January 9, 2005, Bullion Basin
1/9/05
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2117
1
Sonya, Myself, and the dog left the lot at about 7:30 hoping to beat the warm air. It was snowing at the parking lot; but barely. We had an easy trail break along the Bullion Basin Summer trail to the 6479 peak. It was storming all the way up with significant winds from the South.
At the higher elevations snow quality was surprisingly good with generally unconsolidated knee deep snow on the lee side of ridges in the trees and off the ridge lines. Pretty cohesive slab development was taking place near the ridge lines. We didn't dig any pits, but after jumping on some small test slopes we convinced our selves that it was tree skiing day.
We lapped three great runs down the steep trees on the NW slope off the 6479 peak. Lots of snow sloughed and ran in the steeps and we got some small slabs to pop of the ridge top. It will be interesting to see how all of this new heavy snow bonds to the old crust beneath.
Another great day; sorry no pics.
At the higher elevations snow quality was surprisingly good with generally unconsolidated knee deep snow on the lee side of ridges in the trees and off the ridge lines. Pretty cohesive slab development was taking place near the ridge lines. We didn't dig any pits, but after jumping on some small test slopes we convinced our selves that it was tree skiing day.
We lapped three great runs down the steep trees on the NW slope off the 6479 peak. Lots of snow sloughed and ran in the steeps and we got some small slabs to pop of the ridge top. It will be interesting to see how all of this new heavy snow bonds to the old crust beneath.
Another great day; sorry no pics.