[TR] Snoqualmie Pass - Bryant Couloir 3/27/2010

[AlpineK]

Trip: Snoqualmie Pass - Bryant Couloir

 

Date: 3/27/2010

 

Trip Report:

Two friends and I planned on a loop tour near Chair Peak and Snow Lake. The first view of the eastern face of Chair we got while driving towards Alpental revealed a huge slab fracture crown in the bowl we were going to ski up.

 

I had visions of a longer tour, but rising temperatures were forecast, and NWAC mentioned increasing hazards in the afternoon.

When we reached Source Lake we decided north facing slopes would stay cool longer. We skied towards the Tooth and then to Bryant Peak.

 

View northeast from the col

 

 

Glacier Peak

 

Snow in the Bryant Couloir looked nice.

 

Powder!

 

The upper couloir held the nice powder, but altitude loss brought us back to the variable crust we knew was waiting for us.

 

Warming temperatures were making their presence known when we reached Source Lake, and we saw a few point release avalanches coming down near Rap wall.

 

There was no talk of a second skin up. The rest of the ski tour was a game of frogger dodging folks heading up the trail.

 

We were back at the car at noon. A short but fun day of skiing.

[ilookeddown]

I may have used what was left of your ski track the next day on our way to Kaleetan. Thanks for putting it in up to col. We left the car at about noon and the storm rolled in just as we made the summit. The snow was quite variable and like you said good up high but terrible down low. It will be an interesting week to see how things settle out with this storm.

[danhelmstadter]

nice, that powder looks goood!

[Jim]

We took the late shift and went up to Pinapple Pass early afternoon. Saw a few minor releases off cliff faces, but the pack in the basin remained cool and powdery. Low in the trees was another story. Dang - I have to get a better hop tele going. Working a bit to hard in the heavier snow there. All in all a nice half day ski.