Leaderboard

Trip: Asulkan Hut Ski Week - Youngs Peak, Sapphire col, Ravens, Forever Young, 7 steps to Paradise Trip Date: 03/15/2023 Trip Report: It is better to be lucky than good, and last week we were definitely lucky up at the Asulkan Hut. Much thanks to @wbk for organizing the madness and bringing such a strong crew to the trip, including @therunningdogand @Trent. I felt a bit old and weak with the crew assembled, but that was entirely a good thing. Pretty inspiring to watch the younger guns charge hard all week! We skied in just before a significant storm and warm up, content to lap the trees below the hut on our first full day in. As the week went on, the weather and stability improved significantly, allowing us to ski classic lines like the Seven Steps to Paradise, Forever Young, The Ravens, and Dome Headwall. Seven steps, in particular, the group skied many, many times. So much good terrain up there, it is quite impressive! I think that there are few huts that can compete, even those that you fly into. I caught myself marveling nearly every day at our good fortune, but I suspect that it is often pretty good up there. I had stayed away from Rogers Pass for many years, scared of the terrain and avalanche paths. Maybe this was warranted, maybe I was too timid. Regardless, this trip was proof that mortals can indeed safely ski up there- if you take it easy. Just remember, this isn't a coastal snowpack! Gear Notes: skis, avy gear....brought ropes and such and never used Approach Notes: Asulkan valley, go up!

Ugh, yet another junk fee that goes mostly to Booz Allen Hamilton. Clearly the only option is to run up and down Adams as fast as possible. 😉

Parked at about 1300' where the snow starts. Snowshoes up the road to the Washington TH parking area. There is a S#!t ton of snow up there! Not likely to melt out for a while.

I need to add a vomit reaction.

Thanks to @wbk for herding the cats and @JasonGfor the professional pictures (the sponsors will be proud!). And the rest of the crew for putting up with me (the slow old dude).

Wow...I initially was led to believe this was a super obvious error in judgement based on the avalanche forecast. But after reading that report, I would say that was not the case. I could easily see myself and many of my partners climbing that route or something similar on a 2,2,1 day. It is a good reminder that even a low avy day can have serious consequences. My condolences to all those affected.