April 20, 2003, Circuit of 5476, Stevens

From the Stevens Pass ski area (closed, but populated by a large Mountaineers snow travel field trip and snowmobilers) we climbed Skyline Ridge past Skyline Lake to the ridge crest at 5300', descended, traversed and climbed to Pt. 5476 (aka Tye Peak). Two 700vf runs on its SE face. We didn't descend further as the crust was failing (and we were falling). Descended  steep NW face (hard snow on the first half was a little too exciting, then it was breakable mush). At this point we decided it was more of a 'touring' than a 'turning' day. So we followed the Nason Creek drainage easterly to access the unnamed tributary of the drainage that we had crossed on our first descent. Completed the loop by ascending this drainage to the 5300' ridge crest and descending Skyline Ridge to the car. No one else. No proximate avalanche activity, but several recent slides, most starting on rock outcrops. Good weather and views. 4600vf, 8 miles.