March 20, Red Mt.

Hooked up with Crispin for our first trip into the Commonwealth Basin this season.  The objective was the iconic Red Mt., elevation 5,890 feet.  Red offers a big face for lots of turns.   Easy skinning led us up to the lower slope of Red.  Just above treeline we strapped the skis to our backpacks and continued on to the summit by foot.   It took us 3 hours from car to summit.   We attained the summit right about noon, then chilled out for about a half hour as we let the snow continue to soften.  Firm turns off the summit led to perfect creamy turns on the lower slopes.  Great day to be out in the mountains.

Crispin nears the summit

Two other skiers, chilling on the summit

Mt. Thompson

Firm turns off the summit

Creamy snow down low.  Avalanche debris from previous day

Red Mt. Elev. 5,890.        2,870 feet above pass level

March 15, 2020. Silver Peak Basin

Silver Peak  

Solo mission out the back door to Silver Peak.   It was a beautiful day out there.  Dropped home on a North facing chute that had very thick wind affected powder.   Probably should have done the easy basin ski.  All downhill to below Rockdale lake, then one last climb over to the frontside.

view from my highpoint, at the top of Silver Peak Basin

Apparently the groomer drove all the way up into the basin
 for some kind of rescue

Looks pretty, little thick, especially up higher

Stopped at Nordic Pass on my way to Silver

Ollalie Meadows with Granite in the distance.
  Lot of wind affect on the snow.

March 8, 2020. Avalanche Peak

Kelly making the final drop to Snow Lake after our ascent of Avalanche Peak

Thanks to motivation by big brother, Kelly, we planned a ski tour over to Snow Lake, then up to the summit of Avalanche Peak.  We were accompanied by Kelly's friend Eric, who was trying to get in shape for the Wapta Traverse, near Banff.  With extremely low expectations, due to the lack of new snow, we hooked up at Alpental at 8:30.   As usual, the parking lot was already getting full.  The uphill end was loaded with avalanche course participants, guided by Pro Ski Guiding.  The crowd of the parking lot was quickly left behind as we headed up on perfect sunny day.  The snow felt great under our skis, and as we skied up to Snow Lake Divide we began to realize we would actually have good skiing.   We had nice turns down to the lake on the protected North slop[es, then begain winding up towards Avalanche Peak, Probably about 3/4 of the way up we switched to boot packing, as the four inches of new snow was sitting on a crust that did not encourage easy skinning.   Especially as the  slopes were getting steeper.  Booting was difficult due to the thin crust not really supporting our weight.   We persevered, though, and gained the ridgeline with views of the slot and crooked couloir.   After a quick trip to the summit we enjoyed excellent skiing back down to the lake.  Great day to be out in the mountains. 

Feb 13, Silver Peak

Lower Twin Lake with the Zipper Couloir in the background

Did a little tour in the backyard, and finally got good enough conditions to summit Silver Peak.  Followed the summer route above the PCT and headed for the ridgeline.   Skied opens slopes from the summit to old growth trees, down to the upper Twin Lake.   Good turns all the way to the lake. 

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Feb. 9. Mt. Catherine

Escaped the weekend crowds and did a quick tour up Catherine.   Had a group of three ahead, breaking trail.  Didn't see anyone else.  Got fresh tracks down my favorite run.  Snow was about four inches over rain later.

Jan. 25, Silver Peak Slog

Granite Mountain in the sunshine

 It's been a little wet lately.   Today started out very moist and gray.  Keeping an eye on the weather forecast, made a break for the great outdoors at 1pm, as the skies were clearing.  Threw on some lightweight skis and headed for Silver Peak,   Made it most of the way into the upper basin.  The final pitch had snow pinwheels on both sides, so turned around just short of the top knoll in the basin.  Skiing was pretty lousy and worked on my french fry technique.  Another beautiful day in the backyard.

Large Pinwheels on gully leading up to
Silver Peak

Jan 18, End of the Cycle - Alpental Valley

Seth Davis elevates above the snowpack

After a week of cold weather and six feet plus of snow, the weather has started to warm.  It's been some good lift skiing, but it was nice to get out for a ski tour on this busy Saturday.  Hooked up with Seth and Holly and a couple of their friends for two quick laps in the Alpy backcountry.   Snow was thick and heavy.   It was quite the change from the day before, and I was glad for a short day.

Seth

Holly