Visiting the Northwest on a business conference, Ken Dolkart of New Hampshire, decided to take a day and check out the North Cascades. After contacting NCMG, Ken met Larry Goldie in Mazama for a day of Spring skiing at Washington Pass. Larry had chosen one of the area's super classic Spring tours, the Birthday Tour.
We left from the hairpin turn on highway 20, where we were able to put skis on right from the car.
Due to some high clouds and cold temperatures, we decided to do the route in the opposite direction of how it is most commonly done. We skinned up the Hairpin valley and climbed into Poster Peak bowl.
We had to kick steps up the last steep section of the bowl to reach the col and the first descent of the trip.
Here the camera is turned on the photographer, and Larry is captured on film for a change.
After getting suited up, we prepared to drop in. Due to the high clouds we had very flat light that made the skiing a bit tricky.
We descended into Copper creek where the sun came out and we enjoyed a leisurely picnic lunch.
Here Ken climbs up Madison Avenue as the sun illuminates the tracks of another skier in the background.
By the time we reached the Blue Peak saddle, the sun was out and weather was ideal. Here Ken enjoys the 360 degree views.
As we dropped down off of Blue peak, we were treated to find - Powder! Here Ken jumps into Spire Gully in great snow.
There was about 6" of new snow at the higher elevations, and while we didn't have typical spring corn snow, we weren't complaining.
Warm weather and cold powder!
As we got lower, the snow got shallower, but still quite fun. Here Ken shreds the lower section of Spire Gully.
The constriction at the bottom of Spire Gully was full of old avalanche debris. We were able to side slip most of it, though a bit of hiking near the bottom sped things up.
Finally at the bottom, the snow had turned to perfect Spring corn. We enjoyed a few more turns as we skied right back to the road and our cars, finishing up a wonderful day of Spring skiing in the North Cascades.
