Cross-country Ski - Amabilis Mountain

Arrive by 9:15 at the first parking lot of Cabin Creek Snopark. I-90 exit 63 . (This  meeting time is not  the original time posted)

Prep for the ski at your car and use the restrooms if needed. We will meet at my car at 9:30 for our ski meet-up.

Full directions and more meet up and trip information will be emailed to the participants soon after registration closes on March 17 at 5pm.

Please register for this trip if:

• You are an intermediate to advanced XC skier who has the ski skills to ski/walk uphill and ski a steep and challenging  descent on the return. Each way is approx. 5 miles, 10 miles round trip. 
•  N4 XC ski skills of strong sustained wedge (snowplow), wedge turn for the many sharp switchbacks, and solid braking.
• You have stamina to keep a steady and continuous moderated pace  going uphill to the summit. Several rest stops will be taken en route.
• You have or will have a WA Snopark Pass, purchased in advance of arrival to the trail head. One can purchase this pass on-line at: https://epermits.parks.wa.gov/Store/SNO/SnoChoice.aspx.
• By registering for this trip, the leader considers that you have made a commitment. It's only good form to cancel in the event of an injury, illness, COVID concerns, an emergency or adverse expected weather/driving conditions. Even if there are people on the waitlist, it's often difficult to move them up close to the trip date. 

You Understand that….

• The planned routes can change. Weather and trail conditions are difficult to predict in advance and there seems to no consistent grooming schedule for this route. The plan is to focus on recently groomed trails. This will mean that if the route to Amabilis proves difficult either up to the  “Y” (about half way up) and then on to the summit we will turn round and instead ski the lower Cabin Creek Trails. Ideally if the trail is groomed all the way to the Summit we will find a good spot to eat lunch at or near the top before taking the North Trail down on our return. However, what we actually ski on the 19^th will depend on the grooming, trail and weather conditions.
• There is an alternative Amabilis Mountaineers xc ski trip offered  on March 11 requiring BC metal edged skis that is more likely to reach the summit even if the trail has not been recently groomed. If you have BC skis this trip is also open to you if you have the required skills and stamina
• There are several potential avalanche slide zones on both routes above the Y. We will check the NW Avalanche Center forecast the night before and make observations the day of. If there is a "High" or "Extreme" avalanche danger on our day of travel, we will turn back at the Y. If the danger level is "Substantial" we will examine slopes over 35 degrees and only proceed by spreading out if there are no danger signs.
• If it is not wise to travel as far as or above the Y in the conditions we find, we have the option to ski the Viking or Berg trails instead. The trip leader will consult the group in making route choices. The group's safety and well-being will be uppermost in decision making. We will not pursue up any route that is outside the comfort level of any group member. 

• COVID -19 Guidelines

  We will follow all Mountaineer COVID-19 Guidelines on this trip. Come prepared with your face mask, hand-sanitizer, and other safety essentials.  Please read and review the Mountaineer's COVID 19 Response for the latest up-to-date guidelines that we will follow.  This includes wearing a mask when we are in group and pulling up our masks when passing other skiers on the trail. We will keep a 6ft+ social distance at trail meet-ups and on the trail. Participants will cancel the trip if s/he have had exposure to COVID-19 before the trip.

• SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE VERIFICATION: The Trip Leader will follow up with anyone who registers and does not demonstrate through having participated in other Mountaineer xc ski trips that s/he has the experience and skills to manage a trip of this N4 standard. This is to help ensure the safety of each individual and the group. If you are uncertain of your ski ability or stamina, have questions about your ski gear to manage this type of ski trip, or the route please contact the trip leader.

• • MORE  DETAILS: Full trip information will be emailed to the participants after registration closes on March 17 at 5pm. In the interim, please contact the leader with any questions.
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  •  Chris Ensor ctrails@comcast.net