Alpental Backcountry

Mar 9, 2006
alpental backcountry lower traversetnt deep in the snowthe unknown tag alongpowder for breakfastmike throwing some cold smoketnttysontysontysontysonlooking down on tyson

I have been touring so much this winter, I forgot how amazing the Alpental backcountry is! Tyson, TNT, Mike and I all hooked up for a Friday in the Alpental backcountry and it turned out to be epic. The lower traverse was open as soon as we got to the top of Chair 2 and we quickly made our way out to Piss Pass. We settled on Stokes Bowl into Wall Street and the snow was deep and light. Not your typical Washingtonian snow – this was low-density fluff.

Once out of the backcountry, we found out that Chair 2 was down, probably for the day. Good thing I had my skins with me. Tyson and I geared up and we laid a skin track across Lower International and hooked into the traverse. We settled in for a run down Draft Dodger Ridge and into Unicorn. The chute we selected in Unicorn had cleaned out and it was a bit icy, but the rest of the run was great. Took Debbie’s back up and hit the skin track again, this time opting for Draft Dodger Ridge to Sucker’s Chute.

It was quite the day and I am hope we get a couple more snowstorms come through so I can hit the Alpental backcountry again. Late season is the best, because the snow has filled in some sick lines and there is rarely anyone heading out on the traverse after lunch.