May 14, 2011, Snoqualmie slot dawn patrol
5/14/11
WA Snoqualmie Pass
2939
2
On the heals of finishing our Catherine trip @ 10:15pm the previous night, John and I met Andy and Stephan at 6am over at Alpental. We decided to start early to beat the coming rains, and hey, who needs sleep anyway! ;)
The Phantom trees gave us some decent snow to skin, but the glades where 20+ cm of goo making the skin up slow. Around the 5000' level in the trees/glades to lookers left we came across a major debris field of a slow wet slide. The start zone was in the rocks around 5600' Guessing the slide was 3+ days old based on the amount of melt in the glades. Slow because it left gaps on the downhill slopes of trees.
The slot itself was pretty firm with 5cm of corn on top and no recent avy evidence up top. It skied very nice. About 2/3 of the way down there was avy debris in the center and skiers right. The exit of Crooked looks like it cleaned out as well, so the going might be good there now.
At the bottom we witnessed a large (3' to 5') slab calve off one of the rock shelves. While it was fun (and loud) to watch, it was also a sobering reminder of where to and not to stop/travel during these warm days.
After a warm climb up to the notch (big thanks for existing book pack) we crossed through the debris and into the Phantom. Surprisingly, it was debris free with 10-20cm of heavy goo. We skied it carefully to avoid rolls. About 1/2 way down, we set off a pretty good wet slab that scrapped 20cm off the top. Good reminder not to ski below big wide turns. The somewhat odd thing was that was the only movement we could get going. Similar pitches didn't move.
Picked our way around the waterfall and skied right to the road. A great and tiring day with 10 hours of the previous 16 hours spend touring.
GPS track here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/85651364
More pictures here: http://gallery.gipfelhaus.com/index.php/Cascade-Backcountry-Ski-Patrol/1305412890
The Phantom trees gave us some decent snow to skin, but the glades where 20+ cm of goo making the skin up slow. Around the 5000' level in the trees/glades to lookers left we came across a major debris field of a slow wet slide. The start zone was in the rocks around 5600' Guessing the slide was 3+ days old based on the amount of melt in the glades. Slow because it left gaps on the downhill slopes of trees.
The slot itself was pretty firm with 5cm of corn on top and no recent avy evidence up top. It skied very nice. About 2/3 of the way down there was avy debris in the center and skiers right. The exit of Crooked looks like it cleaned out as well, so the going might be good there now.
At the bottom we witnessed a large (3' to 5') slab calve off one of the rock shelves. While it was fun (and loud) to watch, it was also a sobering reminder of where to and not to stop/travel during these warm days.
After a warm climb up to the notch (big thanks for existing book pack) we crossed through the debris and into the Phantom. Surprisingly, it was debris free with 10-20cm of heavy goo. We skied it carefully to avoid rolls. About 1/2 way down, we set off a pretty good wet slab that scrapped 20cm off the top. Good reminder not to ski below big wide turns. The somewhat odd thing was that was the only movement we could get going. Similar pitches didn't move.
Picked our way around the waterfall and skied right to the road. A great and tiring day with 10 hours of the previous 16 hours spend touring.
GPS track here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/85651364
More pictures here: http://gallery.gipfelhaus.com/index.php/Cascade-Backcountry-Ski-Patrol/1305412890
Nice work Erik.
Great tour all. The Slot was in great shape, the apron was mashed potatoes mixed with sluff and even the Phantom skied great. We were lucky to be able to ski all the way to the car and I'm not sure if that's possible anymore.
There's are a few more photos below and the whole set starts here: https://picasaweb.google.com/sbentsen/May2011#5607511441566266818
John making turns on the upper portion of the Slot
The Slot and the Snot
Still on skis, but the bottom is melting out.
There's are a few more photos below and the whole set starts here: https://picasaweb.google.com/sbentsen/May2011#5607511441566266818
John making turns on the upper portion of the Slot
The Slot and the Snot
Still on skis, but the bottom is melting out.
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