May 11, 2003, Muir
5/11/03
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2208
1
I spent the night in the parking lot- to get an early departure. But I guess the Longmire gate is not closed any more?? Woke up to cars coming into lot, got up, did breakfast and hit the snow @ 7:30, air temp 30 degrees, typical frozen, & boot tracked. Skinned to below Pan Pt., Crampons up- could have booted it up existing holes; but that isn't any fun and since I carried them I had to use them??? There was a couple inches of light crystaline snow on top of hard pack all the way to Muir, got there just after 11:00, BS'ed with some climbers that had to go back to camp early, tried to phone Mom on Mom's day, could hear but not talk.
Snow field was in pretty good shape- not too many tracks at least not yet- there were bunches going up as I was headed down. Skied down where I climbed, snow drasticaly changed there and then to slush & mush, mostly followed my tracks to keep speed up- sorta my initial plan, just didn't expect it to be that soft so early. Got back to Paradise at 12:05 to see the parking lot filling, air temp 54 degrees (in lot),felt warmer- lots of sun, the van was nice and warm. Great views fom below Muir, as encountered from other trips the 10,000 foot level seems to atract the clouds- so best views were below.
Snow field was in pretty good shape- not too many tracks at least not yet- there were bunches going up as I was headed down. Skied down where I climbed, snow drasticaly changed there and then to slush & mush, mostly followed my tracks to keep speed up- sorta my initial plan, just didn't expect it to be that soft so early. Got back to Paradise at 12:05 to see the parking lot filling, air temp 54 degrees (in lot),felt warmer- lots of sun, the van was nice and warm. Great views fom below Muir, as encountered from other trips the 10,000 foot level seems to atract the clouds- so best views were below.