May 20 and 21, 2006, Mystery slot, WA Cascades

Having seen this slot on a previous trip, we were hoping to go back and ski it.  2500 vf from top to bottom of the slot, 3000 vf if you get the summit.  It was hard to tell from the photo if it would go, suspected possible ice/vertical snow steps in the upper section.

The approach was about 10 miles of mixed trail, bushwacking and a little skiing.  We left it till too late in the year.  Swamps, devils club, hairy river crossings (everything was in flood stage) and a late start for the approach made for a memorable trip.

After all of the suffering on the way in, it looked good from the bottom.  Pretty excited now, it looks doable.  Skinned the avalanche fan up to the first constriction and then started booting.  Around the (climbers) left turn, it is still looking good.  After the right turn, there was a coulple hundred more feet of steeper snow and then rocks.  Too bad we waited so long this year, it might go all the way in good conditions.  The picture looking down was taken a little below the upper turn, below the steepest part.  The skiing was excellent, 2000 vf of just softed snow on a firm base.  It started to get mushy only at the bottom of the avalanche fan.

5 1/2 hour approach day, 13 hour ski day, it started raing as we were returning to camp.  Rained pretty good as we were packing and then cleared on the way out.  Not too bad, if we get the whole thing next year, we'll post the location.