July 23, 2011, Van Trump Park, Mt. Rainier
7/23/11
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
1575
0
8 AM start, only car on the parking lot. Aside from a few climbers coming across the Nisqually and a few day hikers as high as Comet Falls, we saw no other traffic. Routefinding after Comet Falls was relatively straightforward on the way up, but a little problematic on the descent: estimated 40 min and 400vf "Beavis" factor in the afternoon. As you drop into a gully (currently on skis) below VTP you need to make a move to skiers right (west) at the right place. It will be a month before the trail is snow free to the meadows I think. In any case, the skiing. Topped out around 1:30 at ~9300 and descended at 2 PM. A little runneled and soft but the untracked nature and the views made up for it. Icy in patches up high but not a real issue. Significant glide cracks everywhere. Slow traffic to Seattle so a long day but wonderful. Viewing across to Muir we saw hundreds. http://www.flickr.com/photos/koelle/
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