December 16, 2010, Snoqualmie Pass, Slot Couloir

On Thursday the 16th a friend and I skied the Slot couloir on Snoqualmie Mountain. We skinned up the Phantom Slide, where low snow cover still makes for tricky track setting. We couldn't resist doing a lap in the glades near timberline, given the unusually good snow for a south slope at 4,500 feet. The Slot itself yielded an adventurous descent; we triggered a series of 20-30 cm soft slabs that ran on a storm snow layer. They entrained plenty of snow as they ran, one of them going at least 250m down slope. A few hidden rocks added to the craziness (my friend trashed the edge on a brand new pair of skis). We opted to exit the basin a little to the west of the standard gully, uninspired by the prospect of more slabs.

The Crooked couloir appeared to be pretty thin: lots of little trees where it veers to the west midway, and a short rappel or two at the bottom. On the whole, however, options for touring at the pass are opening up rapidly.

I didn't manage to grab any photos. Maybe next time...