The early November storms lined up nicely in Washington, just as expected in this La Nina season. There were 8 of us in for Satrurday, planning to head to Paradise on Mt. Rainier. After driving part way there, we found out the road would not open (thanks to the NPS for their Twitter feed!). We headed to Crystal and set up out up Norse peak. It was about 30 degrees in the parking lot and a few inches of fresh snow on the ground. We skinned up the standard trail and exited near the top for East Peak. There were rocks exposed on the ridge line (due to the prevailing westerly winds), but once we dropped in it was nothing but powder. With only 30 inches of snow it was pretty well anchored to the terrain and we didn't see any wind slabs.
After this first run, we skinned back up and followed the ridgeline to the peak to the south. We dropped of the back (toward the East), and had a great 800 foot run to the basin. This east-facing slope was very filled in - powder up to our knees. By this time it was snowing heavily. We skinned up to the top and took another run down the back, by this time it was above your knees - epic conditions. One more skin to the top of East Peak then we went down about 1500' back to the track out. This last run could not be beat - face shots all the way down, no slide activity and snowing hard. Incredible season opener.
