Feb 13, 2010
Our day started with reading the morning snow report on Feb 13th CNFAIC as we do each morning, to track the snow and weather in the back country. They reported new snow all week, but more important were the high winds in Turnagain Arm all week which transported this new snow onto and around slopes, adding stress to all angles. Hazards were high in the back country
Our day started with reading the morning snow report on Feb 13th CNFAIC as we do each morning, to track the snow and weather in the back country. They reported new snow all week, but more important were the high winds in Turnagain Arm all week which transported this new snow onto and around slopes, adding stress to all angles. Hazards were high in the back country
We opted for what we consider a "local ski" which means a max. 45 min drive. We stayed away from Turnagain for the day.
Skip, Cindy and I had full sun, little wind, and nice snow throughout our day.
We climbed up and around and back, trying to decide what and where to ski. We ended up choosing a summit we had never skied and got views of Eagle River that we had not gotten before.
The camera was out a lot.
Skip, Liz and Cindy
As we got to the top of this new summit, I decided to take some panoramic pics of the Eagle River Valley. In view were a few locations we like to ski, one is the location of skip's avalanche in in 2002 known as Three Bowl.
I thought the below picture was nice of skip over looking Eagle River Valley and Three Bowl.
Ironically and sadly what we were unaware of was the location we were looking at and talking about had a fatal avalanche 1 hour after this photo was taken.
Again, unaware of the tragedy across the valley, we de-skinned , grabbed some lunch and ended up making it a 4 run day, due to great snow and sunny slopes.
Cindy Shredding
Skip spotting Cindy on her run
Skip making it burn
Our climb out was bordering sun down, but we had incredible views of Denali and the city.
Coming out, we still found delightful user friendly powder.
At the end of the day, on our drive home we talked about the hazards of the day and how we had a premonition about today. Whenever you have bluebird skis, new snow, holiday weekend, you have higher risk for accidents. Unfortunately, two fatal avalanches occurred on this day, one snow machine, at Grandview and one skier triggered , in Three Bowl. Our thoughts go out to the families.
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