[Bryan K]

Last spring I had hope to summit Big Chief on the same day I tagged Cowboy, but time kept me from my goal. So when TPayne PM'ed me and wanted to get out and play in the snow I suggested Big Chief for our goal. We met at my place and were soon on our way out Hwy 2. There was some snow in the lot at Stevens but not enough to don our snowshoes, yet. We booted it up the easy ski run Promenade and soon found ourselves at the Tye Mill Chair.

Looking back towards Tom from the Tye Mill Chair lower terminal

We continued on up Skid Road and soon came across the PCT and followed that up to the ridge near the Tye Mill and Jupiter chairs.

Looking up to the ridge toward Southern Cross Chair (out of sight)

We stopped for a short break and then headed along the ridge towards the Dbl Diamond/Southern Cross Chair.

Tom gives this trip the thumbs up, so far.....

With the limited snow, a short section was tricky with some large rocks not completely covered. We finally made it up and hung out at Dudley's for a bit. The frost up there was really cool!!!

Big Chief 023

Pattern of frost

Frosty plant

Such awesome detail in the frost

Frost and chair

Looking down towards the Double Diamond chair

I then told Tom that we had a few hundred feet more gain to tackle along with about a mile more of traverse. He was bummed because he thought we were at the summit and had already eaten a 1/3 of his "victory" sandwich We pressed onward and lower clouds were rolling in and limiting our visibility. I kept an eye on the time since I did not want to return on this section of ridgeline after dark. We made it to the summit by 2:10 and the views were not present and acounted for today.

Great view of the ski area....

At the summit of Big Chief

After about 10 minutes we headed back to the chairlifts and stopped for a short break and some brain relaxing too, ok maybe a bit too much brain relaxing....

Completely oblivious......

We re-connected with the PCT and when we crossed under the Tye Mill chair I asked Tom if he'd mind a slight detour down. He was game and I was completely in my element now!!! We followed under the chair with slide alder partially covered by snow, but some element of risk still there. I was having a blast as I slid down and around the junk and felt like a cat with 4 paw drive with my snowshoes on!! Tom started not enjoying this route too much and took his time getting down. AT one point I did whack my knee on a huge boulder and immediately pain ensued About half way down I spied a very steep seciton ahead and suggested we detour to our left and avoid this potentially dangerous section. As we re-routed I found a very steep slippery section and I slid about 10 feet down on my butt, only stopping because I caught a tree with my foot. Tom wasn't so lucky, he slid down and found himself stuck under a tree covered with snow and needing help getting back up. I wish that I'd had my small camera handy cause this would have been a GREAT picture!!! I laughed hysterically at his expense and he gave me the death eye. I asked him if he wanted to kill me, he replied "Yes", cool, mission accomplished He got himself out and soon we were on more flat ground.

Tom is happy to be done with my little section of adventure on our return.

We followed the PCT again all the way back to the parking lot. On the way across the Big Chief ski run we spotted the moon far above

Moon view

Moon view

What a great trip with a good friend. Sorry no video from this trip as my small camera is at the factory getting fixed

[dicey]

[puzzlr]

Great report. I'm really nervous about sliding on thin snow cover, but to each his own! Here's a couple ski lift maps to provide context for the lifts you reference.

[Type E]

what a difference a week makes. Last week the only way you could have slid down the ski runs is you greased yourself and slid on the wet foliage.

[Obi Tony Kenobi]

Wow that is a lot of snow in such a short amount of time! Love all those "furry" looking snow pics.

[Magellan]

People are going to confuse you with a hiker if you keep this up. Good stuff. I wish I could have seen you two wrapped around some trees.

[EastKing]

Great trip report Bryan!!!!!

[TPayne]

[Layback]

Right on you guys. Those were some cool pics of frost!

[Schmidt Altitude]

Very funny, Bryan, and cool frost pics.