(Late) Season Backcountry Kick-off Party

Hey all!

Hopefully not posting enough to be like your aunt on Facebook, but @Patrick B and I thought it would be fun to have a BC Kickoff party of sorts to finally welcome the season, and get together some of the rad folks who will be crushing powder in the Panhandle area.

Condition dependent, we were targeting January 8th in the Steven's Peak environs to be inclusive of all human powered recreationist. Also a nice intro to one of the more popular areas for those new to the Panhandle with different zones to check out.

If there is enough interest, we were thinking of assembling in the morning, maybe doing some beacon practice. Then (with enough people) filtering into groups based on areas they would like to explore/skill/comfort level, followed by assembling back at the trailhead for some local brews (Ranier lol), grilling, and chilling. Obviously if people would like to contribute with BYOB and other food, the more the merrier.

So, if this post gets enough commitment to it, we can plan for rough numbers and move forward with it.

Thoughts and suggestions from people with opinions are welcome.
 
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Hey @klwasy - cool idea, I'm there if it happens! Excited to meet some fellow crushers. Relocating from SLC and leaving all my touring partners behind :( Will contribute whatever is needed.
 
Sweet! Well it sounds like there is enough interest to at least start nailing down some deets.

@Patrick B likes to start his mornings at 3 am, but I was thinking it might be more group friendly to meet at 8 am to compromise alpine start with driving. I could be convinced to push that either direction if there was group consensus.

For those of you unfamiliar with the area, you will be heading to the Steven's Lake Trailhead. However, the gate is closed prior to there so you will roughly be arriving here:
upload_2021-12-15_19-41-38.png

https://goo.gl/maps/EkVPqGwjLdiqTfAx7

There's plenty of human powered options from that area we can head to depending on avi conditions. There's a plethora of trip reports on that area if you would like to look into it beforehand.

I will take a guesstimate on how many people are coming based off of responses to this thread and we will bring some brats (with meatless options for the green folks), buns, and beer. Maybe some sides too if we are lucky.
 
@Klawsky Who the hell sleeps in past 3am on a ski day?!?! The ole alpine dark start is becoming more and more lonely these days... But at least I can lay that splitboard skin track that's just a tad too wide for the liking of you skiers...

All joking aside, i'm stoked for this. Will be a good time for sure!
I think you are blurring the line between Alpine start and starting the day before :D
 
Just posting again for visibility.

Longterm forecast looks good (36" between now and Saturday), going to be a ripping good time. Anticipating at least 10 people being there, so we will have plenty of brats and beer to cover that margin. As before, feel free to shoot me a message if you have any questions. See y'all Saturday!
 
One more comment, with the copious amount of powder coming the next couple of days, it is likely the avalanche danger will be high, but please do not let that dissuade you as there are plenty of options we can chose to enjoy the powder and make it back to the cars safely for Montucks!
 
Got my snorkel dusted off and I'm in for Saturday as long as 90 isn't treacherous.

That said - Anyone interested in carpooling? I'm coming from Millwood/Spokane.

- Nick
 
Got my snorkel dusted off and I'm in for Saturday as long as 90 isn't treacherous.

That said - Anyone interested in carpooling? I'm coming from Millwood/Spokane.

- Nick
You are on my way, happy to give you a lift if you are cool committing to being there for Apres lol
 
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