January 1, 2013, Mt Rainier, Tatoosh
1/1/13
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
1892
3
Skied to (east-of-) Castle Saddle. There was a small crowd climbing Narada Face, but I didn't see anyone else until I was hanging out at the saddle.
Beautiful day, great conditions. Amazing powder for being so old. A little wind affected in the upper basin, very nice in sheltered areas. No stability issues noted. A lot of hoar everywere.
I took the first well-tracked route heading up the hill near Reflection Lake, which was a mistake. It wasnt too bad but it had a lot of switchbacks and short, steep sections. On my descent, I came out further east, near the summer trail, which looked like it had a better up track.
Narada Face was pretty beat-up by the time I came down around 2:00. Still good snow in the undisturbed parts, but the disturbed parts were a little disturbing.
Beautiful day, great conditions. Amazing powder for being so old. A little wind affected in the upper basin, very nice in sheltered areas. No stability issues noted. A lot of hoar everywere.
I took the first well-tracked route heading up the hill near Reflection Lake, which was a mistake. It wasnt too bad but it had a lot of switchbacks and short, steep sections. On my descent, I came out further east, near the summer trail, which looked like it had a better up track.
Narada Face was pretty beat-up by the time I came down around 2:00. Still good snow in the undisturbed parts, but the disturbed parts were a little disturbing.
author=crustos link=topic=26788.msg112891#msg112891 date=1357103444]
No stability issues noted.
There was a skier-triggered avalanche near the rocky face of Castle (skier's far left at the saddle) around 2-3 pm in the afternoon. We didn't see it -- happened between our first and second laps -- but witnesses said that skier was able to ski out of it. It appeared fairly shallow, but deposited a surprising amount of debris.
But yes, what an excellent day!
Dumb question - does this mean the park road to Paradise is open on tues/wed this week (holiday week)? Was thinking of heading that way tomorrow.
Nice report and not surprised it's still holding powder.
That doesn't surprise me either I've seen that let go under a skier several times . It's a touch spot.
I'm thinking park rd. to paradise will not be open as Jan. 2nd is not a holiday and would fall under the tues./ wed. closure. Check the Park twitter in the morning (if they post! )
https://twitter.com/MountRainierNPS
There was a skier-triggered avalanche near the rocky face of Castle (skier's far left at the saddle) around 2-3 pm in the afternoon.
That doesn't surprise me either I've seen that let go under a skier several times . It's a touch spot.
I'm thinking park rd. to paradise will not be open as Jan. 2nd is not a holiday and would fall under the tues./ wed. closure. Check the Park twitter in the morning (if they post! )
https://twitter.com/MountRainierNPS
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