March 10-11, 2007, got rain? stevens pass

Sometimes the rigid schedule of a class and the weather clash in a rather unfortunate (and sometimes humorous) way.  The WAC backcountry travel class had its final field trip this weekend which was an overnighter up near Union and Lichtenberg.  The students were all real troopers and everyone was still game for an overnighter even though we knew the forecast was going to be...interesting.

Fortunately it stayed dry long enough on Saturday morning that we got to camp and set up tents before the Pineapple Express arrived.  By Saturday afternoon the snow showers started up and eventually switched to rain.  While out on a tour Sat afternoon a few of us got to witness (from a safe distance) a glide crack on Lichtenberg release and slide to the ground.  The south side of Union had debris everywhere by the time we saw it Saturday afternoon.

Saturday night was wet, Sunday morning was wetter, and as expected we abandoned our plans for another short tour that morning and made a beeline for the cars and the Sultan Bakery. 

Most valuable lessons learned....15'x20' tarps are worth their weight...and Goretex sprayed with TX Direct only works well for the first day.

[Edit: made date first in title]