Jan 3, Rampart

Snowshoers - they seem to have multiplied like bunny rabbits.  Maybe it's Costco's fault for selling them so cheap.  We finally pushed beyond their endurance level and got some fresh tracks.  Went with the unknown and hoped  the couloir run was filled in.  We just barely made it through the crux. 

Upper slopes were good
in the shade.

Collin enters the gut.

Hmmm, missing some snow.

Vegetation belay through the crux.

Jan 10, Crusty Trees Across the Street

Don Hecker called at 7:30am.   What are you doing?   I said come on up.  Do you have a snow park permit, because we can go across the street from my house?    Don had permit, so we were good to go!   The climb up was great, beautiful views up Gold Greek valley and back towards the Snoqualmie ski areas.  We wrapped up the ridge heading for the funnel coolie, but the sidehilling through the trees, near the top, got pretty firm.   We decided to rip our skins, and skied a nice Steep line through the trees.   Unfortunately the powder in the trees was only 4-6 inches over the firm rain crust.  Still fun, but I have to go back with a little better snowpack.   Thanks for the exercise Don.

Don looking good in the trees.

Nice snow, out in the open.

March 12, Rampart Ridge

Skinned up to the funnel run with Frank. Snow was a little crusty, so we ducked into the trees, where the snow was nice and fluffy. Starting to become a new favorite area. Just need to break down and buy a sno-park permit.

Feb 22, Funnel Coolie

The Funnel Run

Greg carves up the top.

Kevin finding some soft snow


This is where it gets interesting. Gold creek can be seen at the bottom of the valley.

Well I hadn't seen Greg in quite a while. Unfortunately between the restaurant, the bad snow year, and his dad falling ill, he has not been able to ski much. So, with the weather calling for rain on Sunday, I did not really expect to see him. I was having a nice breakfast of french toast and bacon with Francine when, at 8:57, I get a call from Greg. "Hey I am on the Alpental road. Are you ready to ski?" I quickly invited him over to the house, and started to shower and get my gear together. Greg was not too picky on what he wanted to ski, so I took him to the house window and pointed out the Funnel Run across the valley. I had lived at Hyak for ten years, and still had not skied what looked to be an excellent ski line. I had scoped out the approach last week, so quickly cruised up to the base of the funnel. The snow was about 4" deep of crusty snow. Skinning went quick, and soon we were at the crux, below the funnel. We strapped the skis on our packs and booted up the spout of the funnel. Once out of the constriction, we were able to put our skis back on and skin up to the ridge. We ended up at the top right corner of the funnel. After a quick peek over the backside, and a little lunch we started our ski descent. First turns were a little sketch, then we caught some nice powder lingering near the trees. We gingerly skied through the constriction, where an exposed rock demanded careful navigating, then we enjoyed some smooth snow, warmed by the nice weather, down to the logging road approach. Good to ski a new line! Nice to finally tour with Greg.

"X" Run Feb. 9, 2009

The view of Hyak from the top

Interesting Terrain

Waiting for the shuttle

It was getting late in the day and I had some energy to burn. From our house at Hyak, we can look across the valley and see a couple of runs off the close end of rampart ridge. One, I call the funnel couloir, and the other, which drops off from the summer hanglider launch point, the X run. This due to their shapes. The X is due to how they logged off the hillside. I have always looked at these runs, meaning to do them some day. However since you need a snow park permit to park at Gold Creek, I never quite got over there. Today with Francine offering to drop off and pick me up, I decided to do an exploratory tour to locate the route to the funnel run. Headed up the Ski-Tur Valley road(gold creek valley) and then branched off towards Rampart on a well defined logging road. The trail had obviously been well traveled by snowshoers and some skiers. Happily the logging road led right up to the base of the Funnel couloir. Due to dusk, I started at 3:30, I didn't have time to do the Funnel, but thought I could make it up to the hanglider launch site. Connected logging roads for an easy tour to the top. Switched to down hill and made the very steep jaunt back down to the road. Some very nice terrain. Will definitely be back!