April 20, 2014, Tatoosh Range, Castle
4/20/14
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2905
1
Had a late night but new snow, new gear, some optimism and a few hours to kill before dinner obligations motivated me to make the drive down.
NPS has plowed Stevens Canyon Road but the overnight snowfall made for a quick road approach. Thanks to those who set the skin track up towards Castle.
Obvious wind sculpting visible on the drive up and 6+ of dense, wet pow down low on the way up, wind packed pow up high. Hand pits near/above the treeline confirmed the presence of a potentially reactive wind slab, although jumping on isolated rollovers produced no results. In any case, I stuck to low angle terrain.
Descended at noon. A little grabby up top but probably would have been really enjoyable if I wasnt make my first turns on the lightest setup Ive skied since I was 12 year old. Would have lapped the upper half if I had more time. Mashed potatoes down low and the trees had shed most of their snow. Pinwheels and point releases visible everywhere so I stuck to the trees for the return to the car and made it to dinner almost on time.
NPS has plowed Stevens Canyon Road but the overnight snowfall made for a quick road approach. Thanks to those who set the skin track up towards Castle.
Obvious wind sculpting visible on the drive up and 6+ of dense, wet pow down low on the way up, wind packed pow up high. Hand pits near/above the treeline confirmed the presence of a potentially reactive wind slab, although jumping on isolated rollovers produced no results. In any case, I stuck to low angle terrain.
Descended at noon. A little grabby up top but probably would have been really enjoyable if I wasnt make my first turns on the lightest setup Ive skied since I was 12 year old. Would have lapped the upper half if I had more time. Mashed potatoes down low and the trees had shed most of their snow. Pinwheels and point releases visible everywhere so I stuck to the trees for the return to the car and made it to dinner almost on time.
