To celebrate the Paradise gate being fully open again, and finally being able to see the mountain from Seattle after a cloudy winter, I drove up for an after work lap. I had all of the Paradise to Muir route and sunset to myself. That real and humbling feeling of the summit towering above, distances stretching out, and no human dotting that landscape. Just me and Tahoma (Mt. Rainier).

 

The upper snowfield firmed up a little when the sun cast a long shadow over it. Most of the turns were as expected: slippery and slushy, but not terrible.

 

So what are conditions like higher up on the mountain? If you've read NWAC's special avalanche bulletin, then you have the right idea.

 

Instability, wet loose. It's not that bad yet, but will continue to get worse. There's a crown on the Wilson Glacier. I met a female ski ranger on my final descent back to the parking lot, and she said only one group had gotten a permit the day before. They turned around early.

 

I'm sharing what I've learned and seen so people have more information to make their decisions. Also hopefully, some inspiration to reconnect with the part of Washington that most feels like home. (Even if that means waiting out this hot avy cycle or making soggy turns on the Muir snowfield after work.)