Dec 15-16 and 22-23, 2004, Sasse Ridge, Jolly Mtn

With new snow coming, this report may not be that pertinent. In any case:

Last week almost spring like conditions on Sasse Ridge. Skied right from the parking lot to my usual campsite with a bare minimum of snow covering the road. (#4315)  The next day I made it to the 6080'+ knoll a half mile north of Jolly Mtn. There was about an inch of new by 4900 feet, and 4 to 6 inches by 5600' on a firm base. Very nice higher up. I had switched to the tele gear from the NNN BC stuff I had been using for several weeks, so I thought I should stop at 'Ladybug' and see if that amount of vertical would put me in the nursing home this year.  :)

This week was a replay of last week, except the road was getting quite bare below 2800'. On Thursday morning, out of the tent and for about an hour skiing up in the dark with a headlamp, watching all the stars. It's road skiing all the way to the end of the road at 5600'. Minimal coverage off the road. Beyond the end of the road it gets better and better. Once I got to 6000' feet (on 1 to 2 inches new on a firm base, sunny, not that cold) I just couldn't think of any excuse not to ski to Jolly.  :) Very windy on top. The north face was quite nice; 3 to 4 inches loose snow on a firm base. I couldn't ask for better in such a low snow year.

On the way down, the usual 'variable' snow conditions, anywhere from nice light snow, to hard pack, to breakable crust, to a mixture of all within the length of a ski. NW skiing at it's best.  :)

Larry