Ski/snowshoe Palmer Snowfield (4/17/10)

The weather was questionable, but we decided to stick with our Saturday plan to ski/snowshoe from Timberline Lodge (6,000 feet) to the top of the Palmer Snowfield (8,500 feet) with friends Sarah, Jacob, Lindsey and Tyler.

It started with sprinkles and ominous high clouds as we moved up the first mile/1,000 feet to Silcox Hut for a snack break. Then as we tackled the last mile/1,500 feet, fog moved in and a little snow started, leaving us in a near whiteout. But because the Palmer ski lift wasn't operating, we cut left across the snowfield and stayed near the lift towers to provide clear direction for our hike.

The sun poked out a couple times, offering brief views of the valley below. But we never really saw the mountain in front of us. Here's our view toward the summit from the top of Palmer:
Very exciting, huh?!

But the wind was calm and the temp wasn't bad, so we hung out a bit to refuel and rest up.
Then Brad removed the skins from his skis, and we strapped our snowshoes to our packs and prepared to descend. Brad skied down with ease on the fresh snow while we glissaded on our butts, passing around the WHAM-O.

When we reached to bottom, Brad, Tyler, Jacob and I played a bit with ice axes, practicing self arrest on a slope near the climbers' parking lot. By then, the sun was out (but the summit was still shrouded) so we relaxed for a few minutes, throwing snowballs and enjoying our last moments on the mountain. Mom called and invited us all to BBQ at their house, so we packed up and headed back to town for a yummy dinner to end the day.

The weather was less than ideal, but we still had a nice adventure. Hopefully they'll come again sometime when the sun is out and we can stare at the beautiful 11,240-foot summit as we make our way up.

:)