AlpineK Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 Trip: Lichtenberg Mtn - SW Face Date: 2/28/2014 Trip Report: While having skied off the summit ridge of Lichtenberg I'd never skied off the top or the west side of the peak. Skiing in this area has been on the must do list for some time. A moderately sunny forecast and moderate avy conditions convinced me to try and ski back there and see what things looked like. Starting from the Yodelin ski area added a bonus by eliminating the long trudge up Smith Brook Road. After crossing HWY-2 from Yodelin we followed cat tracks past cabins to the end of cat tracks. From there we followed the western side of the Nason Creek drainage to an open area below Lake Valhalla. At this point I was psyched to find recent skin tracks to take advantage of. While mostly sunny clouds kept swirling around the summit [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3063/medium/9-W-DSC01021.jpg[/img] Looking towards Stevens Pass [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3063/medium/15-W-DSC01027.jpg[/img] Eventually clouds moved out for nice summit views Looking towards Nason Ridge and the Chiwaukum Range [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3063/medium/16-W-DSC01028.jpg[/img] Stevens Pass Ski Area and Heather Ridge [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3063/medium/18-W-DSC01030.jpg[/img] While slightly funky near the top the snow had a nice young corn consistency [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3063/medium/20-W-DSC01032.jpg[/img] [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3063/medium/21-W-DSC01033.jpg[/img] Looking back from the valley [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3063/medium/24-W-DSC01036.jpg[/img] On return to Yodelin we found standing water and signs of spring conditions. As always the weather can change rapidly. The next day a friend and I skied Arrowhead and found clouds, wind, and dust on a hard breakable crust. Frozen partly buried chunky chunks of snow added some excitement too. [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/3063/medium/6-W-DSC01042.jpg[/img] The vehicle temperature gauge read 18F while driving back by Yodelin. Gear Notes: Snow sliding devices are nice given current conditions Approach Notes: Park at Yodelin cross the highway then follow a road past cabins to the NE. From there follow a slightly rising traverse west of Nason Creek Quote
BootsandPants Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 Wow, should have gone out on Friday! Nice pictures I think we ran into you on Saturday on Arrowhead. We were the group of 4 coming off the summit ridge (had to bail close to the summit due to one member having bad gloves and frost-nipped hands). At least there were some nice turns towards the bottom! Quote
AlpineK Posted March 4, 2014 Author Posted March 4, 2014 In most cases the best skiing is near the top of Arrowhead. This time it in the valley. Quote
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