April 9, 2006, Mount Pilchuck
4/9/06
WA Cascades West Slopes Central
2055
0
Given the avy conditions, we played it safe and headed for ol pilchuck. Even though there is a sign at the blue bridge that say road closed in 1 mile, there was no snow until about mile 4, and the real snow starts at mile 5.3. Skinned in rain until TH where the snow was falling. Skinned up the north face route noticing good conditions in generally. Started to warm up as the sun tried to poke though but never did. Lots of sluff off of lil pilchuck. Never seen the terrain so filled in up there. Past the saddle there were lots of sluffs coming down from above, but nothing to be alarmed about.
Made it to the summit and dug for about 15 minuutes to gain access to the lookout tower.
Skied down from the top, 3-4" of fresh on an ice wind blow crust. Sent a few loose slabs down. Once near the saddle, I set about 2 10' wide, 6" deep slabs down the mtn. Very wet and slow moving. Ince we got down past the saddle, we set 8-10 slabs loose each, all about 10-15 feet wide, 4-8 inches deep. Never seen so much activity on Pilchuck, especially on the lower angled terrain.
Lower section sucked, survival skiing, but barely ever got enough speed to get down the raod as fast as we would have liked to, should have brought the slush wax along.
Made it to the summit and dug for about 15 minuutes to gain access to the lookout tower.
Skied down from the top, 3-4" of fresh on an ice wind blow crust. Sent a few loose slabs down. Once near the saddle, I set about 2 10' wide, 6" deep slabs down the mtn. Very wet and slow moving. Ince we got down past the saddle, we set 8-10 slabs loose each, all about 10-15 feet wide, 4-8 inches deep. Never seen so much activity on Pilchuck, especially on the lower angled terrain.
Lower section sucked, survival skiing, but barely ever got enough speed to get down the raod as fast as we would have liked to, should have brought the slush wax along.
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