Slot Couloir, Snoqualmie Mtn.

December 27, 2003

Who:  Scott, Lori and Sam

Scott, Lori and I started up the Phantom this morning at about 8:30.  We encountered very easy skinning all the way up the west shoulder with occasional sun breaks.  I took a 500' foot run on the upper slopes while waiting for the others to catch up.  Calf deep turns were light and fast!
Regrouped, we made the final push up the ridge to the entrance of the Slot.  After a pretty easy entrance, we hunkered down at the top for lunch and dug a hasty pit.  The pit revealed about 10" that was seemingly well bonded to a thick crust underneath.  Shear testing it, release did not come as easy as we expected...this was comforting.  I started down and linked nice turns through the dog-leg to the right and waited for Scott and Lori to meet me before we took turns down the remainder.  We skinned out of the basin back to the West Shoulder and were able to blast down quickly, even capped it off with the waterfall finish.  6"+ of new snow upon our return to the car.  This is the 2nd time I've skied this line and it will likely be my last!  Horrible, horrible, what a waste of a day!  

My recommendation:  Stay at home and watch Oprah reruns.
 

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