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

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

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

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2024 4:41 pm
by chris_the_wrench
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.

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

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2024 8:04 pm
by Stephen
Nice write-up and especially the pics — Thanks!

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

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:13 am
by Sidney Dunkin
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.