February 16, 2008, Snoqualmie Pass

Skied near the pass today, an interesting variety of conditions.  It was 32 degrees exactly when we started skiing, fortunately snowing not raining like last week.  Easy uphill skiing compared to the knee deep tough work the past few weeks, sadly that meant not such great downhill conditions.

Above 5000' was windpacked powder, some amazing windcarved snow in places I had never seen it.  It felt sad to feel a firm base not too deep, the awesome conditions of the past two month have ended perhaps.  From 5000' to 4000' we found  a thin crust, perhaps from rain?  In the trees was about 2" heavy powder on an icy base.  From 4000' to 3000' was a couple inches of corn on a not so firm crust.  Below 3000' was deep slush.  At least there was no trap crust where we skied.

Weather was foggy  until 2PM or so, then clearing.

Lots of variety, and tomorrow will bring more change with sunshine?