Cross-country Ski - Snoqualmie Summit East

6:15PM
Carpool from Issaquah area precise location TBA (If you choose to carpool)

7:00PM
Summi East parking lot 47.391621, -121.396794 to park cars

7:15PM Gathering spot to form pace groups. 
47.39050, -121.39619

Mid-week "after work" work out session for developing backcountry ski touring muscles, fitness and skills.

This  a backcountry sking workout
Despite the "cross country ski" label -- this is Backcountry ski touring outing. 
The trip is listed as a "cross country  ski" so folks that don't yet have avalanche safety training may enroll -- however we will be skiing on a downhill ski area.  So you will need the gear and skills to ski  an ungroomed "blue" downhill ski run and will need climbing skins for the ascent.    If you show up with cross country ski gear -- you will be disappointed. 

It will be dark
Summit East is only open on weekends,  it will not be illuminated    Be prepared with a strong headlamp and a spare. 

The snow will not be groomed. 
The slopes will not been groomed since Sunday, so be prepared to ski variable snow conditions.   

We will take it easy
The trip leader is old and slow.  So you won't have to worry about being a slow poke on the uptrack.  
If there are "blue run" / intermediate skiers in the group I'll be happy to ski with them on  "blue" runs.

Headlamps. 
 I've found that while typical backpacking/climbing headlamps powered by AAA or AA batteries provide adequate illumination for the ascent/skin up, they are sub-optimal for the descent.   You will need to ski very slowly downhill with such headlamps.
 I find my night skiing enjoyment to much improved using a "Cree T6 LED" powered headlamp that provides over 1000 lumens of illumination.

A spare light is essential
Because you'll literally be "lost in the dark" you must bring a strong spare lamp -- either a headlamp or flashlight . 

Avalanche gear and skills not required.
This trip lies entirely within a developed ski area where the ski patrol manages the avalanche risk.  Therefore I will not be requiring people to bring avalanche gear nor will I be performing beacon checks.     In the event of unusually high avalanche hazard within the developed ski area -- the trip will be canceled. 

Pace groups will be formed
Since this is a workout and the trip leader is old and slow.   At the start we will organize into pace groups -- groups of three or more.  You'll self-identify your pace based on how many laps you want to do.   Front side laps are 1000vft, backside laps are 500 vft.  When a pace group forms -- they agree to stick together for the remainder of the evening both on the uptrack and while skiing down.   I will bring up the rear of the slowest group -- so nobody needs to worry about being a slow poke.    If a pace group finds that they aren't well matched -- I will take slower folks into my group at the "Uphill regroup spot"  on the uptrack and the Ski Patrol shack at the top.  (see map)
     
Summit Uphill Policy 
Please review the Summit's uphill policy
https://summitatsnoqualmie.com/uphill-travel-policy  

The area will not have the lifts spinning, so I don't feel it is necessary to stick to the designated uphill route,  however that might be the preferred route under many snow conditions -- On some prior trips sections of "Hyak Face" were firm enough that ski crampons were desirable -- I think its easier to follow the gentler designated uphill route under such conditions. 

Ski Patrol not available
I don't expect ski patrol to be available to assist with a rescue.   If somebody gets hurt -- the rescue and evacuation will involve the long delays more typical of a backcountry trip.    Please bring enough extra clothing to avoid becoming hypothermic while inactive for many hours. 

Emergencies
If someone gets hurt or is otherwise unable to travel while on the ski hill call me @ 425-736-6493 – if you can’t get a hold of me after three tries – call the Ski Patrol Emergency number 425.434.6794 – If that number doesn’t work call 911.  There is generally good cellular signal coverage at the Summit

Caltopo map of the area: 
https://caltopo.com/m/RM5FR40