Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Crystal Mountain Backcountry

Trip

Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Crystal Mountain Backcountry

Tour to explore N-facing lines in the Lake Basin zone.

  • M3 Expert Ski
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 8.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 5,000 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 6,750 ft

We will meet at 8:30AM, 300' NNE of the bottom of the Discovery chairlift.  (We will not be skinning through the resort.)

We will skin up the standard Bullion Basin approach to about 5400' of elevation and then skin up East until we meet the PCT, at which point we will follow it North below East Peak.  From there, we will cross under East Peak and take a rising path up to the ridge that forms the boundary between the Silver Creek drainage and Cement Basin and follow it to the unlabeled highpoint at 6750' that is SSE of Scout Pass.

Depending on our judgement of the avalanche and snow conditions in the field, we may select some ski lines that exceed 40 degrees in places.  Variable snow is to be expected in the backcountry, as we will be on a variety of aspects and micro-terrain, and we will be skiing in trees of varying tightness.

For leader's permission, please include the following items with your request:

  1. Your favorite line off of Chair 6.
  2. Your two most recent ski tours.
  3. Your very worst experience skiing down from Camp Muir.
Route/Place

Crystal Mountain Ski Area



  • USGS White River Park

    Green Trails Bumping Lake No. 271

    USGS Norse Peak

    Green Trails Mt Rainier East No. 270

    Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland No. 269SX
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

  • The Ten Essentials
  • Boots, skis/snowboard, poles
  • Climbing skins (or other method to travel uphill on snow) and (strongly recommend) ski crampons
  • Avalanche shovel (metal blade)
  • Avalanche beacon (modern, three antenna)
  • Avalanche probe
Trip Reports