Central WA Cascades; Nason Ridge 5576'. January 7, 2024

Get psyched before your own next trip... fire your imagination and expand your horizons while discovering new telemark and backcountry skiing destinations from around the world. Our Trip Report Archive is packed with inspiring and informative words, photos and video, it’s a wonderful resource made possible by the contributions of thousands of enthusiastic members of our community. Come on in and get your stoke on…
Post Reply
User avatar
John Morrow
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Jan 13, 2024 9:52 am

Central WA Cascades; Nason Ridge 5576'. January 7, 2024

Post by John Morrow » Sat Jan 13, 2024 10:09 am

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.

ImageNason 5576 by John Morrow, on Flickr

Broke our own skin track after leaving the snowmobile packed road.

Imagebreaking 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.

ImageOn Nason Ridge Point 5576' by John Morrow, on Flickr

Imagegentle at top by John Morrow, on Flickr

Then it gets more typical Cascades old growth on a steeper fall line.

ImageJake by John Morrow, on Flickr

Imagefinding a open line by John Morrow, on Flickr

Imagesteeper at bottom by John Morrow, on Flickr

Imagecoverage thins, Jake navigating an emerging buried crust by John Morrow, on Flickr

Imageuhhh, 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

User avatar
chris_the_wrench
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:29 pm

Re: Central WA Cascades; Nason Ridge 5576'. January 7, 2024

Post by chris_the_wrench » Sun Jan 14, 2024 4:41 pm

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.



User avatar
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

Post by Stephen » Sun Jan 14, 2024 8:04 pm

Nice write-up and especially the pics — Thanks!



User avatar
Sidney Dunkin
Posts: 50
Joined: Sun Nov 19, 2023 11:50 am

Re: Central WA Cascades; Nason Ridge 5576'. January 7, 2024

Post by Sidney Dunkin » Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:13 am

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.



Post Reply