Seattle MAC Backcountry Ski Trip - Van Trump Park

TRIP SHEET HERE.

This is an advanced trip. Please read the requirements carefully before signing up! We will teach you how to use your ski crampons. We will also conduct an ice ax and crampon use skill refresher. We will combine use of ice ax, ski carry, and boot crampons on the approach. We will stay below 10,000 feet to avoid the need to pay the Mount Rainier National Park's Annual Climbing Fee or obtain a climbing permit.

Students will either need to have their own alpine touring kit or rent one. Rentals are typically available from Pro Ski & Mountain Sports, Cripple Creek, or Evo. Staff will not be able to assist with rentals and acquiring the gear is the responsibility of participants. MAC has a single transceiver and probe, along with a few shovels, available on first come first served basis (ordering more soon).  If you are renting equipment, we suggest using rental gear ski at least once on that gear before the trip. It would not be fun to learn your climbing skins are in poor condition at the trailhead. 

Snowboarders: Please no snowshoes. If you own or rent a splitboard, please make sure you're familiar with how it works. You should have experience sidehilling in touring mode. 

Prerequisites:

• At least 2 years of in-bounds skiing experience and ability to ski black diamond runs (not necessarily in good style) in any conditions. You must be able to get down the hill and "survival ski."   
• Completion of an AIARE L1 course OR completion of the NIKO course / NIKO badge. The NIKO course is typically offered by NWAC and hosted by MAC/The Mountaineers each winter and has a limited number of spaces and is offered as an adjunct to MAC for an additional fee. Graduating from NWAC's Youth Ambassador program will also give you equivalency and eligibility to participate in MAC backcountry skiing trips. 

Group Carpool!

We will be leaving Wednesday afternoon, June 18, and camp at Big Creek (site 26) so we can have an alpine start on Thursday, June 19.

Comet Falls trailhead, via the Nisqually (Longmire) entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park at 6:00am for a start by 6:30am. This trailhead is 4 miles/10-minute drive time from Longmire, where you can find bathrooms.

• Google Maps link for Comet Falls trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ARSSnCRavbs6mVnR7

Car camping reservations are available at the Big Creek campground, about 6 miles from the park entrance.  The Cougar Rock campground has first come, first served car camping inside the park.

Lodging is available near the Nisqually entrance as well as in the nearby towns of Ashford, Elbe, and Eatonville.  

• Group Carpool!