Jeff and I discussed all kinds of ambitious plans for Sunday, but the pounding rain in the early morning hours, then thick clouds when he reached my house at 5:30, sent us back up to an old standby.
Driving up the Mt. Loop we were happy to see clearing to the east but were surprised by a couple inches of new snow on the road. We found ourselves making the first tracks of the day as we continued to the Big Four parking lot to stop and take some pictures.
Mt. Loop Hwy
My Subaru handled the snowy Sunrise mine road with aplomb so we were soon hiking through lots of little tree bombs up to Wirtz Basin. When we got there we watched with caution as the sun hit Sperry and unleashed many small slides when ice and snow fell from the sun warmed rock, but the basin remained cool and quiet so we boogied up over Headlee without incident.
In Wirtz Basin
Morning Star from the pass
A nice wind and blowing clouds kept us cool on the final climb and kept the snow in perfect condition - 6-8 inches of powder bonding well to a firm base. I skied back down close to the skin track while Jeff dropped a steep line above the lake in what he calls Alaska style skiing (non-stop from the summit).
The snow was so good that we had to do another lap, which was just as good as the first and I tried the AK approach, but couldn't quite make it (I turn more than Jeff).
We skied the north gully down from the pass for something different and it was mashed potatoes by that time, but still soft so not too bad.
Best skiing either of us have ever enjoyed on this sweet little mountain.
Nice work...I've boarded that line many times. Always fun to blast off the summit and cruise down to the lake. How was the avy debris coming down from headlee pass?
Your photos always remind me to be incredibly grateful that I live in Washington. I really love that shot of the snowy, sunny road, and the thin clouds around the mountain peak. Very cinematic.
Great AK-style riding down that line.
Driving up the Mt. Loop we were happy to see clearing to the east but were surprised by a couple inches of new snow on the road. We found ourselves making the first tracks of the day as we continued to the Big Four parking lot to stop and take some pictures.
In the early morning we were following tracks on the way to Barlow Pass and the Bedal Peak trailhead. Musta' been yours...
Jim Dockery wrote:
Here's Jeff's video of me droppin' in WA style on our second run:
With all that work to get up there, I don't blame you for taking your time a bit on the way down.
How was the avy debris coming down from headlee pass?
The debris was soft and forgiving for the most part. There were some pretty deep runnels near the exit that made for some fun and interesting skiing.
Great shots, Jimbo! Best day on Vesper, Ever! Glad to be in your company, on such a fine day.
Hi Jim and Jeff:
Your styles are obviously different as per the two videos but style is a matter of choice and, in this case, equipment: what gear did you use? Mid-fats or fatter? Thanks, N
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