Granite Mountain, Granite Mountain - Winter — Thursday, Mar. 31, 2016

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

Splendid day in a splendid week. Pretty low Avalanche danger today, so I took a swing at Granite Mtn (after having a route finding error and insane winds turn me back last month). I suggest starting as early as you can--I started about 9:30 and the snow was not "in condition" as they used to say. A little wet and very post-holey. The Av chute is pretty tame and I expected to see some boot tracks crossing it to the summer trail, but no. Probably for the best. I followed boot tracks and stayed left of the chute, though closer than I'd like if it was a high danger day. Once out of the trees, I veered left to climb the rocks on the ridge--too much post-holing otherwise. Coming down a couple hours later was ridiculous--I sank to my hips more often than not. Butt glissading worked surprisingly well (wet soft snow?) when I didn't feel like sinking all the way. Recommendations: Start early before sun turns snow to quicksand. Snowshoes didn't seem to help one guy I passed. I went boots only but my gaiters were vital. Gaiters! Trekking poles and maybe even an ice axe. Sun screen, and if it's still hot as today, a couple spare shirts. I worked up such a sweat my glacier glasses fogged up despite having the side shields off. And then they weren't foggy, they were pooled with sweat. A sweaty 3:12 up, spectacular views for 25 minutes, and about 90 minutes down. Fine day.