Feb 19 and 20, 2005, MRNP (Mazama Area and Tatoosh)
2/15/05
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
1922
0
Saturday
The forecast called for clouds throughout the day. Driving along the ridge from my house I didn't see one. By the time I arrived at the lot there was one giant cloud that stretched from Pyramid to Anvil. Anyways I ended up parking right next to Jim (jimjar). The plan was to tour with Sergio, Agata, and Eric. With Jim it was the 5 of us. Well 4 outta 5 had the same Voile 66 split so we could have been unofficially called Team Voile today.
Our path would lead us to Golden Gate. Snow was pretty manky on this sun beaten aspect. Once on top 4 of us proceeded left while the 5th ventured right. Eventually we all caught up with each other. However in the process of doing so I was reminded why it is not a good idea to try and ski in split mode. I went of a small drop, stuck it, and gathered some speed while forgetting that I still had my skins on. Well I hit a soft patch and went ass over elbows. While I gathered myself I noticed a funny feeling on my face, particularly between my eyes. Was it a mysterious 3rd eye? Could I now predict the future? Oh yeah and that warm feeling was all the blood running outta my face. So I put it on ice and continued to ride out the day. We headed towards Mazama and dropped a south facing chute into the backbowls. Felt like cream of korn. Our next line took us to some north aspects in this same area. Snow was well preserved with 6-8" of nice cascade pow. Our last line took us to back down to the PV road. Snow on this particular west aspect was protected and preserved in certain sections and crust in others. Sergio, Agata, and myself all found some boot deep pow in the gullies.
Back at the parking lot I ran into Steve, Kurt, and friends again. We rehashed our days adventure, told jokes, and spoke of trips past. All while enjoying some mighty fine Steve's Stout appropriately named after the brew master himself. On the way home I stopped by Good Sam and got patched up for tomorrow.
Sunday
After a little bloodletting from yesterday I was ready go. Rick and I headed to Rainier with intentions of carving the Nisqually Chute. Weather was looking promising with few clouds about but it was chilly. Just as we're pulling into the lot I saw Steve driving down and Kurt following. I caught Kurt and he mentioned something about the Tatoosh. Why not. At Narada Falls there was a Ronj sighting along with Maddog, JW, and friends.
So our group of Steve, Rick, Kurt, and I made our way to Foss Peak. The skin up was easy thanx to a nice track. Snow quality was best in the trees thus far. Anything that was exposed got wind blasted. Skinning up I did encounter some slippery sections. We topped the ridge not long after, took a break, and continued to Foss. Looking back at Rainier I watched the clouds cast it's shadow over a good part of the Muir snowfields, leaving everything in the shade. Must have been damn cold up there too! Didn't get too far before deciding not to continue due to poor surface conditions on the run that was intended. Instead we dropped into a north facing bowl back down to the road. Upper bowl was easily boot deep pow. The sections after the bowl was still good but lots of cliffs and rocks to pick thru. We all found a few landmines but no explosions. After a few flat sections it was time for some lines thru the trees. Snow conditions here were great too! I was able to skin all the way back to my car. Would have been nice to drop in from the road but this slope still needs 2ft plus of snow to do so. So far an excellent close to day 2 of the 3 day weekend.
Man if this gash on my face don't heal right I might have to change my moniker to scarface. ;D
The forecast called for clouds throughout the day. Driving along the ridge from my house I didn't see one. By the time I arrived at the lot there was one giant cloud that stretched from Pyramid to Anvil. Anyways I ended up parking right next to Jim (jimjar). The plan was to tour with Sergio, Agata, and Eric. With Jim it was the 5 of us. Well 4 outta 5 had the same Voile 66 split so we could have been unofficially called Team Voile today.
Our path would lead us to Golden Gate. Snow was pretty manky on this sun beaten aspect. Once on top 4 of us proceeded left while the 5th ventured right. Eventually we all caught up with each other. However in the process of doing so I was reminded why it is not a good idea to try and ski in split mode. I went of a small drop, stuck it, and gathered some speed while forgetting that I still had my skins on. Well I hit a soft patch and went ass over elbows. While I gathered myself I noticed a funny feeling on my face, particularly between my eyes. Was it a mysterious 3rd eye? Could I now predict the future? Oh yeah and that warm feeling was all the blood running outta my face. So I put it on ice and continued to ride out the day. We headed towards Mazama and dropped a south facing chute into the backbowls. Felt like cream of korn. Our next line took us to some north aspects in this same area. Snow was well preserved with 6-8" of nice cascade pow. Our last line took us to back down to the PV road. Snow on this particular west aspect was protected and preserved in certain sections and crust in others. Sergio, Agata, and myself all found some boot deep pow in the gullies.
Back at the parking lot I ran into Steve, Kurt, and friends again. We rehashed our days adventure, told jokes, and spoke of trips past. All while enjoying some mighty fine Steve's Stout appropriately named after the brew master himself. On the way home I stopped by Good Sam and got patched up for tomorrow.
Sunday
After a little bloodletting from yesterday I was ready go. Rick and I headed to Rainier with intentions of carving the Nisqually Chute. Weather was looking promising with few clouds about but it was chilly. Just as we're pulling into the lot I saw Steve driving down and Kurt following. I caught Kurt and he mentioned something about the Tatoosh. Why not. At Narada Falls there was a Ronj sighting along with Maddog, JW, and friends.
So our group of Steve, Rick, Kurt, and I made our way to Foss Peak. The skin up was easy thanx to a nice track. Snow quality was best in the trees thus far. Anything that was exposed got wind blasted. Skinning up I did encounter some slippery sections. We topped the ridge not long after, took a break, and continued to Foss. Looking back at Rainier I watched the clouds cast it's shadow over a good part of the Muir snowfields, leaving everything in the shade. Must have been damn cold up there too! Didn't get too far before deciding not to continue due to poor surface conditions on the run that was intended. Instead we dropped into a north facing bowl back down to the road. Upper bowl was easily boot deep pow. The sections after the bowl was still good but lots of cliffs and rocks to pick thru. We all found a few landmines but no explosions. After a few flat sections it was time for some lines thru the trees. Snow conditions here were great too! I was able to skin all the way back to my car. Would have been nice to drop in from the road but this slope still needs 2ft plus of snow to do so. So far an excellent close to day 2 of the 3 day weekend.
Man if this gash on my face don't heal right I might have to change my moniker to scarface. ;D
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