Jan 25, Mt. Snoqualmie

Summit Photo, Mt. Snoqualmie

Summit at Snoqualmie ski area  shut down due to no water pressure.    Only option was to earn your turns.  After skiing Hyak yesterday, I was ready for a little more adventure.   Drove over to Alpental for a leisurely start up Mt. Snoqualmie.   A group was already finishing their day as I pulled into the maintenance lot to park.   Ended up with an excellent skin track up to tree line.  Dug a snow pit at 5,000 feet and found almost 2 meters of snow over a firm layer.  That's pretty deep!  Total snowpack was 345cm.    After my pit break, continued around the corner, where the skin track continued.  It looked like two people were ahead of me.  They eventually dissapeared and booted  over to the south ridge.  I continued on to the top of the slot couloir then booted/skinned up to the summit, elevation 6,280. 

Top of the Slot Couloir

Jan. 22, Crystal lift served Southback

Kevin finds a clean line,
Crystal Southback

Hooked up with Greg Louie on Monday for the drive to Crystal.   Made the hike to Southback for a couple of runs that were well worth it. 

Greg Louie makes tracks

Hooked up with Frank at lunch and skied until it was time
for beer and nachos at The Snorting Elk

Jan 19, Alpental Slackcountry

Stokes

Both gates open at Alpental today.   Lapped out Big Trees then Stokes.   Still a thinner snowpack then I would think by this time of year.   Big Trees was a little funkified.  Stokes skied very nice.  Strong wind scouring heading over to Big Trees. 

Francine

Kristin,  Big Trees

Jack

Scott checks the flex pattern of his new boots.

Francine

Scott

Jan. 12, Silver Peak

About as much view as I would get.  North Ridge of Silver Peak

Itching to get a little exercise, I headed for Silver Peak.   Walked over to Hyak and took the lift up, then  took the crossover trail to Silver Fir Lift for a mechanical lift to start the tour.   The crosscountry system was in great shape and I made great time to Ollalie Meadows.   As I climbed the lower flanks of Silver, I found fairly soft snow and good coverage.   Unfortunately Silver remained covered in cloud cover above Windy Pass.    As I neared my high point, the North Ridge of Silver, the wind intensity magnified.   I would hazard it was blowing at least 50mph.  I tucked over the ridge, on the Lake Annette side, and found enough shelter to sit down for a snack.   Skiing home, the skiing initially was quite good, followed by a stretch of skiable but not ideal soft stuff with a thin breakable crust.  Amazing to get out on a weekend and have the whole shoulder of Silver Peak to myself.  It is always a hump to get out there.

Bit Breezy

Dec. 27, Mt. Catherine

Favorite backyard ski tour.  Rode the chair up Hyak and skated out with Kelly and Scott.   Did an approach variation which may for a nice climb.  We were hampered by the low snow coverage.  Lots of large fallen trees made for interesting route finding.   Nice climb to the top followed by fairly thick snow(fluffy powder gone) and lots of small trees still poking out of snowpack.   Lot of climbing for short ski, but a good day out in the woods.

Kelly breaks trail

Scott nad Kelly

Pillow drops?

Reaching upper slopes

Summit shot

Scott's goggle shot of Kelly and Kevin

Scott dropping in at the top

Kelly

Trees

Scott, exit apron

Another

Kelly