May 14, 2015, 60% chance rain100% chance Birthday

The weather suggested 60% chance of rain, but  my ski partners were calling for 40% chance of sun!  They were mostly right, the skiing was not all that great after two days of rain, but the company was, and It was Mikes Birthday so our choice was obvious.  For those of you who frequent this place, you may recall the odd ritual Mike likes to accomplish on his day of birth.  This year was no exception, so for those of you with fragile constitutions, turn back now!The Blue lake parking had just one other vehicle, no surprise really given the gloppy condition of the snow.  By the time we made it to the 6000 foot level our skins were icing nicely, but we were out of it 500 feet below the col, on about three inches of new.  The ski down to Copper Creek was fun, with a little slough management required in some of the steeper sections.  It was in here somewhere that Mike went au natural,  Dan had never been witness to such madness, and did manage to snap a picture or two for blackmail.  By the time we made the bottom of the run the snow was truly saturated sticky mush.  Our tentative plans for a longer tour turned into shorter is better, and we headed for the next pass.  We had a handful of fun turns off the pass, but by the time we were down 500 feet we were in truly demanding snow.  Dan and I were on modest size skis, and we were working for every turn, but Mike's monster Clara Lites were making it look easy.  Cupcakes back at the car finished off the birthday tour.  The snow is going fast, make haste if you need a Washington Pass tour.