November 15, 2011, Snoqualmie Pass
11/15/11
WA Snoqualmie Pass
7089
12
Quick trip to West to feed the rat. Mid-boot medium density powder over a supportable soft crust. Firm pole tap went through the crust into something soggyish below. Fatter skis floated fine. Tapped the crust a few times on the down, but rocks seem pretty deep with sensible route choice. Few creeks showing.
Cloudy morning with flurries, ~15 mph gusts, gave way to sunbreaks, firming up the snow somewhat. 1-2' windlip non-reactive, pow to crust bond seemed reasonable. Didn't investigate sub-crust snow.
Summit West is doing lift maintenance. Lift started unannounced; keep clear...
It's a privilege to be this close to snow.
Cloudy morning with flurries, ~15 mph gusts, gave way to sunbreaks, firming up the snow somewhat. 1-2' windlip non-reactive, pow to crust bond seemed reasonable. Didn't investigate sub-crust snow.
Summit West is doing lift maintenance. Lift started unannounced; keep clear...
It's a privilege to be this close to snow.
Looks nice up there! I drove over the pass yesterday and it was dumping. Was wondering how it would be to ski!
beautiful shots up there - hopefully they'll continue to pick up more coverage later this week...
get any flak from folks working at SummitWest? Is it fair game until they open?
get any flak from folks working at SummitWest? Is it fair game until they open?
Charlie, thanks for the update. Nice photos of what to expect before the next cycle.
author=ErikT link=topic=22315.msg95401#msg95401 date=1321395697">
get any flak from folks working at SummitWest? Is it fair game until they open?
Mutual respect goes a long way. Folks working on the hill are friendly; nobody likes a cranky morning.
As I understand it, the uphill policy at non-Alpy "Summits" is murky (Edit: see italics below), but low-key skinning is common until hill operations begin and again after they end. Folks looking for quick skinning from the car tend to go to Hyak midweek during the season.
Things that may maintain the mellow status quo: Stay on the edge of runs on the up, don't skin if there's any chance avy control work will occur, stay out of the way of (but be visible to) groomers/lift operations, don't get hurt, etc... The ski areas are on public land, but they're concerned about safety/liability.
Gib (Rob Gibson at Alpental) tends to formally notify TAY when Alpental closes to unauthorized (check with patrol....) uphill traffic. His article on avy control/recreationalist interaction is a worthy read.
Edit: found this in the article linked above:
Early season before we start traveling around the slopes we allow free access with the caveat that there is still the possibility we will be working at the area. That means some heads-up play by hikers and climbers regarding keeping away from the facilities and out of the way in case the lift should move without warning.
In regards to uphill traffic...
Skiing at alpental today and talked to the co-workers, they are going to be putting up no uphill traffic signs starting tomorrow thursday. They ask to please check in with them before heading uphill from here on out.
Skiing at alpental today and talked to the co-workers, they are going to be putting up no uphill traffic signs starting tomorrow thursday. They ask to please check in with them before heading uphill from here on out.
No shortage of fellow midweek slackers on the bunny slope today. Good coverage and really pretty good snow, considering. Actually got kinda tracked looking @ 1 PM ...
Thats too bad it was tracked out at west. Sure wasn't at alpental.
Wow.. itS ON!
Whoops. Nice choice :).
author=kevino link=topic=22315.msg95436#msg95436 date=1321418959]
Sure wasn't at alpental.
It will be now.
author=alpine-earth link=topic=22315.msg95460#msg95460 date=1321468117]
Quote from: kevino on Yesterday at 08:49:19 PM
Sure wasn't at alpental.
It will be now.
Perfect. The creative will stay one step ahead and find powder elsewhere while the others crowd to the destination of digital disclosure. It's a fun game. Everybody's happy. You should try it sometime. :)
author=cumulus link=topic=22315.msg95475#msg95475 date=1321475081]
Perfect. The creative will stay one step ahead and find powder elsewhere while the others crowd to the destination of digital disclosure. It's a fun game. Everybody's happy. You should try it sometime. :)
That sounds like a fun game, I like it! Come to think of it I might have played it a few times ;) .
Nice photos by the way, OP and Kevino, what a beautiful pass it is. B&W Guye peak shot is sometimes my favorite view at the pass.
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