Described below are a couple rather civilized tours starting at mid-morning(ish) from the upper lot at Alpental. Eli joined me on the first of these well rested adventures, bagging a ski down both Chair Peak Basin and Bryant Coulior. I returned a few days later to take care of some unfinished business and once and for all complete the Chair Peak circumnavigation tour.

While I'm not one to make a big to-do about touring around at a ski area which has been closed for the season, the conditions we experienced at Stevens back in early May warrant an exception. With about 20 inches of snow accumulation at pass level within little more than a 24-hour period and early daytime temps in the 20's, it was yet another unexpectedly late hit of winter ? one that we were quick to capitalize on. Unfortunately, so too were the throngs of snowmobilers who were busy shuttling their ski/snowboard buddies to and from. I must have inhaled the 2 and/or 4-stroke exhaust equivalent of hundred cigarettes that day. Air pollution aside, there was lines aplenty for us to enjoy before the sun came out and worked its magic. More shaded/sheltered aspects remained cold and dry well after we wore ourselves out and called it a day.

After rendezvousing with Eric in Marysville only to realize I'd forgotten my skins at home, plans for a tour somewhere off the recently opened highway 20 were nixed in favor of something a bit closer to home. Neither of us had visited the slopes on Lichtenberg Mountain before and with new snow accumulation at Stevens Pass that day, it seemed like a worthwhile venue all things considered.