freedan
New member
2-7-09 Whiteface
Driving up to the High Peaks, we immediately noticed the temperature inversion. The high points on Rt. 8 were up to 12F and the river/lake valleys were as cold as -1F. Warm air was aloft. We made the customary stop at the Peaks rest area on 87 around 6:30am, there were several people gearing up in the lobby before the final 15 minute drive to Keene Valley discussing the day's objectives (perhaps other VFTT members?).
After a brief breakfast stop, we got to the Whiteface Toll Road House, got the skins on the skis, packs ready to go about by 8:30, and began the skin up the road. We noted the temperature inversion once again as it was at least 15 degrees warmer than the valley below.
We headed up the mountain, noting the high winds but very mild temperatures. Initially the skies were hazy with the sun breaking through on occasion. The winds were howling on the corners, but still no need to layer up, even going without hats or gloves much of the time. The snow was still relatively light and fluffy though, and the road had solid coverage save for a few windblown corners that had deep drifts either on the inside or outside depending on the the exposure.
Our objective initially was to ski the summit ridge and the snowfields above the ski area slides. However, the cloud cover moved in just as we got to the castle and visibility decreased dramatically, especially as we hiked up the stairs to the summit to check out the ridgeline above the face slides.
We decided skiing the snowfields in a whiteout not to be the best idea and I checked the avalanche stability of the Toll Road Slides, which had acceptable coverage over the ice, and decided it was skiable (pic from on the way up before clouds rolled in).
Upper slide was a bit sketchy, survival turns, and lower slide had soft windblown and made for decent skiing.
Back on the toll road it was a fast cruise out with the snow getting significantly heavier below 3500'. We would be moving along and almost come to a screeching halt when we hit a patch of really wet snow. Numerous rollers were observed as trees dumped their loads on steep slopes beside the road. At the car, the temperature was above 40F and again down beside the Ausable the temperature was 33F. We ran into very light rain but not freezing rain on the way home down route 8. A great day out!
Driving up to the High Peaks, we immediately noticed the temperature inversion. The high points on Rt. 8 were up to 12F and the river/lake valleys were as cold as -1F. Warm air was aloft. We made the customary stop at the Peaks rest area on 87 around 6:30am, there were several people gearing up in the lobby before the final 15 minute drive to Keene Valley discussing the day's objectives (perhaps other VFTT members?).
After a brief breakfast stop, we got to the Whiteface Toll Road House, got the skins on the skis, packs ready to go about by 8:30, and began the skin up the road. We noted the temperature inversion once again as it was at least 15 degrees warmer than the valley below.
We headed up the mountain, noting the high winds but very mild temperatures. Initially the skies were hazy with the sun breaking through on occasion. The winds were howling on the corners, but still no need to layer up, even going without hats or gloves much of the time. The snow was still relatively light and fluffy though, and the road had solid coverage save for a few windblown corners that had deep drifts either on the inside or outside depending on the the exposure.
Our objective initially was to ski the summit ridge and the snowfields above the ski area slides. However, the cloud cover moved in just as we got to the castle and visibility decreased dramatically, especially as we hiked up the stairs to the summit to check out the ridgeline above the face slides.
We decided skiing the snowfields in a whiteout not to be the best idea and I checked the avalanche stability of the Toll Road Slides, which had acceptable coverage over the ice, and decided it was skiable (pic from on the way up before clouds rolled in).
Upper slide was a bit sketchy, survival turns, and lower slide had soft windblown and made for decent skiing.
Back on the toll road it was a fast cruise out with the snow getting significantly heavier below 3500'. We would be moving along and almost come to a screeching halt when we hit a patch of really wet snow. Numerous rollers were observed as trees dumped their loads on steep slopes beside the road. At the car, the temperature was above 40F and again down beside the Ausable the temperature was 33F. We ran into very light rain but not freezing rain on the way home down route 8. A great day out!
Last edited:
