February 2, 2008; Yodelin
2/15/08
WA Stevens Pass
3566
6
Oh my deep! Five phenomenal knee-to-waist deep runs in heavy trees and/or lower angle terrain for about 5,200 vertical feet of snorkel conditions pow-dah skiin!
Awoke at about 4:45 this morning with a lousy sinus infection; but couldnt let it spoil a powder day. Justin and I departed from the Yodelin parking lot at dawn and soon found a day-old skin track leading up the old access road (thanks prior party!); we eventually split off from that track and Justin broke trail eastward and up to the ridgeline. Had the place to ourselves for the first 2 runs, but not many other groups out there today (great crossing paths with Monika et. al!) and plenty of powder goods to go around.
Didnt bother much with stability tests as we assumed that most everything not heavily anchored or low angle would likely slide today. Ski penetration about knee deep while skinning; Found easy clean shears (quick hand shear tests and stepping on small unsupported test rolls) in recent storm layers at multiple elevations (ranging widely from about 6 inches to 20 inches deep); 1 tap test done in hasty pit on a NW aspect near a ridge line at about 5,100-ft: easy clean shear at about 6 inches (8 wrist taps) and moderate-to-hard deep clean shear at about 4 feet deep (CT22; didnt take a close look at the crystals, but suspect the shear was on either buried surface hoar or facets atop/near the mid-January crust, and broke as a cohesive block... another scary layer to keep watching out for even after the snowpack settles more). Pole-probed several other locations over 6 feet deep without hitting the crust. (Edit to add: watch out for the tree bombs; we saw some impressive size craters today, and fortunatley the trees didn't bomb us).
Awoke at about 4:45 this morning with a lousy sinus infection; but couldnt let it spoil a powder day. Justin and I departed from the Yodelin parking lot at dawn and soon found a day-old skin track leading up the old access road (thanks prior party!); we eventually split off from that track and Justin broke trail eastward and up to the ridgeline. Had the place to ourselves for the first 2 runs, but not many other groups out there today (great crossing paths with Monika et. al!) and plenty of powder goods to go around.
Didnt bother much with stability tests as we assumed that most everything not heavily anchored or low angle would likely slide today. Ski penetration about knee deep while skinning; Found easy clean shears (quick hand shear tests and stepping on small unsupported test rolls) in recent storm layers at multiple elevations (ranging widely from about 6 inches to 20 inches deep); 1 tap test done in hasty pit on a NW aspect near a ridge line at about 5,100-ft: easy clean shear at about 6 inches (8 wrist taps) and moderate-to-hard deep clean shear at about 4 feet deep (CT22; didnt take a close look at the crystals, but suspect the shear was on either buried surface hoar or facets atop/near the mid-January crust, and broke as a cohesive block... another scary layer to keep watching out for even after the snowpack settles more). Pole-probed several other locations over 6 feet deep without hitting the crust. (Edit to add: watch out for the tree bombs; we saw some impressive size craters today, and fortunatley the trees didn't bomb us).
Nice, Chris. Thanks for the report. It was a good day everywhere.
It was agood day eveywhere. 8)
author=juan link=topic=9029.msg36455#msg36455 date=1202095787]
Nice, Chris. Thanks for the report. It was a good day everywhere.
um, i would have to dispute that -- not everywhere! :)
Great shots Cass!! Man - you do need a snorkel there.
:) Well...I guess one of the advantages of VA is that at least you don;t need a snorkel to get around...
author=kam link=topic=9029.msg36467#msg36467 date=1202105065]
um, i would have to dispute that -- not everywhere! :)
:) Well...I guess one of the advantages of VA is that at least you don;t need a snorkel to get around...
That did not suck.
Was a bit shocked at the stability. I would have expected more sluffing, particularly across the street.
Was a bit shocked at the stability. I would have expected more sluffing, particularly across the street.
i feel like i've seen these pictures before....oh wait, that was last month. does it ever stop snowing out there?? ;)
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