Western Whites Wild Rumpus '16-'17

[Bob T]

Ventured out in the falling snow to an old favorite that is now finally in.


We hadn't visited here in a while and the dogs were having a blast.








On the way back noticed fresh moose tracks that weren't there when we skied in! Kind of funny to have him/her walking right next to our track for 100' or so.


Got quite a few pictures of auto-focused snow orbs instead of whatever it was I was trying to shoot.

[Bob T]

Today's foray started with liberal application of glide wax.


The conditions were partially corned-up slurpy with tons of rushing meltwater...


...which was thoroughly enjoyed by the most aquatic member of our squad.






There's this weird green stuff showing through here and there. What is this? Unnerving.






I prefer less chromatics - at least until it's inevitably Spring.






In case you were wondering where all the base is going.

[Bob T]

Cold out there!

Plenty of snow. No slope.


Cruising the featureless forest.




Look mom! A turn!


Stalking the wild Coops.


Kaboom!


Staring up at the sky after crashing. Mocked by trees.


Ended up linking a few turns along the margin of this field which was nice.

[Bob T]

Ladies and gentlemen, this is what a stream crossing should look like.


The dogs and I snuck out yesterday for some vitamin Daylight and found that unlike the end-o-Feb big dump which went poof almost as soon as it fell, this one consolidated, bridged everything, and has turned into a base on which there happens to be a turnable frosting! Instant woods reprieve. March is going out like a snow lion.

Coyote tracks. How do I know they're not from my dogs? Because to the upper left you can see they're drifted over. They were put down in the last few days while we weren't there. Cooper went sprinting off following some and I kept one ear to the wind fearing a yelping with a sudden ending. The animals of the woods are hungry right now. Bearses will be waking up shortly.


Awesome storm paving.


Note to self. When you see a nice stretch of slippery crust and decide that it looks like perfect place to do a spin DO NOT DO IT WHEN YOU ARE ON FISHSCALES. The backwards part doesn't work too well. Abrupt stop!


Roo is my co-pilot. Coops is crashed behind the seat somewhere.

[Bob T]

Was also out with the pups. The woods is holding out nicely. For the time being anyway. At 2900' and above the snow dried out which I wasn't expecting. Climbed to 3300' and enjoyed the most bc turns I've had all season.

Brought to you by chocolate chip peanut butter crunch.


Downward.


Sasafrassinsprucein.


Periodic openings. This is more or less DRY snow! Just a wee crust. Inconsequential.




Looked down at the GoPro at one point and --- uh oh -- gone! Jumped off the chest mount. Left the helmet and gloves and climbed back up 150' and just barely found it.


Roo, who is smart and lazy, hung out by the helmet and did not join in the search. Climbing? Oh no. I'm done climbing. Human come back to important thing hung in tree. I stay here.


This is the most coyote sign I've ever seen in the woods. Two of them. Must have just been there. A neighbor says he's seen more bobcat in the woods than coyote. Elusive.


Dropped down into the featureless forest from above and it was a blast to bomb. Wide open. Skied off boulders. Everything paved. Turn (almost) wherever you want.






Hang time.


Gloppy, but still turn friendly down lower.

[Bob T]

Banged out a tour this afternoon with the zogs in an area that I've always wanted to explore. Turned out to be a dud. Way too much understory in the steep part. Of course, it was a fine excuse to get the engine revved up climbing and ski so I ain't complaining!


This, in case you were wondering, is not the steep part. But it is a pretty stretch of woods.




Road home.


Bonus pic. Roo, the aqua-hound, from last week.

[Bob T]

Some pics from Saturday. Dryish above 2400', but a bit sticky below that. Dog maintenance. They had Musher's Secret on their paws. Should have put it on their haunches, too.


In the dry zone. This run yielded some high volume hooting.


Below the dry zone.


Cover girl in flight.