November 4: Stevens Pass In-Bounds

(Posting here because November is locked)

With all the snow this past week, we decided to try for some in-bound turns at Stevens Pass. Starting at the base, we started out at Hogsback and trended skier's left until we reached the top of Skyline Express. The coverage was slightly patchy down low but became consistent powder about 300 feet up. That made the skin fine as long as we avoided anything lumpy. We ripped skins under Skyline's roof to take advantage of the shelter because it was snowing (probably just under an inch an hour) and enjoyed a snack with our backs to a strong wind. Coming down, we sought fresh snow until we accepted that the snowmobile track hid the rocks better, eventually sticking to the track the rest of the way. This was my first time out since May, but it marked my friend Mike's 12th month of TAY. That's the first time he's done a full year, so we were pretty geeked that he got to do it on fresh powder.

Along the route down, we ran into two groups of park riders shaking out the cobwebs by building kickers and hitting rails. Everybody was happy to be able to get out with decent snow on November 4th. Anyone who can make it out tomorrow should get some solid turns.