March 27, Yakima

Watching rain fall is never very exciting.  A quick look at the weather in Eastern Wa. revealed that Yakima was suppose to be 65 degrees, warm, and sunny.   I packed the bikes in the cars to keep them dry and we headed for the sun.  We have been riding Rocky Top the last couple of times in Yakima, but this time we opted for our old favorite Cowiche Canyon.   Trails were in amazing shape, and the small desert ground flowers were in full bloom.   So nice to be able to drive to sunshine. 

March 17, NE Shoulder of Chair Peak

Hooked up with Kelly and Eric again for a little ski tour.  Headed up the Alpental Valley to drop over the NE shoulder of Chair Peak.  Currently we are in a bit of a freeze thaw cycle.  Skinning up above source lake was not overly enjoyable.  Luckily the slopes had been dusted with a little fresh snow overnight that allowed our ski edges to get enough bite that we did not have to resort to pulling out the ski crampons.  Above the thumb tack we found a less supportive crust that made our boot to the ridgeline a bit interesting.   Views off the backside to Snow Lake were glorious as usual.  Snow surface had a little wind feathering but overall looked pretty sweet.  Dropped off ridge in what felt like six inches of untracked snow over a firm crust layer.  As we approached the lake, the fresh snow had unfortunately slid off the crust layer making for a firm descent down to the lake.   From the lake, I lazied out and headed for snow lake divide and home, while Kelly and Eric, made a lap up under Roosevelt Peak.  Another good day in the backyard.

Kelly heads up into Chair Peak basin

Eric leads the final boot section

Eric

Kelly dropping in off the ridge

Eric

Kelly

Eric makes turns on the final pitch before Snow Lake

March 7, Alpental and Wonder Gully

Missed the Tuesday powder fest at Alpental due to some errands in Seattle.  Did manage to get in a good mountain bike ride at Grand Ridge.  My body is definitely no longer in mountain biking shape.   Anyhow, settled for leftovers in the Alpental side-country.   We poked around and found some good powder stashes.  After 3 laps decided to mix it up and get a little more exercise.  Dropped into Pineapple Basin from Ch. 2 then switched to uphill mode and skinned to Bryant Pass.   The wonder gully had a few tracks, but was well filled in with our excellent March snowpack.  Good day.

Crispin - No Fog

Scott

Crispin on the rollover to Pineapple Basin

Crispin dropping in from Bryant Pass

Shoulder of Chair Peak

Bryant Peak above Crispin and Wonder Gully on right leading
to Bryant - Chair Pass

Dropping into the exit gully.

March 4, Silver Peak

Headed out to Silver Peak with my brother Kelly and his friend Eric.  They are planning on doing the Haute Route in April so wanted to get some solid touring done.   It's always a hump to get out to Silver, but it is sure nice when you are there.   There was a little evidence of 3 people skiing the area on Saturday, but we didn't see anyone today.   After the bluebird weather Saturday, we were a little shocked by how hard it snowed all day Sunday.   Oh well, no view, but the turns were great.   We did a couple laps in the upper basin then headed home.  For a five hour tour, it seemed like we got maybe ten minutes of good turns.  Great area, nice and quiet, just a little too far away to balance out the work to reward balance.    With the grey weather, only took a couple of photos.

Kelly and Eric head to our high point
in Silver Peak basin.

Nice snow!  Eric

February 26, Skiing pow around the Neigborhood.

With Alpental closed on Mondays, we broke out our climbing gear and headed for one of Tim's private stashes.   Avalanche danger was still pretty high, so it was nice to stay in the trees.   Had a Hyak crew of Scott, Tim, Randi Rae, Pat and myself.   Fun times in the backyard and a great start to the best pow week of the year.  Video Link

Scott crosses a small pond as we head for the top of the ridge

Pat and Randi Rae

Snow Skating

Randi

Tim Cruises

Pat

Getting Tighter

Pat and Randi Rae were celebrating
some kind of anniversary

More Tim

Scott