March 22, 2008, Jim Hill

Icy on the initial approach (up drainage). Scott had to take his homemade splitboard off and walk because it lacked inside edges. Dust on crust entering the upper valley, but as usual Jim Hill delivered a top basin filled with nice (calf deep) powder over a firm, but not icy base. There was quite a group up there (~10) but we farmed the slopes efficiently so there were fresh tracks for everyone each run (I'd wait for another storm though before returning). I was surprised to see that other than Scott and I they were all telemarkers.



We were the first ones down and took a new to me route skier's far right that followed a little gully through the trees - the best snow of the day, and very fun tight turns until the last drop off where we had to negotiate some steep little trees (not too bad if you find the way). After a close encounter with a tree at the top of the last icy slope that broke a pole (luckily not any body parts) Scott took off his board and walked down, beating me to the road.

Parking isn't a problem - the service road a few hundred feet west of the old area has room for a number of cars, and there is an ok shoulder to walk back on.