Shrinking Snowpack

2007-03-22 19:12:49.000 – Kyle Paddleford,  Observer

No Fog?

Our snowpack, although still present, continues to dwindle. Unfortunately, the morning rain and fog, and much of the same this evening, will only accelerate the process. There is still hope of stopping this though, as a cold front will push through tonight and usher in some colder air, which will act to freeze up the snowpack and stop its impending slow death. I do not intend to imply that winter weather is over; it is just the first time that I have seen the contrast of snow and ice covered rocks going to bare rocks and grasses overnight. I guess it is that time of year though to start complaining about winter slowly losing its grasp on the summit and watching our skiing opportunities slowly start to slip away.

The summit broke free of the fog for a few hours today allowing for a short walk down the auto road and glimpses into the eastern snowfields. There was a lone skier that I saw take a few runs in the snowfields, and judging by the looks of the snow and his tracks, all hope is not yet lost; there is plenty of spring skiing still to be done up here in the mountains. Seeing this I decided to go get my gear and have a quick run, but just my luck…the fog rolled back in. Maybe next time I suppose!

Kyle Paddleford,  Observer