02.08.13 Snoqualmie (Mt.)
2/8/13
WA Snoqualmie Pass
2064
2
(meant to post this earlier but had to be back up at the pass early the next day to teach and just didn't have time...)
Nice day on the tribal mountain with tribes abounding; AMGA-ers, slot-ers, sight-see-ers, even one with a very visceral relation to the mountain, and family. With that many people I was a bit surprised that we had the summit all to ourselves (of the dozen folks in the parking lot we were the last to leave~9am).
Glorious views! ..but swallowed by swirling clouds upon getting ready to descend... As we waited for clearing we thoroughly stomped the north bowl entry ridge trying to get something bigger to move. The further down the entry we went, the softer it got and the less wind slab there seemed to be. Our comfort level arrived before the fog let up... so we waited, and waited. Maybe lower down there's less fog? Reason enough to drop in and take a look... but it was not to be; quite the opposite, the fog got thicker, of the vertiginous tapping in the white-light-dark-kind.
No fun. After standing at the edge of the next drop mulling it over it seemed the south side (of the mountain) was holding less fog so we put on our skins to exit stage right. Three minutes into skinning a blue hole opened above us and kept getting bigger and bigger. Hallelujah! so classic! with a return to visual clarity we quickly ripped skins, gawking at the sights (and they are beautiful up there!) big smiles plastered on our faces.
Onwards!
initial tracks like drunken sailors in the fog)
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https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nPGuVnUqmVw/URk2PkKP5hI/AAAAAAAAEnM/6IjQQ9EypqQ/s800/snoq_130208_09_.jpg" />
Snow quality was of crooked excellence; variable purity; go left and scrape, stay right for the cushioned ride (or vice versa...), keep on your (proverbial) toes. Wind effects could more or less be visually discerned (or subjected to trial and error ;)).
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https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Epea_xAG8fg/URk2QS_1ywI/AAAAAAAAEnU/n3upfpj8QRY/s800/snoq_130208_12.jpg" />
The constriction was well filled consisting of soft wind-protected snow with room to move. Kept the turns light and fast and ripped this last section... very fun day! with TBill, who put in the track the day before - thanks!)
...and then a return to fog on the way out
Nice day on the tribal mountain with tribes abounding; AMGA-ers, slot-ers, sight-see-ers, even one with a very visceral relation to the mountain, and family. With that many people I was a bit surprised that we had the summit all to ourselves (of the dozen folks in the parking lot we were the last to leave~9am).
Glorious views! ..but swallowed by swirling clouds upon getting ready to descend... As we waited for clearing we thoroughly stomped the north bowl entry ridge trying to get something bigger to move. The further down the entry we went, the softer it got and the less wind slab there seemed to be. Our comfort level arrived before the fog let up... so we waited, and waited. Maybe lower down there's less fog? Reason enough to drop in and take a look... but it was not to be; quite the opposite, the fog got thicker, of the vertiginous tapping in the white-light-dark-kind.
No fun. After standing at the edge of the next drop mulling it over it seemed the south side (of the mountain) was holding less fog so we put on our skins to exit stage right. Three minutes into skinning a blue hole opened above us and kept getting bigger and bigger. Hallelujah! so classic! with a return to visual clarity we quickly ripped skins, gawking at the sights (and they are beautiful up there!) big smiles plastered on our faces.
Onwards!
initial tracks like drunken sailors in the fog)
Snow quality was of crooked excellence; variable purity; go left and scrape, stay right for the cushioned ride (or vice versa...), keep on your (proverbial) toes. Wind effects could more or less be visually discerned (or subjected to trial and error ;)).
The constriction was well filled consisting of soft wind-protected snow with room to move. Kept the turns light and fast and ripped this last section... very fun day! with TBill, who put in the track the day before - thanks!)
...and then a return to fog on the way out
Is that there Bill the one of Irish descent and from Philly???? That bum needs to call me! Where are the bluejeans?
John
John
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