Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Alpental Backcountry

7:30AM

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.

Since this is a weekend day -- access to Lot 4 is restricted to lift pass holders.   I have a lift pass,  so I will be able to park my van in Lot 4.      Meeting time of 7:30AM is to improve our odds of getting a parking space on a increasingly crowded weekend days and to hopefully be ahead of the traffic snarls that can happen on I-90 when there is new snow and spin outs block the freeway right before exit 52.

If you drive separately and don't have a lift pass,   You may need to park in the lower lot per Alpental's parking policy.     Please allow 20 minutes extra travel time to walk/skin up to Lot 4 from the lower lot.  

https://summitatsnoqualmie.com/uphill-travel-policy

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LhhNmNpGU68rVBKp9

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. 

My Caltopo map of the area:  https://caltopo.com/m/9QQ9V

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.

Note:  A Winter Storm Warning, Extreme Avalanche Forecast from NWAC, Freezing Rain or "Chains Required" on the highway will cancel the trip.    If NWAC forecast is for a High avalanche hazard -- a tour with less avalanche potential than the Alpental valley will be used 

Additional Info:

My Touring Tips
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ORz50-KICoi6mhjK2LsNFTqCrf3MpxuCYJsxm61dZ0k/edit?usp=sharing

My day touring ski pack contents:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tZvHTlJXqYwxn0sF7adqf5SWEqIXgFY5ELi-nQjfjfg/edit?usp=sharing

My Driving Tips:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zJFjWZQ5HXp8UE5pIgKP3ZwursgV_TmkaBGMWRYwN_s/edit?usp=sharing

My Carpooling Tips:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rw46O5vpvOYh6Ouo5kDIk0ENAtunc4ZdGw6oYKZAvSM/edit?usp=sharing