philfort

Something like this:

Given that it didn't come off when the avalanche happened, it's probably pretty solid.

Yes... more relevantly, if you have a 2000ft snow level, the snow will be wet and crappy at 2000ft, and probably at 3000ft too. I've been rained on when it was -10C.

They aren't the same thing. Snow level is usually ~1500ft below freezing level. Snow will continue to fall in above freezing air before it finally turns to rain.

Leashes have saved me from walking down at least one large steep run. And I have yet (knock on wood) to be lacerated by skis-on-a-rope. I've had dynafit leashes break under large forces (e.g. falls in deep wet snow), so I hope they'd do that in an avalanche too - although if I'm using my brain in avy terrain, I often just tuck the leashes in my pant cuffs. Note: I'm now leashless because Sturtevants lost my leashes when they tuned my skis.

Thx to Sky for this one:

I heard that road is closed (barricaded) now...

This is just another example of the Great North Cascade "Disappearing Beta" Conspiracy.

Hikers show the way. Still looks nearly good enough to ski...

mzchristy, so sorry you had to take your twins home early.

I guess I'll show up 8'ish too!

From the Sunrise Mine trailhead (thru Silverton), it's only ~3 hours to the summit. I don't know how you'd get there from highway 2, unless you want to bushwhack for a few days.

Where is Prince? He may be a freak, and not really known for playing guitar - but he's better than a lot of guitarists on that list. Watch him wail here.

That's so fake... Justin, I can tell your avalanche is totally CGI...

Search this site for beta on the approach - I know it's been discussed before. I've done both the all-on-snow approach from the ski resort, and also the snow-free approach from the end of the logging road (drop down to creek, climb up to ridge). While the snow approach is much more pleasant, there is hardly any bushwhacking if you do the other approach correctly (there is a patch of devil's club and dense shrubery near the creek). It's in a dry streambed, and then mostly open forest. Very steep in spots though - like you might want wear crampons in the woods in spots. It took us about 5 hours, but others do it faster (we were carrying ski gear and it was ludicrously hot, like 80F at sunrise).