February 23, 2003, Bullion Basin
2/23/03
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2596
2
Just like some frequent posters on this list seem never to go anywhere but Rainier, I confess to being a Bullion Basin addict. We had another great day there today, luckily the sun was obscured in the morning so the snow was not affected by it.
There was a moderately strong breeze from the East however, so many of our usual ski runs were windcrusted or hardened. That led us to explore some new aspects before ending on the West facing terrain above the basin itself. We did several runs from just below the crest near East Peak, finding open slopes lightly crusted but good powder runs in the lee of timber, maybe not quite as good as last Monday. The variety of snow just a few yards apart was greater than usual, but we felt conditions were generally stable on western aspects.
Timbered north facing slopes sheltered from wind will probably be the best place to look for good skiing the next few days.
There was a moderately strong breeze from the East however, so many of our usual ski runs were windcrusted or hardened. That led us to explore some new aspects before ending on the West facing terrain above the basin itself. We did several runs from just below the crest near East Peak, finding open slopes lightly crusted but good powder runs in the lee of timber, maybe not quite as good as last Monday. The variety of snow just a few yards apart was greater than usual, but we felt conditions were generally stable on western aspects.
Timbered north facing slopes sheltered from wind will probably be the best place to look for good skiing the next few days.
Actually, the North slope(s) were somewhat windpacked.
We skied down the Union Creek side finding a somewhat crusty surface. Yes, one did push through - yet the snow quality was quite better on the Bullion Basin side. The moderate laoding of light snow from the North , I would infer, should keep the South slopes quite nicely as long we have low temperatures.
hs
We skied down the Union Creek side finding a somewhat crusty surface. Yes, one did push through - yet the snow quality was quite better on the Bullion Basin side. The moderate laoding of light snow from the North , I would infer, should keep the South slopes quite nicely as long we have low temperatures.
hs
Nothing wrong with being a BB adict, Silas. Lots of great terrain up there. Great report.
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