Wallowa Ski Trip - March 2008
March 7th
After breakfast in Joseph we drove to the Sno-Park, assembled our gear and headed up to the hut. Our ski in was quick due to easy snow conditions and a nice skin track to the hut. In camp, we unpacked our gear and then headed out for some turns with much lighter packs. We found breakable crust in most places, but discovered that shaded areas were in good shape. Our group followed a track up White Bark Ridge and then dropped down into 2nd bowl. After a number of turns, we traversed the lower section of the bowl and then climbed up the northeast ridge of The Pyramid for a ski down to the hut through Mini Bowl. We were all pleased to have traveled so far in half a day. Two years ago we never made it to 2nd bowl because of such deep snow.
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Map of Wing Ridge Area |
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From left to right: Peter, Kevin, Tom and Jen. |
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Loading up the cars |
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Where we spent the night in Joseph |
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Skiing up towards 2nd Bowl |
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2nd Bowl |
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Kevin climbing up White Bark Ridge |
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Little Sheep Divide |
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Tom in 1st Bowl |
March 8th
We woke today to dense fog throughout the entire Wing Ridge area. Temperatures today were in the upper 20’s. We headed back to White Bark Ridge to ski the Cabin Creek Run two times. The snow was in great shape, especially the lower section of the run in the burn. Our group returned to camp for lunch and hot drinks. After the break, we donned skis again and climbed up the northeast ridge of The Pyramid for another run down Mini Bowl. The snow was breakable crust yielding to soft snow lower down near the trees. Simon, Jen and I then returned to camp, while Kevin, Peter, Jason and Tom climbed back up into the lower section of 1st Bowl. They came back to camp with ear-to-ear grins due to the great snow in this section.
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Having a snack on White Bark Ridge |
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Kevin and Jen climbing up toward The Pyramid |
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Kevin and Jen climbing up toward The Pyramid |
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Jason and his frosty sideburns |
