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Jim Dockery Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 3092 | TRs | Pics Location: Lake Stevens |
Shred and I headed up Mt. Pilchuck for my traditional last day of school ski.
We rushed to gear up when the hideous little red gnat buggers instantly attacked when we opened the doors. We each had our personal swarm that followed us to the summit ridge where some wind finally dispersed them. If we kept moving they couldn't land and bite much, so that kept our pace going steady, even when we hit a wall of brush at the first steep bit on the skier's route we normally take (not a very good route now). We're both a bit masochistic, so we found a perverse pleasure in making our way through with our skis - I think of it like rock climbing - just go slow and think through each move - and most of the time you can finesse your way.
This is fun and we're having it!
A couple hundred feet below the trail we hit continuous snow and cruised from there. We just booted it up and didn't bother bringing the skins. Clouds blew in and out, but socked in at the summit, so we were happy to have the lookout to shelter us as we savored our beers.
The Gunsight was challenging - very steep hard snow with no runout or room for error. Jeff skied it to the bitter end making jump turns down the last finger of snow while I side slipped to the rocks.
Droppin' into The Gunsight The Gunsight Last turn in The Gunsight
We skied the gully next to Larrison Ridge because it had better continuous snow.
Jumpin' Jeff does his thing Another season draws to an end
Going down the brush was easier, we followed snow further down to the east, then had a steep bit of brush to back down. I don't think I've ever gotten my boots off so fast to escape the bugs when we got back to the car.
B4 down climbing
It was a great evening, but we do have our limits, so it will most likely be our last ski on Pilchuck this season.
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DIYSteve seeking hygge
Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 12655 | TRs | Pics Location: here now |
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DIYSteve
seeking hygge
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Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:09 am
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Looks like Jeff has some spring in his legs.
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SlowWalker Perma-grinner
Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 888 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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SlowWalker
Perma-grinner
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Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:41 am
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Jim, I truly envy many of the trips you manage to do.
But not this one.
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Jimbo Member
Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1558 | TRs | Pics Location: Arlington |
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Jimbo
Member
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Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:24 pm
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Not sure if that takes............ Guts......... Nuts.............. or what but that last turn in ( Gunsight ) looks Crazy.. Judge's give you a 10
Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians
Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians
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Shred Member
Joined: 05 May 2009 Posts: 255 | TRs | Pics Location: Slowhomish |
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Shred
Member
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Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:34 pm
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You forgot to add Blood, Bruises and a Brick, to the title.
Yes, I too dare say that was the last Pilchuck foray for the year. Unless... maybe we could wear some protective padding and... ahh better quit while were ahead
brush beater Jim ski skier in the mist 6-16-09 002
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JPH Member
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 808 | TRs | Pics
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JPH
Member
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Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:51 pm
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Way to get the last of it.
Gunsight looks bonier now than it did in early July last year! Bummer, guess I'll scrap my plans for that one this year.
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bgs8379 Member
Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 49 | TRs | Pics
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bgs8379
Member
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Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:10 am
Jeff
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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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Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:41 am
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Good to see some bushwhacking shots. I'm always so absorbed in trying to get through I forget about the camera.
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bgs8379 Member
Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 49 | TRs | Pics
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bgs8379
Member
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Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:03 am
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Cut the brush and trees out, you guys just want all glory !
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