Feb 15, 2012, Low Expectations in Pickhandle Basin
2/15/12
4156
8
With people suggesting Paradise/Tatoosh above 6K for the week, I got to thinking that most of the good BC terrain around Crystal is above 6K and since we wanted to bring the dogs my buddy Chris and I decided to hit Pickhandle Basin.
Neither of us had been into Pickhandle before though we've skied terrain all around it. We didn't have high expectations for snow quantity or quality since telemetry didn't indicate any significant snowfall for the last few days and we'd found nothing but nasty crust and avy debris near Snoqualmie in previous days. We were really just hoping for a nice "tour of exploration" under sunny skies and crossing our fingers that we wouldn't have to deal with 4" of fresh on top of a breakable crust.
We took a very leisurely approach to the day, arriving in the otherwise completely empty parking lot at 10:30. As we were gearing up another car arrived and as we talked to it's occupant I realized we had mutual friends and we decided to team up for the day. Talk about a small world. Brian - it was great to meet you and huge props for all the trail breaking!
our expectations remained guarded as we ascended into the basin proper. There was a bulletproof crust with 2-4" or so of super light pow on top. We were encouraged by the fact that the pow was getting deeper as we went up. 4" of pow on a solid crust isn't the worst skiing you could have by a longshot.
Once into the higher terrain we were ecstatic. To say our expectations were greatly exceeded would be an understatement. Above the floor of the basin the N. facing aspects were holding 10"+ of excellent, light powder on top of 3-4" of crunchiness with a solid crust that became less solid as you go up but was never soft enough to break all the way through with all the nice snow on top.
We ended up skiing pow under bluebird skies in bomber conditions all day and had the entire basin to ourselves until late in the day when 3 other guys climbed the ridge from the South.
Only possible downside was lots of large snowballs and a few areas of chicken heads scattered about. Just made it more like slalom skiing though.
Full set of pics here: http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n268/willhbaker/2012_02_15%20Pickhandle%20Basin/
A couple select pics:
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http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n268/willhbaker/2012_02_15%20Pickhandle%20Basin/DSC_4212.jpg" />
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http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n268/willhbaker/2012_02_15%20Pickhandle%20Basin/DSC_4251.jpg" />
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http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n268/willhbaker/2012_02_15%20Pickhandle%20Basin/DSC_4287.jpg" />
Neither of us had been into Pickhandle before though we've skied terrain all around it. We didn't have high expectations for snow quantity or quality since telemetry didn't indicate any significant snowfall for the last few days and we'd found nothing but nasty crust and avy debris near Snoqualmie in previous days. We were really just hoping for a nice "tour of exploration" under sunny skies and crossing our fingers that we wouldn't have to deal with 4" of fresh on top of a breakable crust.
We took a very leisurely approach to the day, arriving in the otherwise completely empty parking lot at 10:30. As we were gearing up another car arrived and as we talked to it's occupant I realized we had mutual friends and we decided to team up for the day. Talk about a small world. Brian - it was great to meet you and huge props for all the trail breaking!
our expectations remained guarded as we ascended into the basin proper. There was a bulletproof crust with 2-4" or so of super light pow on top. We were encouraged by the fact that the pow was getting deeper as we went up. 4" of pow on a solid crust isn't the worst skiing you could have by a longshot.
Once into the higher terrain we were ecstatic. To say our expectations were greatly exceeded would be an understatement. Above the floor of the basin the N. facing aspects were holding 10"+ of excellent, light powder on top of 3-4" of crunchiness with a solid crust that became less solid as you go up but was never soft enough to break all the way through with all the nice snow on top.
We ended up skiing pow under bluebird skies in bomber conditions all day and had the entire basin to ourselves until late in the day when 3 other guys climbed the ridge from the South.
Only possible downside was lots of large snowballs and a few areas of chicken heads scattered about. Just made it more like slalom skiing though.
Full set of pics here: http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n268/willhbaker/2012_02_15%20Pickhandle%20Basin/
A couple select pics:
love the action pic with the dog
Hey ,It looks like you were amply rewarded for going against sizable opinion.
Less drive to boot and doggies get to play. I'll have to remember that.
Less drive to boot and doggies get to play. I'll have to remember that.
Great pics as usual
Well said, CSW. It was great meeting you guys! Always game to break trail. What a day!
Good to see you on the slopes, guys (and dog): someone told me you had gone to Wyoming. N
Niko - Chris went to N. Dakota in October, just got home last week. I've been around but haven't skied much this season 'til now.
altasnob - thanks!
Robie - other than not going specifically to Paradise, not sure I went against everyone's advice. Stayed above 6K! Some other folks I'd talked to said conditions were good above 6K around Stevens and on the East side of the crest too, so figured 6K would be the magic number and it sure turned out to be.
Cross your fingers for more snow the next couple of days. Hoping to get out Sunday and/or Monday.
altasnob - thanks!
Robie - other than not going specifically to Paradise, not sure I went against everyone's advice. Stayed above 6K! Some other folks I'd talked to said conditions were good above 6K around Stevens and on the East side of the crest too, so figured 6K would be the magic number and it sure turned out to be.
Cross your fingers for more snow the next couple of days. Hoping to get out Sunday and/or Monday.
great pix .. love the pooch ..
i thought you injured your shoulder and would be out for a while? someone else? anyhow great to see you ripping it up ...
i thought you injured your shoulder and would be out for a while? someone else? anyhow great to see you ripping it up ...
Thanks kath!
Yes, that was me. I dislocated my shoulder and tore the labrum on NY eve at Crystal. At the time I thought it would put me out of commission as I could hardly use it for a couple of weeks thereafter but the rehab exercises are really helping. I have to be careful with my left arm, I don't arrest any left falls with it and can't lift my body weight with it so no climbing, but otherwise so far so good.
Yes, that was me. I dislocated my shoulder and tore the labrum on NY eve at Crystal. At the time I thought it would put me out of commission as I could hardly use it for a couple of weeks thereafter but the rehab exercises are really helping. I have to be careful with my left arm, I don't arrest any left falls with it and can't lift my body weight with it so no climbing, but otherwise so far so good.
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