up at the lodge who was surprised to hear that we were backcountry skiers and not shoers. Original plans were to check out hurricane hill, but visibility was minimal and not being familiar with the area opted for closer terrain. Headed out in worsening storm conditions (good for us though) to the little rope tow on the frontside of the "ski area". Quickly gained the ridge and headed out to the north. Trailbreaking up to the ridge was variable from windscour to 2 feet penetration. Dropped off the ridge for a nice creamy run down to the poma lift where we transitioned a set a track up through the trees skinners left of the "face" as it is called on the trail map. The face offers up some nice gladed and open runs of around 400 feet at the most. Our first run down the face was variable with windblown pow, to chowder to nice WA powder. By this time the storm was really howling and the onslaught was covering tracks very quickly. Each run got better and better until the powder day status was achived late in the afternoon with good sized body shots and nice soft turns amongst glades and little meadows. Coverage was good in the gladed areas but wind blasted and scoured to a crust on ridgelines. I grazed a few rockbands, but nothing significant to slow me down or worry me much. Many small alpine firs were gently pruned. Stability became a slight concern on lee slopes in the afternoon. Slight cracking and the usual slab signs were showing up. Pretty rapid cornice building and impressive snow transport going on throughout the day. Snow depths ranged from 0-36 inches depending where you were at. The drive down was rediculous with 2 inches fresh on the road, no vis and blasting winds. Even the subaru got some freshies. Great laps and a fun area when the ski lifts are closed.
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