December 26, 2012, Bear Gap, Crystal Mt

12/26/12

WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)

2587

3

Posted by Chuck C on 12/27/12 1:16pm

Climbed up Quicksilver to the turnoff to Silver Basin then an immediate left and contoured out to the base of the run. No previous skin track so it was breaking trail in the deep and fluffy all the way. Climbed up the side of the run to the Gap skied then repeated 2X more. Each run was knee deep plus high quality powder. After 3 laps we exited via Boondoggle, which was pretty nice too.

Stablity on the route wasn't a problem. Hand shears, kick turns and pole tests just showed unconsolidated, deep snow. Several spots poles just kept going in. NWAC rating was considerable and there were a number of natural releases on the slopes up on Pickhandle. One was slab whose crown was pretty clear. It seemed to have an apex at an almost buried tree. Most of the others looked to be loose snow slides one of which was triggered by a bit of cornice breaking off. Ridge up to Pickhandle from the gap was pretty corniced. We just stuck to other aspects and were not dissappointed.

Pics here, all okayed by the photographers.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chuckcphotos/sets/72157632359045923/

12/27/12 3:34pm

r1de

Good pics, looks like a good trip.

12/28/12 6:28am

edgesport

Man I miss the North and South backcountry of that place. I taught skiing there in the 80's when maybe only 20% of skiers had the ability to properly shred that terrain on 200+cm skinny skis.

December 26, 2012, Bear Gap, Crystal Mt

Reply to this TR