Alpental ski patrol with some of the basics of the “Back Bowls”.
We lucked out for the New Year, with Alpental Patrol gifting us the Nash Gate, to access the goods for the first time off the Great Scott Traverse. Another surprise was the posting up of patrollers at the gate, checking beacons and Back Bowl passes. This stopped one hundred or so skiers and riders for the first lap, giving Karter and myself time to cherry pick our lines. It was very dreamy in places as you’ll see in the vid.
Just in time for Christmas, the green light was given to open the lower part of Alpental on 12/23/18. The conditions were dust on crust, but actually skied far better than I’d expected. Think big SNOW!
Seven days past our average opening up here on Snouqulmie Pass, we finally loaded the lifts at Summit West. December 14th was the day it happened, we most certainly would have enjoyed a banger powder opening but just to be skiing at home lift served, was good enough for us.
Everything is stacking up nicely, even if the Summit at Snoqualmie is 3 days past their average annual opening of December 7th. As I opened the door and took a look at the fresh 3 to 4 inches, it seemed a little light for a lap on Hyak’s low covered face. However, by the time a decision was made, it had warmed up turning to rain at the base, so we went for it. Hoping it would keep us from hitting any land sharks. Below is a short vid of today’s conditions. Think big SNOW and get out and get some, too!
That Thanksgiving storm that hit the Cascades, definitely provided a lot more fun for our Stevens Pass homies. Check out the sweet video below that Jeff Rich put together of the recent goods.
The Saturday following Thanksgiving ’18, the first skiable snowfall from the day prior now was consolidated a little more. So, Jerad and I decided to test the waters of Summit Central’s steeper terrain. First we did a lap down Alpine, hitting no sharks, then we grab the freshies on Triple 60 face. Good to be skiing at home, again!
Exlaining, to Allison, how to ride a chair lift… 😉
I was pretty thankful to be skiing at home the day after Thanksgiving ’18, with my running partner (soon to be skier) Allison. We started our post turkey day adventure, climbing Hyak in our boots, only to find close to 13″ 3/4’s the way up the face. After we booted the face and rallied down the Summer road, we headed for Summit West. This time with skis 🙂 Not too exciting of a video below, other than I was excited not to drive 3 hours to ski.
Xanado is a mountain bike trail located just outside the small town of Pashastin, WA… A mountain bike trail that is TOP SHELF. The climb up is an easy grade, that gives you some nice views of the Xanado ridge, you’ll soon be riding. If you are in route from Seattle and need to grab some bike parts or tech service, be sure to stop into the Ride Roslyn shop! Not only will the Ride Roslyn team keep your bike rolling, they aren’t afraid to share their favorite trails (which this one is high on the list). This trail is definitely on the top of my list!
Great day on Mt. Rainier’s Muir Snowfield… Above the clouds.
Great day walking and skiing with my homie, Jerad Merbs! Always a good day when we get out to ski and this adventure led us to the Paradise parking of the Mt. Rainier National Park. Between Longmire and Paradise, the rain chnaged over to snow, which we walked in all the way below Pan Point. Super cool to walk out of the snow into the full sunshine. EPIC! There were only 3 skin tracks in front of us, and a few ski skinners behind us and besides one military training mission. Other than that, the mountain was quite. I shouldn’t say quiet, because there happened to be a sheet of ice over all of the rocks at Camp Muir that was popping off in the warm sunshine. Trippy sounding, like glass shattering!
Our ski was excellent, however we could have missed 500′ of thick pea soup, if we would have stopped at Moon Rocks or peeled off onto the Paradise Glacier (like we noticed Carl Simpson doing as we were walking by Anvil Rock).
All in all it was a perfect day and even if it weren’t, a “bad day of skiing is still better than a good day at work!”
Think big SNOW and remember, “Live to Ski Another Day!”
Here’s a short video from sometime in Sept of this year, down in Roslyn, WA. I had the thought to roll that way, calling Jerad and Karter in the process, asking if they’d like to join. I was lucky they did, especially Jerad, who loaned me his DH bike (as I forgot my bike on the Pass!?!). This is a zone, I am wanting to learn much better and pass along the info. However, on this trip all we know is we rode to the BIG flat rock that looks over into the Teanaway (offering epic views of the Stuart Range- which was in the clouds on our ride). Cracked a beer along with some jokes, then rode a sweet single track that started 50 yards up the road, falling off towards town. So, if you are heading that way to check out the trails, be sure to stop in prior and see the team at Ride Roslyn for trail info and any needs in regards to parts, gear, or BIKES!
