redlude97

Yep, I almost always take DD to the backside to avoid hogsback. If you are referring to aquarius the signage is that way because its much easier to access from jupiter otherwise the traverse is quite long from SC, and aquarius face is black IIRC except for the very far end.

wrathfuldeity

Bakes is a private local corporation that is fiscally conserative, has not leveraged itself to the expense of the customer and has chosen to focus on providing a quality experience of real nature. In this economy they have tightened up some things but there are generally not that noticed by the casual recreationalist.

But you don't like the spring sched

__________________

stickz

you can still get almost there and can access outter limits where if you dip in where it gets flats there is a cool tree run with fresh snow for sure. under SC is black and if there's fresh snow it's easy. Orion is really awesome with fresh snow. if you want to practice something more steep go to Aquarius face. bro you wanna go with me Monday?

jtg

I tried Aquarius face once. I looked like a snowman after. Glad there was so much soft powder, that's all I'll say

I'll see about Monday. It's kinda a work day for me but if things are going to be slow I might be able to swing it.

DrnknZag

Jesus Christ people, it blows my mind how fucking ignorant so many people are about the backcountry around Stevens Pass. Especially since the Tunnel Creek incident last year.

It boggles my mind how many people I see hiking either to Hollywood or towards Wenatchee/Highlands without gear. Specifically yesterday with the high loading of snow and wind. The thing that REALLY set me off yesterday was heading home and seeing 4 snowboarders hiking up Hwy 2 back to the resort, no BC gear whatsoever. Turns out they rode right down one of the biggest slide paths coming down from Grace Lakes to the highway. Not only did they put themselves in danger, but every motorist that crossed that slide path while they were on the slope above.

Since Tunnel Creek last year, I do see more people riding Stevens with gear, but it seems like there's even more riding the backcountry adjacent to Stevens with no gear. It's only a matter of time before someone gets themselves in a bad situation or even killed.

/rant

Clayton Bigsby

Got my Larry Schick POWDER ALERT email this morning, 10-20" Thursday S/L 1500'

stickz

sat night had 17", I saw those kids on my way home. I said to my sister I was surprised anyone would be our there today

huckfin

that's a pretty broad generalization, NEWS FLASH! BC gear does not instantly make you smart, and/or safe when doing side country travel... just because someone is hiking that area without gear does not make them idiots... gear is a backup, if the shit hits the fan... perhaps they have been riding up there a lot longer than you, and just because of one giant slide that killed 3 people, they chose to not let it change everything about the way they do things. some choose to wear gear, some don't, why let it piss you off so much? why do you care? with an attitude like yours you'd likely be one of the first to start a thread on this site and say "i told you so you fucking idiots" if someone died back there again, with or without gear... so don't act like you care, and don't be a gear nazi. you sound just like the helmet nazis... gear or not, people die in avalanches, you can't judge someones intelligence by a backpack. just take care of yourself and stop worrying so much about others; you can't save everyone. /rant

jtg

imagine how much more work the hike back is with a pack full of gear!

wrathfuldeity

Yesterday, Bakes lined up for chair 1 to start loading; the kids all had their airbags on and some old crusty skier a little ways back, talking shit notes. "The tunnel creek thing is just the start....all these kids with their airbags and shit have no idea...thinking they can take more risk and the shit will hit the fan...more will die because more are out there with their false sense of security because of their gear...when it goes off it will take out a whole lot more folks....you just wait and see it happen." While it is a valid point, there is also alot more education and awareness available for those willing to heed the advice...but dumb shits....gene pool selection. I'm sure this skier (they just ignored him) was just making assumptions based on the kids' avy gear and their age and had no idea that their dad is the senior avy trainer for pro and volly patrol, the kids regularly help out patrol and always check-in with patrol about conditions before heading out.

__________________