January 23, 2011, Red Rain - Snoqualmie Pass

Friday's sunny forecast for Sunday caused Susan and me to clear our schedules for a fun traverse. When Sunday wasn't, and instead fog and rain arrived at the pass, we turned to more moderate Red.

Headed up Red in the rain to within ~500' of the top on the SW side. Increasing signs of instability (recent slide activity, soggy 2" windslab over goo, variable goo, etc.) turned us around. Ski cuts got a couple small soggy slabs running at the same 6" down layer we saw yesterday. None grew nor stepped down.

Skiing best in the open and higher (heavy soggy soft snow atop the crust). Mostly crusty in the trees and at lower elevations. At its best, ski quality was middling.

Creek crossings on bridges are hard to come by. We had extra time, so we actually shoveled out a crossing at one point.

Mist all day - quite wet. The happy smart choice was made to head back to town for hot sandwiches, soup, and warmth. Yum.