[Jim Dockery]

Kenji and I almost bailed on the drive up the Pilchuck road when the mist on the windshield looked more like rain. I'd told Jeff I'd meet him at the trailhead around 9 though so we carried on with the idea that if he didn't show up we might just call it good and go home. He was there with his posse of 3 cute girls (daughter Bree on her 1st Pilchuck ski) gearing up. He laughed at our questioning the weather, guaranteeing we'd climb above the marine layer, so we all headed up along with other friends who showed up.

Alexa, Jeff, Bree

The clouds actually helped keep us and the snow cool all day. In the end I also quite liked the atmospheric photos I got. We had a bit of a scare on the steep traverse off of the saddle above Little Pilchuck. A young man in running shoes and shorts tried to descend the steepest part facing out, soon lost his footing and slid uncontrolled down 25 ft. of snow then flew off the short cliff into trees and rocks. I glanced up and just saw flying snow and was amazed to hear him call up that he was fine. His young female friend was still above him and looked like she would have followed his poor example and done the same if it wasn't for a lot of help from two other skiers who were next to her. The loaned her two whip-it ski poles and gave her brief instruction on how to use them and face into the slope carefully kicking her toes into the established foot holds. I helped her get established on the traverse, then Jeff got the poles which we carried up to the other skiers. I hope the two of them learned a lesson - that guy was incredibly lucky not to have been injured.

Lenny atop The Gunsight

The Gunsight was a bit icy, especially at the bottom where lots of rocks are now showing. It will likely be done for the season after this next sunny spell. We climbed up to Larrison ridge and traversed over to a gully we call The Barrel which was quite good. Met up with a group of 4 at the bottom who joined us for the next run down The Choke. Climbing the icy Gunsight was a bit tricky for our split boarder.

Traverse to The Barrel

Traverse to The Barrel

Traverse to The Barrel

Approaching The Choke

Skiing The Choke

Skiing The Choke

Boarding The Choke

Larrison skied well, but has lots of glide cracks on the roll-overs so don't drop into those too hot without a spot from below.

Skiing The Choke B&W

Pilchuck in the clouds

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Was your trip 5/3 or 6/3? Didn't see any people flying off of small cliffs when we were both up there several weeks ago and crossed paths. It kind of amazes me there aren't frequent accidents/SAR missions on Pilchuck given it's popularity, high number of seemingly underprepared hikers, and despite it's modest elevation, no shortage of terrain you can get yourself in trouble in.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Oh shoot, now I can't remember if it was you or Jim K. that was skiing up there on my last trip.

[Jim Dockery]

Older..., thanks for pointing out my date mistake. That was me last time you were up there. I'm also surprised that more unprepared people don't get rescued off Pilchuck (although it seems about one person dies up there every year). When I caught up with the husband of one of the ladies who helped that girl down he said he was with Mt. Rescue and was up there about once a week in the summer. Right now seems like the trickiest time though - snow has firmed up and that traverse is very steep. The trail there is easy when dry, but I wouldn't want to try it in running shoes without an ice axe or at least a trekking pole.

[Shred]

Fun day with a fun group that kept growing! Some nice Photos, Jim! https://vimeo.com/220263816

[Kenji]

Thanks Jim and Jeff for a fun day on Pilchuck. Here some of my pics.

Lenny down the Gunsight

Misty Pilchuck; Gunsite (right most) and Choke (next left)

Traverse to the Barrel was interesting:

Ridge walk to the Barrel

Down the Barrel:

Barrel exit

Group expanded

Group shot:

Bog hop:

[Jim Dockery]

Thanks for the pics Kenji, I really like the B&W - I always had my camera put away when the mountain came out of the clouds, then it disappeared by the time I got it out and turned on!