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April 28, 2016, Crystal ski area

4/28/16
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
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Posted by silaswild on 4/28/16 12:59pm
Crystal (in the weather shadow of Rainier) was the choice today after the disappointment of foggy webcams everywhere despite a great forecast.  We waited at the base a few hours for clearing which didn't happen and then headed up for some exercise with the Birds when they arrived. The tour to the King was obscure for us except for a few minutes near the final ridge climb. Meanwhile our friends texted us photos of blue skies at the Paradise Glacier.

The foggy descent was on 1-2" fresh, wet and sticky, on a firm base. Good exercise and better than a day watching the screen. 
Ditto on Silver except the fog on the final ridge did not relent and there was no firm snow anywhere.

Road to Silver Pk status?

There is a deep patch of snow just past the bridge where you turn towards Silver. Patchy snow for about a mile after that then solid snow.   You are basically skinning from Keechelus.  A SUV was stuck in the bridge patch yesterday. I would recommend going in via Ski Acres unless your into extra credit suffering.


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silaswild
2016-04-28 19:59:54