December 2, 2011, Pineapple Pass/Alpental

I got a leisurely start around 11:00 AM out of the upper lot at Alpental. Things were nice and cool on this completely shaded route, no melt going on at all. The ski area had run the groomer about 2/3 of the way to Source lake, with a snow shoe track above that.  Above Source, I stayed to the right, following an old skin track that was pretty much drifted under. In general the 6-8" of snow since last weekend's rain was very wind affected, but seemed stable. No sluff's seen or triggered.

The snow was very pleasant on the descent from Pineapple, skis floating, not diving. From the base of Pineapple, I skinned up and over to piss pass and on to upper I. at Alpental, which was in pretty good shape.