January 22, 2011, East Peak and Cement Basin
1/22/11
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
1733
0
We started late from Crystal base, hoping for the brilliant sun to soften the rain crust.
The snow for the climb into Bullion Basis was very firm. We booted up the ridge to just south of East Peak, following a boot track (thanks!) of the only other skiers we saw all day . We took one run into Cement Basin, where the snow was crusty but skiable, with a 1/2" crust over 1 inch of soft snow, then bulletproof crust.
Then, we followed the ridge north to East Peak then west before dropping down on that WSW facing slope. We didn't start skiing down off the ridge until about 2 pm, and the strong sun had softened the snow. We stopped partway down to allow the snow to soften further and enjoy the view of Rainier, before continuing down about 3 pm. By then, the snow was very soft and fun skiing.
The snow for the climb into Bullion Basis was very firm. We booted up the ridge to just south of East Peak, following a boot track (thanks!) of the only other skiers we saw all day . We took one run into Cement Basin, where the snow was crusty but skiable, with a 1/2" crust over 1 inch of soft snow, then bulletproof crust.
Then, we followed the ridge north to East Peak then west before dropping down on that WSW facing slope. We didn't start skiing down off the ridge until about 2 pm, and the strong sun had softened the snow. We stopped partway down to allow the snow to soften further and enjoy the view of Rainier, before continuing down about 3 pm. By then, the snow was very soft and fun skiing.
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