Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Cowlitz Gap & Rocks (winter)

Meet in the parking lot north of the Longmire Museum at Mt. Rainier National Park at 8:30 am

A National Park entrance fee and tire chains are required.

Car Pool Location

• Leave the South Renton Park and Ride at Park and Ride lot name at 6:30 am
• Meet on the south side of the park and ride

This will be a moderate paced tour.  Trip participants must be within voice distance of the participant behind them.

You must complete the following sections of the AIARE field book PRIOR to arriving at the trail head: Avalanche Danger, Snowpack Discussion, Weather Forecast and identify FOUR or more locations where observations will be recorded.  The AIARE field book is required equipment.  You may not participate in the trip without it.

Enclosed is a map, profile and segment description of the route.  We will return to the trail head prior to 4:00 pm.

Please check your email after 9 pm on the day before the trip, and in the morning before you leave for route changes due to avalanche and weather conditions.  If you do not receive an email at either of these times, the route has not changed.

The actual route will depend on snow, avalanche, weather conditions and participants’ abilities. If needed, an alternate, safer destination will be chosen by group consensus.

We will conduct a review of the day at the cars.

The trip will include a beacon search and retrieval practice session.  Please bring a waterproof bag and a plastic case to protect your beacon when it is being used as the victim’s beacon.