When I wrote BACKCOUNTRY SKIING, I had a hard time convincing the editorial committee that the tours in The Book weren't too dangerous, especially since at the time of writing, I was a low, leather shoe, telemarker. (XCD Karhus). Clearly, standards have changed, hahaha!
Having just climbed this peak from the "easy" side on a nice summer day I can say with confidence you are INSANE!!!! This was the NORTH side which is steeper and basically a nasty avalanche chute the whole way down. And.........inspiration for what I intend to do next winter. Thanks.... I think :)
@SkiTheNW Depends on the individuals going up, but I believe it's about a 3000ft climb up. So 3-4 hours up for most, the ski down takes minutes, and the tour out about another hour with the transition, and about half an hour back to negotiate the Phantom Slide Path and to get to the car. Roughhhh estimate, and always allow more time cause tours almost always take longer than expected.
After several years of skiing at Alpental and never having skied the Slot, I this video makes me want to ski it. However, looks like I may need to practice on St. Bernard before I can hit the steeps again.
I still can't believe how cool this video is. It has, in fact, haunted me for some time. I'd love to ski it, but even after avalanche classes & years experience, I'm not sure I could trust my snow pits & analysis enough to do something like this. Well.....maybe...maybe... I was up in this area last week...hmmmm
@anybase33 Thanks! Check out proguiding's website and on the top right of the home page click on "The Book". That has very detailed info about many routes to get to the top!
I know where the couloir is located on Mt. Snoqualmie but is there a skinning route that most people take? Or did you just break trail straight up the face?
this is insanely good video quality for 11 years ago
When does the skiing start? Psh 😽
Wow that looked incredible and also suuuper sketchy. That place looks like an avvy death trap!
When I wrote BACKCOUNTRY SKIING, I had a hard time convincing the editorial committee that the tours in The Book weren't too dangerous, especially since at the time of writing, I was a low, leather shoe, telemarker. (XCD Karhus). Clearly, standards have changed, hahaha!
Having just climbed this peak from the "easy" side on a nice summer day I can say with confidence you are INSANE!!!! This was the NORTH side which is steeper and basically a nasty avalanche chute the whole way down. And.........inspiration for what I intend to do next winter. Thanks.... I think :)
cedartree696 5 years later now... Did you ever do it?
@SkiTheNW
Depends on the individuals going up, but I believe it's about a 3000ft climb up. So 3-4 hours up for most, the ski down takes minutes, and the tour out about another hour with the transition, and about half an hour back to negotiate the Phantom Slide Path and to get to the car. Roughhhh estimate, and always allow more time cause tours almost always take longer than expected.
After several years of skiing at Alpental and never having skied the Slot, I this video makes me want to ski it. However, looks like I may need to practice on St. Bernard before I can hit the steeps again.
It's steep and the video doesn't do justice to the terrain. Backcountry skiing at its best and 40 Miles's from Seattle, gotta love it!
it's a tough hike in and out but when the goods are good it's worth the effort!
Just across from Alpental. Maybe 1/4 mile from the lower lot. But a few thousand feet up
People think that doesn't look steep. It is steep. some of the steepest inbound terrain in north america.
+Chuck Leber wide angle makes it look less steep, but i know its really steep
It's not inbound.
So awesome! Some day I want to ski this.
Great line! So how do you get back to civilization once to commit to the back side of Snoqualmie Mountain?
At 4:25 you can see the saddle we escape through on the right side. It takes you back down toward the Phantom slide path.
I still can't believe how cool this video is. It has, in fact, haunted me for some time. I'd love to ski it, but even after avalanche classes & years experience, I'm not sure I could trust my snow pits & analysis enough to do something like this. Well.....maybe...maybe... I was up in this area last week...hmmmm
It never really does on camera.
@anybase33
Thanks! Check out proguiding's website and on the top right of the home page click on "The Book". That has very detailed info about many routes to get to the top!
ohhhh it is steep my friend
how long/ hard of a hike was this?
High Five! Siiick!
@GHSTRCN thanks, looks incredible up there! loved the video
Its actually quite wide. Probably 50-80ft at most points, but it's been a while since I've been in there... Gets really wide at a few points!
I know where the couloir is located on Mt. Snoqualmie but is there a skinning route that most people take? Or did you just break trail straight up the face?
Nice, just plain nice
from the vid it is hard to tell... how wide would you say that couloir is?
how long does the hike/hike out take?
Carving it up
Wow! Love this
sick bro
It's reasonably steep but not super steep in the grand scheme. It gets hit up almost daily if there is fresh stable snow.
@eemm4477
Yeah... That's what you get when you only spend $300 on a little camera. Wide lenses flatten the terrain out quite a bit.
We were feeling good about the conditions. haha
Oh if only we had a perfect day like that again...
doesnt even look that steep
Nice profile picture haha
i live so close to this mountain and mt baker. i've never been
Great recap of a great line. Congrats on hitting it on such a good day and having such a good run.