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April 2020 Random Shots
2020, the year of Covid 19. Stay out of the woods. Don't leave your house. Don't do anything risky. Be very careful at Safeway or you may die. In the face of massive online criticism of those that attempted to live a normal life in the outdoors, I have refrained from posting up my "risky" lifestyle. I do have a handful of pictures cluttering up my cell phone. So while trapped indoors enjoy a few photos of the outside world. Peace
April 2, Steep Skiing with Seth
Seth has been isolating with his family in their condo at Alpental. With perhaps one of the best backyards at the pass, I figured it was time to give him a call. You know, just skiing in the backyard. Seth had his eye on a line that was a little steep. We rolled out of bed early, and watched the sunrise as we made our first climb. Snow is still holding up good on North aspects. Our first lap was a hoot. Our second lap was a little steeper, and got our heart rate elevated. After careful first turns, slope opened up and skied awesome. Check this run off the list.
April 1, 2020 Mt. Catherine
Hooked up with Greg again to do a tour starting from the house. With more and more pressure to not recreate in the woods, we thought we would stay in the backyard. Luckily I have a big backyard.
RISK - A situation involving exposure to danger. Social media seems to be condemning those who ski or hike in the woods as selfish and too risky. I say if you want to look at a risky activity, go to Costco or ride public transit. I have always strived to self isolate in the backcountry and will continue to do so. I mean, who wants to go skiing where the slopes are all tracked out. Mt. Catherine is one of those places that is just far enough away that I can almost always find fresh tracks after a storm. Today we were the only group that skied off the summit ridgeline, and the snow was excellent.
March 30, 2020 Alpental
Sometimes you just need to get outside....
Greg gave me a call as he drove over Mercer Island. I was busy painting a closet with Francine. Damn, thank God that Greg called and got me out of the house. I pulled up to Alpental at noon. Greg was fully geared up and ready to go. I guess he didn't have much traffic on the drive to the mountain. We quickly headed up the ski hill. As we crested over the top of the Armstrong Express chair the thin crowd got thinner. Only two skiers were ahead of us, heading to the top of chair 2.
We opted for the International side for our descent and got first tracks. Probably one of the best descents down International that I have had. Absolutely no tracks, no people, no rope lines. Just Greg and I and a foot of powder that chased after you as you pointed your skis down the fall line.
Greg gave me a call as he drove over Mercer Island. I was busy painting a closet with Francine. Damn, thank God that Greg called and got me out of the house. I pulled up to Alpental at noon. Greg was fully geared up and ready to go. I guess he didn't have much traffic on the drive to the mountain. We quickly headed up the ski hill. As we crested over the top of the Armstrong Express chair the thin crowd got thinner. Only two skiers were ahead of us, heading to the top of chair 2.
We opted for the International side for our descent and got first tracks. Probably one of the best descents down International that I have had. Absolutely no tracks, no people, no rope lines. Just Greg and I and a foot of powder that chased after you as you pointed your skis down the fall line.
Lower International skied pretty good as well:
Couple more shots taken by Greg:
After skiing Lower International, we toured up the cat track to the top of the Armstrong Express and toured up the ridge looker's left from the unload station. Normally out of bounds, with no ropes or patrol we had virgin territory to explore. After a short climb we dropped the short pitch back to the front side and headed for the cars. What a great day to get outside.
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