Oh waaa! 

Jojo.   Here's about all you need to know about Snoqualmie.  Alpental has fun and steep inbound terrain, but it's limited.  The lines can suck at chair 2 at times though. The best part of that place is going out the gates to the side country stuff.  Lots of lines....exposed steeps, gullies, chutes, cliffs, roll overs, etc.  It can be dangerous so a guide is pretty much mandatory along with beacon, shovel, probe.

 

Hyak is just open on weekends so it's a great place to hit if it dumped during the week.  Shorts laps, but fun terrain. 

 

There's a few decent runs at the rest of the Snoqualmie areas, but overall it can be avoided unless you're a park rat and want to hit the pipe and rails.

 

 

 

Hyak is the the eastern most of the Snoqualmie area, the one with the big Oly can.

 

Not really touring off the gates at Alpental, just a big traverse to get you out there.

 

PowWrangler those are some sweet photos, I can't wait to ski there.  That is unbelievable side country.

 

this is a whitewater kayaking forum... not  nwskiing.com

 

 

Anyway, my plans have changed. Instead of tomorrow and Friday, I am going up to Stevens Thursday. (they just announced that the backside is opening thurs.) All this new snow will be untouched. Nothing like virgin backside. (uh...that didn't come out right)

 

skiing or kayaking , it's all white water.

 sorry for the rant...but here goes

  as the snow starts to fall, i generally decrease the amout of boating i do (not stop though) and go ski alot more.  seems like most of the folks that i have met touring are dumb.  they probably have  a beacon, but no idea how to use it.  do you practice with your shit?  not just how to switch your beacon between modes, but actually find a burried beacon.  do you know how to do a proper fine search after a coarse search?  now how to correctly use your probe?  how about digging...right and wrong ways to do that too.  i highly encourage you all to practice with your junk (both snow and swift water rescue gear), spend an extra hour in the upper lot at baker after a tour and bury a few beacons with your homiess.  their ability to find it may change your mind about riding ob with them again.  remember, your partners' lack of ability in this arena will likely not fuck them....it WILL FUCK YOU! 

 

now with that being said...enjoy the snow and ride hard.  if you are cool enough...maybe we could even hook up for a morning tour and an afternoon boat.

 

that is one good lookin' sandwich!

 

h

 

Uh ... I'm certainly not cool enough to pass the "can I hang with Hugo" test. 

 

Last time I hung out with a drill sergeant it was really fun and educational, so I guess it's my loss. 

 

   You may not be, but that is okay...

   If you are calling me a drill sergeant because I require people to know how to use the gear that is going to save MY LIFE or another person's life before I go on a tour with them or creek with them...then so be it, I am a "drill sergeant." 

Don't be a dumb ass, there have been 6 AVI RELATED DEATHS in the past few weeks in OUR PLAYGROUND....so if I hurt your feelings... tough shit.  I would be willing to bet that  those connected to all the avi deaths wish that they hung out  a bit more with a "drill sergeant."  The statements that you have made are absolute madness.  I was unaware that little kid gloves were required when out in the backcountry or on some steep creek.

  

   Why don't you ask Kyle K if he thinks that way.  I bet that he doesn't.  He was with some shit hot dudes that knew thier stuff and got him out of a jam...kudos to him for selecting the right group of homies to boat with. 

   It takes more than big balls to eat at the big boys table for more than a meal or two...you gotta have brains dawgie. 

 

   Bottom line is, if that is not the criteria that you use everytime you decide who you roll with...then so be it...it is your loss, buddy.

 

Hugo

 

That is a question that only you can answer. 

 

 

In all seriousness though, do be careful if you head out this weekend...huge amounts of wet dense baker style snow on a really weak hoar frost layer...only gonna get worse before it gets better.  Probably not the best weekend to go out...especially if you don't know where the safe areas are.

 

are you kidding me?  the short time that i have been reading this board you have cried the most.  talked to some folks about you up at the ashlu fest a few years ago...explosive device...are you f**king serious?

 

  Even though I do agree with you in regards to your personal policies about choosing wisely the folks you boat with or ride with, you come off like a shit talkin' SOB, chill out man. 

   I am on your side.  I too feel that there is a general cloud of complacency covering the backcountry world and boating world.  It does not take much to make the "best trip of your life" into the "worst trip of your life," especially when you take into account the sports we are talking about. 

    Look lively out there and error on the side of caution.  Seriously though Hugo, your message is right on, but your delivery needs work, you are loosing them with your "tart tounge".  Sorry to be the one to tell you this.

   Here are two links to  2  well done avalanche videos that I have recently seen. 

 

Sorry Lief, it can happen to the "big boys" too:

 

j

 

Lighten up dude!  What's with the agro attitude?  We're not a bunch of wilting flowers, but there's no need to be calling people dumb asses. 

 

Yes, these are dangerous sports, and yes, I know how much trouble one can get into by not picking a good posse.  Tell me something I don't know; with all that alleged experience, you aught to be able to come up with something. 

 

The truth is, I'm pretty risk averse.  I play it pretty safe.  And I go out there to have fun with people of like mind.  I don't do it so that I can run the steepest gnar and to feel superior so that I can call people who don't do it my way a bunch of dumb asses.  But that's just me. 

 

Dan

 

p.s. when you do run the gnar, take some pictures.  I certainly appreciate seeing people killin' it since I can't or won't.

 

I am headed up to Stevens this afternoon and thought I'd share it-  spending the next couple nights -Sat/ Sun night up there, so if anyone is headed up, or if  anybody wants to bring some pallets.  Staying in the overflow parking lot for the Rvs, I think.  Look for a grey Chevy ExpressVan with racks.  Or call - 253 three 50. 540three.   Should be good. 

 

I couldnt agree more.  I practice with my junk all the time.  Leif - Maybe Hugo can show you how to practice with your junk......