Central WA Cascades; Nason Ridge 5576'. January 7, 2024
- John Morrow
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sat Jan 13, 2024 9:52 am
Central WA Cascades; Nason Ridge 5576'. January 7, 2024
I am not sure if the Forum wants insignificant TRs such as this but let me know if the interest is not there. Obviously, TRs like this would be more archival than conditions reporting...
Day 1 on skis for me this winter, on one of our usual haunts in the Central Cascades (Hwy 2 Stevens Pass, Hwy 97 Blewett Pass, I-90 Snoqualmie Pass, Cle Elum/Teanaway, etc).
A few miles east of Stevens Pass on Hwy 2 is the Smithbrook Road winter parking where many tours eminate from. On this considerable avalanche hazard day, Jake C and I decided to hit a tree run that has a long fall line of mostly open mid elevation forest.
Nason 5576 by John Morrow, on Flickr
Broke our own skin track after leaving the snowmobile packed road.
breaking trail, finding relative safety in trees by John Morrow, on Flickr
The descent starts gentle before it rolls over. Very steeps can be found far skiers left, with cliffs to weave between. We avoid such.
On Nason Ridge Point 5576' by John Morrow, on Flickr
gentle at top by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then it gets more typical Cascades old growth on a steeper fall line.
Jake by John Morrow, on Flickr
finding a open line by John Morrow, on Flickr
steeper at bottom by John Morrow, on Flickr
coverage thins, Jake navigating an emerging buried crust by John Morrow, on Flickr
uhhh, uh-oh...rode it out by John Morrow, on Flickr
I'm still on O-1s mounted to BD Drifts and T2 eco boots, Jake is on NTN Techtoe
Day 1 on skis for me this winter, on one of our usual haunts in the Central Cascades (Hwy 2 Stevens Pass, Hwy 97 Blewett Pass, I-90 Snoqualmie Pass, Cle Elum/Teanaway, etc).
A few miles east of Stevens Pass on Hwy 2 is the Smithbrook Road winter parking where many tours eminate from. On this considerable avalanche hazard day, Jake C and I decided to hit a tree run that has a long fall line of mostly open mid elevation forest.
Nason 5576 by John Morrow, on Flickr
Broke our own skin track after leaving the snowmobile packed road.
breaking trail, finding relative safety in trees by John Morrow, on Flickr
The descent starts gentle before it rolls over. Very steeps can be found far skiers left, with cliffs to weave between. We avoid such.
On Nason Ridge Point 5576' by John Morrow, on Flickr
gentle at top by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then it gets more typical Cascades old growth on a steeper fall line.
Jake by John Morrow, on Flickr
finding a open line by John Morrow, on Flickr
steeper at bottom by John Morrow, on Flickr
coverage thins, Jake navigating an emerging buried crust by John Morrow, on Flickr
uhhh, uh-oh...rode it out by John Morrow, on Flickr
I'm still on O-1s mounted to BD Drifts and T2 eco boots, Jake is on NTN Techtoe
- chris_the_wrench
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:29 pm
Re: Central WA Cascades; Nason Ridge 5576'. January 7, 2024
Great stuff! Im abit south of you on Chinook pass. Im planning my first bc outing of the year tomorrow. Probably head up above Bumping Lake or someplace up by the 410 closure.
- Stephen
- Posts: 1481
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2020 12:49 am
- Location: PNW USA
- Ski style: Aspirational
- Favorite Skis: Armada Tracer 118 (195), Gamme (210), Ingstad (205), Objective BC (178)
- Favorite boots: Alfa Guard Advance, Scarpa TX Pro
- Occupation: Beyond
6’3” / 191cm — 172# / 78kg, size 47 / 30 mondo
Re: Central WA Cascades; Nason Ridge 5576'. January 7, 2024
Nice write-up and especially the pics — Thanks!
- Sidney Dunkin
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Sun Nov 19, 2023 11:50 am
Re: Central WA Cascades; Nason Ridge 5576'. January 7, 2024
Thanks for posting your TR, you got some good action shots there. Judging by all of the snow still on the trees it looks like your storm finished nice and calm.