June 16, 2007, Chinook Pass, Naches and Yakima Peak
6/16/07
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2447
1
Saturday, June 16th, was forecasted for late rainy weather later in the day in the Chinook Pass region. It was very cloudy all the way up and once passed the Crystal Mountain RD we were surrounded by a thick fog and had to slow way down below the normal speed limit. After a 2 hour drive from Seattle, we were parked at a rest area on the Chinook Pass just after the Wenatchee National Forest sign that cross the road. There was a little mist in the air, but nothing heavy.
We were packed and had our skis on our backs and started climbing our familiar route on Naches Peak and it only took 45 minutes to summit. It was a little difficult to read the terrain because of the thick fog and the thin mist. There was also lots of debris from trees that did not poss. any threat, but we were cautious. The snow was deep and a little damp, but it was like a nice Spiegel type snow. The first run of the day was fast and very fun, and there was still a little bump left from a kicker that was made on Memorial Day weekend up that satisfied my jumping needs!
We looked back up and didn't like the looks of doing it again, so we crossed the road and climbed up the neighboring Yakima Peak. With only 30 mins. of a climb, we took a break for lunch and took some time for some pictures. The first part of the run was beautiful, nothing but snow, no debris. But towards the end we hit some bumps and it was hard to move at top speed! Once at the bottom, it started to rain heavily, but we took the chance to one more run!
Our last run of the day was amazing! Once to the top, it started snowing a little bit, which of course made me think of the great things in life, like skiing in June! We marked a head wall of which we tried to get some good pictures, it was a perfect little huck and then we raced down to the bottom in a powder 8 figuration and stopped in the rain.
I have to say, being from ME and my friend Aaron from NH, moving out the PNW was a great choice, the snow is amazing and I'm glad there are a lot of people who feel the same!
We were packed and had our skis on our backs and started climbing our familiar route on Naches Peak and it only took 45 minutes to summit. It was a little difficult to read the terrain because of the thick fog and the thin mist. There was also lots of debris from trees that did not poss. any threat, but we were cautious. The snow was deep and a little damp, but it was like a nice Spiegel type snow. The first run of the day was fast and very fun, and there was still a little bump left from a kicker that was made on Memorial Day weekend up that satisfied my jumping needs!
We looked back up and didn't like the looks of doing it again, so we crossed the road and climbed up the neighboring Yakima Peak. With only 30 mins. of a climb, we took a break for lunch and took some time for some pictures. The first part of the run was beautiful, nothing but snow, no debris. But towards the end we hit some bumps and it was hard to move at top speed! Once at the bottom, it started to rain heavily, but we took the chance to one more run!
Our last run of the day was amazing! Once to the top, it started snowing a little bit, which of course made me think of the great things in life, like skiing in June! We marked a head wall of which we tried to get some good pictures, it was a perfect little huck and then we raced down to the bottom in a powder 8 figuration and stopped in the rain.
I have to say, being from ME and my friend Aaron from NH, moving out the PNW was a great choice, the snow is amazing and I'm glad there are a lot of people who feel the same!
According to the lobsterman of Winter Harbor I "sailed all the way from Washington state" when I lived there for a time in the early 90's. So, you "sailed all the way from the state of Maine" to ski in June. Welcome to where the sun sets into the sea.
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