Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Alpental Backcountry

Trip

Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Alpental Backcountry

Skier powered touring in the Alpental valley -- outside of the Alpental back bowls permit area.

  • M3 Expert Ski
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 6.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,700 ft

8:30AM

Alpental Lot 4 (Highest lot) -- Exit 52 of I-90, then left 

https://goo.gl/maps/y8RfTjj3b7v18dfGA

Carpooling in my 4wd van from the Issaquah area is also available.

This will be a skin for turns outing -- we will depart from the Alpental base area -- but will not using the lift system.   We will follow the designated "uptrack" route to reach Source Lake -- and we will head up from there depending on conditions.    Options include Pineapple Basin,  The slopes below the east side of Chair Peak (footstool area)  or crossing over Snow Lake divide and skiing down to the lake -- either the easy way or the gnarly way.    All routes require excellent skiing skill to navigate enjoyably.   This is not an introductory ski tour -- significant prior ski touring experience is needed to have an enjoyable outing. 

I will initially set the roster count to zero and then after the final sign up date -- I will selectively move people from the waitlist to the roster for a group size of  six.    (I will not be doing a random lottery as I did last year -- too much effort)   I will use the  following criteria:

1) Whether the person's skiing ability and fitness are a good match with other members available on the waiting list
2) Whether the person has Wilderness First Aid, or other medical training as is willing to act as a caregiver if there is a mishap.
3) Whether the person has participated in a stewardship activity in the last year (for example trail maintenace or something like that)
4) Whether the person is willing to carpool.

Route/Place

Alpental Ski Area



  • Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass No. 207

    Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass Gateway No. 207S

    USGS Snoqualmie Pass
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

  • The Ten Essentials
  • Boots, skis/snowboard, poles
  • Climbing skins 
  • Avalanche shovel (metal blade)
  • Avalanche beacon (recent 3 antenna digital beacon)
  • Avalanche probe
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