2015

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Pilchuck Skinning

The road to Mt. Pilchuck gets closed off five miles before the trailhead in winter. Justin completed a reconnaissance after work yesterday and found snow down at the locked gate, though, so this morning we returned to skin up. The five miles to the trailhead went smooth. A light snow was falling all day. Once in the woods we were making our own tracks, and like always, that's an amazing feeling. We had to be back early, so we didn't make it too far up the mountain today. Skiing out of the woods was fun, and while the road was barely steep enough to keep us sliding it sure beat walking.

Steven's Pass

Soft day on the mountain. A fresh foot of snow and cold temperatures made for a fun day in the trees at Steven's. 

Del Campo

This trip happened a few weeks ago. It was a crew of Philip, Justin, Cara, and I. Del Campo is in the Gothic Basin, a standout area along the mountain loop highway. We'd just gotten fresh snow in the mountains, which made for the most powder I've seen yet this year. With Philip and Justin doing most of the work we made our own tracks all day. Being in the snow covered mountains is one of the best feelings in the world. After exhausting postholing to Foggy Lake, Justin and Philip made a successful run at the summit as Cara and I hung back. We'd rented her crampons, so to get her money's worth we found some moderately steep ice to play on. It was her first time wearing crampons. The world looks different after you learn you can walk on ice.

Mailbox Peak

Mailbox gives you 4,000' of gain in 2.5 miles, making it a great conditioner within an hour of Seattle. It's good for removing cobwebs from the lungs. The trail is scenic through the woods, if just for the steepness. Last year the boulder field exiting the woods was buried in snow, allowing a fun run up in crampons. This year it was almost snow free, but luckily a good trail let's you avoid rock hoping if you choose. Without packing for a lightning ascent I still reached the top in 1:40. Plenty of time to get home for the Josh Ritter show that night.

Morning routine: wake up, check the mail.

Here's a photo from last year, with the mailbox barely peaking out.

Steven's Pass

Sunny day at Steven's Pass. My eighth day for the season.

Steven's Pass game day

Anticipating deep semi-fresh powder I took off work for a day at Steven's Pass. A warm morning forecast lowered the expectations, but Cara and I still went for it. When we got to the pass it was raining hard and the wind was a little ferocious. Too wet to get out and too committed to drive away, we waited for the weather to ease up by playing zilch and backgammon in the back of the Subaru. After a couple hours it cleared enough to let us link a few turns.