Nisqually Chutes

The morning rush.

Other than the 2 feet of snow we received two weeks ago, it's been an incredibly dry January. The high pressure has brought some sunny, warm weather though and with that in mind 6 of us (and a few others as you can see) rallied up to Rainier today to take advantage of the 50 degree weather at Paradise. Getting prepped to skin at about 9:30, we donned t-shirts, sunscreen and sunglasses. Nary a wisp of wind was out all the way up to the top of the Nisqually Chutes at about 8500'. The distances covered and views on Rainier provide some of the most all-consuming touring around. You really lose yourself in your music, breathing, foot placement and finding your way up. We skinned, bootpacked and skinned again to get to the entrance, and by the time of our first run the snow was buttery corn. Aaron, Kendall, John, Bob, Kerwin and I enjoyed a quick break before taking the first run.

Aaron on the first run

John and Aaron as we approached the entrance

We decided to head up for #2 and skinned right up one of the gullies to looker's right of the chutes. This quickly turned into a hot-box - the sun was beating down - we were sweating and just trying to keep moving up an incredibly steep track. An hour of slogging and we were back up for round 2. Aaron and Bob were nice enough to go get the cars, so John, Kendall, Kerwin and I skied all the way down the Nisqually bridge.

Prepping for round 2

Kerwin and Aaron early in the day