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Jim Dockery Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 3092 | TRs | Pics Location: Lake Stevens |
Three of us headed up Mt. Pilchuck to celebrate my friend John's 66th B-day. We were happy to find a good ski track up to the parking lot that helped the boring 6 miles of road go faster. From there John broke trail up the winter/spring ski route in a few inches of light snow over a firm base, that also made for pretty easy travel except on steeper traverses where you really had to watch the downhill ski to keep from breaking out of the track.
John breaks trail Paul climbing the upper mt. nearing the summit
He set a good pace with hardly a pause to gulp some water so we made the sunny calm summit in about 4.5 hours where we enjoyed birthday IPAs, sandwiches, and gorgeous views in the cold clear air.
The Crew South from Pilchuck
We skied down the up route since we could see Larrison ridge was wind affected. The skiing was variable with crusty or icy patches in open areas, mixed with pockets of a few inches of good dry powder over a firm base where the wind had deposited it.
Paul skis summit ridge major rime!
It got better lower where the wind and sun hadn't hit as hard, then the road was a blast as we flew down, even managing some wiggle turns to the side of the track in the hoar frost!
Happy birthday Mr. Pilchuck! Here's to many more great ski tours on our favorite little backyard mountain.
Rimed Trees
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RichP Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 5628 | TRs | Pics Location: here |
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RichP
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Fri Jan 06, 2017 10:22 am
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Spectacular, Jim. Great way for for your friend to celebrate his b-day.
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Jim Dockery Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 3092 | TRs | Pics Location: Lake Stevens |
The road and parking at the Heather Lk trailhead is nicely plowed.
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ShailCaesar! Member
Joined: 15 Sep 2016 Posts: 5 | TRs | Pics Location: Westbank |
It was my Birthday as well! I climbed Zoa Peak solo with nobody else there. Sweet. Congrats on the birthday tour!
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olderthanIusedtobe Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2011 Posts: 7687 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
What a beautiful winter wonderland. That's some serious rime ice plastered to trees and rocks. Has kind of a Dr. Seuss quality to the landscape.
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gneiss Member
Joined: 09 Apr 2012 Posts: 59 | TRs | Pics
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gneiss
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Fri Jan 06, 2017 3:47 pm
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Great shots! My friend was up there that day as well, I love it up there this time of year!
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Michael Lewis Taking a nap
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 629 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood, WA (for now) |
This is the stuff I want to get into. Love those plastered trees too
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mike Member
Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 6389 | TRs | Pics Location: SJIsl |
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mike
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Fri Jan 06, 2017 6:23 pm
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Jim Dockery wrote: | Here's to many more great ski tours on our favorite little backyard mountain. |
I liked it back when you could drive up and take the lift At 66 you guys can probably remember it too.
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Kenji Member
Joined: 18 May 2010 Posts: 319 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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Kenji
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Fri Jan 06, 2017 9:58 pm
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Nice trip, Jim. Glad you are getting out.
I'm soon off to Fairy Meadows, hoping for deep powder (at least, skiable snow)
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puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7216 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
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Sat Jan 07, 2017 12:21 am
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Really amazing sights. It's hard to believe trees can survive heavy snow loads like that.
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Distel32 Member
Joined: 03 Jun 2014 Posts: 961 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
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Distel32
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Sun Jan 08, 2017 1:14 pm
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bgs8379 Member
Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 49 | TRs | Pics
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bgs8379
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Thu Jan 12, 2017 7:47 am
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Anybody remember , Nalleys Potatoe Chip Free Tuesday Nites ?
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mbravenboer Member
Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 1422 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
Love the photos. Also haven't seen much from Pilchuck this winter, so that's a nice update!
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tmatlack Member
Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 2854 | TRs | Pics
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tmatlack
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Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:33 am
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10/3/18 1st snow
Lower road badly potholed, even Dockery couldn't find a line through it. 1 car in lot, snow and rock rime start on northside catwalks. Trail in good shape and lookout shutters open. Best visibility in many years...Binocular view into Mt. St. Helens crater. N. Cascades glorious in new snow.
Tom
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