Mar 4, 2012, Red Mtn L.O. Site Pt 5722' (Cle Valley
3/4/12
WA Snoqualmie Pass
3549
3
See my Thurs TR for approach.
Of the three main basins on Red Mountain 5980+, the second basin, between Points 5703' and Pt. 5722', I know the least.
This basin we hoped was a good choice knowing today would be warm and sunny and yesterday it rained to an unverified altitude. Meaning we might have good luck skiing one of the several slope aspects accessible from this basin. If the freezing level yesterday did not climb above 4500 to 5000 we could find shady powder on north through northeast aspects, if not and the sun shined, we could maybe find crust free wet powder on east through south aspects. We got neither! Basically, breakable rain crust extended to 5300+ feet on anything shady. South slopes were annihilated by mega bombs off trees and rock. Slopes were completely destroyed by pinwheels and chunks, beneath of which was challenging deep mank anyway! We did avoid having to make turns in breakable crust and had a wonderful look around for a few new lines and great peak views.
Before returning on a south slope of 38 degree rolls we dug a compression test at 5200 feet, SE aspect, 35 degree slope, that had seen morning sun. 24" down we found the early Feb rain crust with a layer of facets lying on it. CTH 22 but a surprising Q1 shear on the crust. Overall profile had increasing hardness snow (fist to 4 finger) to this crust but it was getting heavier and wet. Massive tree bombs with good weight could not release a slab but we stayed on less than 35 degree slopes as a result, though uncertain that our weight could reach the crust. Thursday our CT could not get this deeper layer to react, similar altitude and aspect.
From 4000 feet to 2600 feet the open clearcut was certainly surfable.
Overall a great day with clear sky views! Even if the skiing was sub par.
More pics of terrain: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23557848@N03/sets/72157629149544210/
Of the three main basins on Red Mountain 5980+, the second basin, between Points 5703' and Pt. 5722', I know the least.
This basin we hoped was a good choice knowing today would be warm and sunny and yesterday it rained to an unverified altitude. Meaning we might have good luck skiing one of the several slope aspects accessible from this basin. If the freezing level yesterday did not climb above 4500 to 5000 we could find shady powder on north through northeast aspects, if not and the sun shined, we could maybe find crust free wet powder on east through south aspects. We got neither! Basically, breakable rain crust extended to 5300+ feet on anything shady. South slopes were annihilated by mega bombs off trees and rock. Slopes were completely destroyed by pinwheels and chunks, beneath of which was challenging deep mank anyway! We did avoid having to make turns in breakable crust and had a wonderful look around for a few new lines and great peak views.
Before returning on a south slope of 38 degree rolls we dug a compression test at 5200 feet, SE aspect, 35 degree slope, that had seen morning sun. 24" down we found the early Feb rain crust with a layer of facets lying on it. CTH 22 but a surprising Q1 shear on the crust. Overall profile had increasing hardness snow (fist to 4 finger) to this crust but it was getting heavier and wet. Massive tree bombs with good weight could not release a slab but we stayed on less than 35 degree slopes as a result, though uncertain that our weight could reach the crust. Thursday our CT could not get this deeper layer to react, similar altitude and aspect.
From 4000 feet to 2600 feet the open clearcut was certainly surfable.
Overall a great day with clear sky views! Even if the skiing was sub par.
More pics of terrain: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23557848@N03/sets/72157629149544210/
Cool, John. Whacky snowpack -- this too shall pass. I've done a couple nice tours up there. Gotta get up there again. Thanks for bumping my memory ;)
Nice John! Red or Hex were our other options for Sunday, before we decided for easy wet pickins on Kendall. Looks like a beautiful day at least.
Thanks Gents,
No matter how many TR's us Kittitas County folks post for Red, it never seems to get popular. Guess it must be the low Salmon La Sac start. If it were only a thousand feet higher the area would be like a minature Crystal w/o the lift chairs!
I was amazed to see two folks on Pt 5703' as we were across the basin on 5722'. I am wondering if they took roughly our skin track from Thursday. Hope they didn't go home unsatisfied on account of the conditions. I still think there is a bunch of terrain up there that is worthwhile.
John
No matter how many TR's us Kittitas County folks post for Red, it never seems to get popular. Guess it must be the low Salmon La Sac start. If it were only a thousand feet higher the area would be like a minature Crystal w/o the lift chairs!
I was amazed to see two folks on Pt 5703' as we were across the basin on 5722'. I am wondering if they took roughly our skin track from Thursday. Hope they didn't go home unsatisfied on account of the conditions. I still think there is a bunch of terrain up there that is worthwhile.
John
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