Thurs Jan 17, Swath off Hwy 2 east of Stevens P
1/17/13
WA Stevens Pass
2217
0
Colin P. and I put in a skin trail and finished it with a boot pack to the top of Swath today.
Conditions were very firm, with windpack snow and some ice at the top. The skiing was enjoyable but we had to focus on what we were doing on the steep upper part. Best part of the trip was getting to the top, with direct sun and an incredible view. We saw no sluffing or slabs - the only thing of concern was a small cornice on the climbers left at the top. Everything was firm or had already moved. Sometime after the last storm most of the upper to middle sections had a wet side and deposited debris in the runout zone.
Parked at a turnout just before the Bible Camp. White Pine Rd is plowed (by the residents) with lots of tree debris but is clear sailing to the camp. No signs of any other people.
It was our first time and we were route finding. We took a shortcut at the first clearing. Otherwise we followed the logging road which has a well worn skin trail up it.
At the top left switchback we veered left and started up the avalanche path that is the Swath. Wouldn't want to be up there during any kind of avalanche risk.
Snow build up on the skins as we got higher. Finally called it and switched to boot pack as we got close to the top. Some wind near (but not at) the top. The wind almost felt warm for that short section we hit it.
We saw two skier tracks at the top where skied the top of the ridge. Not sure where they were headed but it wasn't the gut of the Swath.
We left Monroe at 7:30am, and got home about 5:30. I'm excited to see what else it up there. Looks like some amazing south facing lines on Rock Mtn and environs.
Conditions were very firm, with windpack snow and some ice at the top. The skiing was enjoyable but we had to focus on what we were doing on the steep upper part. Best part of the trip was getting to the top, with direct sun and an incredible view. We saw no sluffing or slabs - the only thing of concern was a small cornice on the climbers left at the top. Everything was firm or had already moved. Sometime after the last storm most of the upper to middle sections had a wet side and deposited debris in the runout zone.
Parked at a turnout just before the Bible Camp. White Pine Rd is plowed (by the residents) with lots of tree debris but is clear sailing to the camp. No signs of any other people.
It was our first time and we were route finding. We took a shortcut at the first clearing. Otherwise we followed the logging road which has a well worn skin trail up it.
At the top left switchback we veered left and started up the avalanche path that is the Swath. Wouldn't want to be up there during any kind of avalanche risk.
Snow build up on the skins as we got higher. Finally called it and switched to boot pack as we got close to the top. Some wind near (but not at) the top. The wind almost felt warm for that short section we hit it.
We saw two skier tracks at the top where skied the top of the ridge. Not sure where they were headed but it wasn't the gut of the Swath.
We left Monroe at 7:30am, and got home about 5:30. I'm excited to see what else it up there. Looks like some amazing south facing lines on Rock Mtn and environs.
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