September 7, 2011, Adams SW Chutes condition update
9/7/11
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2959
2
With the exception of 100' of gravel above the false summit, and some rock ridges to cross at the bottom, you can still ski from the summit to the south end of the 7000' level plateau. Very fun outing, but crap skiing. Starting with dangerous at the top and improving to awful near the false summit, difficult through the chutes proper, and good below 8000'. We exited fall line (SW) to the "around the mountain" trail @ 6500' which led us back to the south route trail. This exit was a piece of cake and probably best when snow level is high like now. I would say the ski window has shut for enjoyable skiing, but for the fun of turns, you can still get 5000' in. We saw agingclimber's tracks in the chutes and had very little company on the mountain. Lots of smoke haze to the north (from Olympics?), and to the south from a fire on Hood. Another fire north of Goldendale on the way home to Wenatchee. Wood guardrail posts burnt to a crisp!
A tip of the hat to artfreeman's fun factor ratings and a better write up: http://www.justgetout.net/Wenatchee/23064
A tip of the hat to artfreeman's fun factor ratings and a better write up: http://www.justgetout.net/Wenatchee/23064
The snow quality may have gone south, but the setting was worth 4,000 vertical feet of crummy turns.
While you and Andy were making turns I was flying burns. I think you had the most fun.
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