April 14, 2012, Mt. Rainier Nisqually Chutes
4/14/12
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
3153
3
Nick, Scott V, Mike, Jason and I headed out to Rainier to do the Nisqually Chutes today and had the pleasure to meet Telemack and Dave in the parking lot at Paradise.... and later ski the descent route with them.
Great ski as the chutes and glacier are in good condition after a week with lots of sunny, warm days and freezing temps at night. We entered the main chute around noon. The upper part has a bit of debris from some recent sloughs that were soft enough to ski through in spots, a bit harder in others but there were plenty of places to put in turns on the softening snow on top of a firm base. Once down the steeper part of the main chute, we found great conditions with a very smooth, softening surface layer on top of a still firm base. Skied perfectly all the way down below 4,500 feet and we never encountered any schmoo even as we approached the bridge. The only problem in the last 500 feet or so was that the snow became a bit grabby in spots, which I'm guessing was from dust from the rock faces or perhaps some pollen? Coverage is good all the way to the bridge right now.
A great day out there... should still be in good shape tomorrow.
Great ski as the chutes and glacier are in good condition after a week with lots of sunny, warm days and freezing temps at night. We entered the main chute around noon. The upper part has a bit of debris from some recent sloughs that were soft enough to ski through in spots, a bit harder in others but there were plenty of places to put in turns on the softening snow on top of a firm base. Once down the steeper part of the main chute, we found great conditions with a very smooth, softening surface layer on top of a still firm base. Skied perfectly all the way down below 4,500 feet and we never encountered any schmoo even as we approached the bridge. The only problem in the last 500 feet or so was that the snow became a bit grabby in spots, which I'm guessing was from dust from the rock faces or perhaps some pollen? Coverage is good all the way to the bridge right now.
A great day out there... should still be in good shape tomorrow.
Nice report.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Great day on the mountain. Glad that the chute and lower glacier skied well. Our group decided to do the basic Muir Snowfield. Skiing was better than expected, the weather mostly sunny and surprisingly calm, and the views spectacular, of course. I was looking at enviously at your tracks. Also scoping tracks of a group skiing the Cowlitz below Muir. Will have to look at that route -- assume that you head back toward the Paradise below Anvil?
Thanks for the post, Andy. Fine tour, and fun to link up with some of the fellas.
As Dave said, it was about as good as could be top to bottom! Some debris chickenheads up high, but most were smashable. Perfect cruising most of the way down in variable light. A few one-minute whiteouts were interesting. There is very deep coverage until near the end; big roll-y snow runnels are forming down low.
The snow season's well into spring,
So the skiers went for a Muir fling.
The Nisqually Chute
Was carved up real cute,
Then we sped to the bridge with a zing.
As Dave said, it was about as good as could be top to bottom! Some debris chickenheads up high, but most were smashable. Perfect cruising most of the way down in variable light. A few one-minute whiteouts were interesting. There is very deep coverage until near the end; big roll-y snow runnels are forming down low.
The snow season's well into spring,
So the skiers went for a Muir fling.
The Nisqually Chute
Was carved up real cute,
Then we sped to the bridge with a zing.
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