May 6, 2017, Snow Lake
5/6/17
WA Snoqualmie Pass
2346
1
Conditions first, photos later. (Edit: TAY Photo upload is not enabled for May 2017 TRs. Will upload photos when it becomes possible.)
Ann had never toured at Snoqualmie, so Kyla and I spoiled her with great views.
Brought ski crampons expecting a refrozen crust, but they weren't needed; it didn't freeze. Passed by a fresh pit on the way up the Divide, soggy snow down as deep as they dug at ~60-70 cm. It looked as though Alpy didn't open the high gate today.
Weather was changeable, randomly selecting among sun, driving snow, and moody clouds. Wind to 15+ mph at times.
Avalanche debris everywhere that one can reasonably expect debris, and lots of it. Chunks were soft and often skiable. Almost all the debris was covered by at least last night's skiff of new snow. Cornices remain up high, but a lot of them have failed.
We bopped up to Chair Peak Lake, and reversed our tracks. Ski quality was mediocre, but exceeded our low expectations often enough to be fun. Got a little bit of heavy loose wet to run as we returned over the Divide in late afternoon. Ski penetration less than boot-depth all day.
Source Lake is wide open, Snow Lake is beginning to show blue and open water in places at the margins. It was easy to get on and off the lake, but it won't last forever.
Consolidation of the upper snowpack is far from complete.
Ann had never toured at Snoqualmie, so Kyla and I spoiled her with great views.
Brought ski crampons expecting a refrozen crust, but they weren't needed; it didn't freeze. Passed by a fresh pit on the way up the Divide, soggy snow down as deep as they dug at ~60-70 cm. It looked as though Alpy didn't open the high gate today.
Weather was changeable, randomly selecting among sun, driving snow, and moody clouds. Wind to 15+ mph at times.
Avalanche debris everywhere that one can reasonably expect debris, and lots of it. Chunks were soft and often skiable. Almost all the debris was covered by at least last night's skiff of new snow. Cornices remain up high, but a lot of them have failed.
We bopped up to Chair Peak Lake, and reversed our tracks. Ski quality was mediocre, but exceeded our low expectations often enough to be fun. Got a little bit of heavy loose wet to run as we returned over the Divide in late afternoon. Ski penetration less than boot-depth all day.
Source Lake is wide open, Snow Lake is beginning to show blue and open water in places at the margins. It was easy to get on and off the lake, but it won't last forever.
Consolidation of the upper snowpack is far from complete.
author=Charlie Hagedorn link=topic=38433.msg155647#msg155647 date=1494126697]
It looked as though Alpy didn't open the high gate today.
Consolidation of the upper snowpack is far from complete.
High gate was open but high traverse was spicy to reach. Most folks rolled by knoll one. In the trees we found the most consolidated snow.
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