| Notes
Just some stuff of interest from the 98/99 season;
First measurable snow: 10/28/98
Last measurable snow: 06/06/99 (both unofficial)
Season Total: Unknown at this time.
Last season really only had 3 weeks of bad conditions, from 12/28-1/16
then it was snow snow snow until May. Lets hope it holds up this
year as it did last.....
6/13/99 My last day of snowboarding Hyak My actual last
day of snowboarding the face was June 2 from the summit down to Keechelus
but the snow is a bit thin now so I did Blowdown on down to the cat-track
and just before the turn at the Oly can I ran into patches of no-snow where
the sun had been hitting. I finally did make it down but it was not the
easiest time. My measuring stick shows 8" today but for any practical
purpose you can call it ZERO. It did snow again last sunday but not much
more then a thin white coat that melted soon after it was over. Its
been a good year and only 4 more months before we start looking for snow
to fall again.
Base: ~0
5/16/99 A light rain is falling and the snow melt is speeding
along now. Last year at this time the slopes were pretty much bare
up to the Olympia Can/Tower but still there is good coverage all the way
down to the lodge except for where the creeks have melted the snow.
Need to keep an eye out for holes in the snow from creeks and/or brush
and small trees.
Base: 3-5 feet
5/09/99
Mothers Day weekend and its snowing? There is actually more
snow this weekend then the previous with the cooler temp. throughout the
week and the occasional snowfall. The slopes were very good with no slow
snow today.
Base: 6+ feet
5/02/99
New snow, and is May? In the morning it was snowing at the
lower end of the mountian but by noon it was light rain up to about midway
on the slopes and then up top it was snowing pretty good. About 3"
of new snow at the summit which provided the best conditions in a month
(new-clean snow). Still good coverage from top down to the parking
lot!
Base: 7+ feet
4/17/99
After a brief dump the first week of April the snow has been melting
fairly consistantly. Fortunatly there has been little rain and the temprature
still gets to the freezing point at night so the morning snow is in pretty
good condition for an early run, a little slow in the afternoon. I was
up Saturday for a very brief period so I didn't get any pictures but noticed
the snow had gone down about 2' from the weekend before. I should soon
be able to see the measurning stick (8' long) if its still standing after
being under all that snow. I'll be up Saturday, its suppose to be
another scorcher, in the 60's so bring sun block!
Base: 9+ feet
3/23/99
The snow is finally starting to melt and the lifts have been closed
for almost a month, but don't fret...there is still alot of snow
to play in. If you are thinking of trying backcountry hiking
and have never done so Hyak is a great place to start. If you reach the
top and feel you have alot of energy left then head down Hidden Valley,
but the snow back that side is softer and you may need snowshoes to get
back up. Also, don't forget the WAX. The wet snow is also slow snow
and without wax its a drag on a snowboard when you stop and have
to unbuckle. For those who are going up saturday, I'll see you up
there. If you see a guy with a snowboard taking pictures make sure you
smile! Also, pictures have been added to the photo the past couple
weeks, check them out...and don't forget to email me yours today!
Base: 12+ feet
2/28/99
Snow was great Saturday even though they had predicted rain it snowed
ALL DAY. Blowdown and Dinosaur were the best runs by far since the
more gradual slopes had too much powder and would cause you to sink.
I heard a rumor that they MIGHT keep Hyak open for another week but I'm
not betting on it. (I'll believe it when I see it) Booth Creek doesn't
like to run the Hyak area as it is but who knows, maybe management actually
SKIED the area and found out how cool it is. I'll let you know when I hear
something. BTW, if you look at the cam shot it was taken across the
street from my cabin. In the summer that ground behind the guy standing
there is flat.
Base: 13+ feet
2/9/99
I went up to Hyak for just a couple hrs. and the snow conditions
are excellent! Its been awhile since I remember snow this good and
if you can get up to Alpental before the weekend or any of the WA ski areas
before thursday I highly recommend it. I saw NWCN on the weather report
and they mentioned rising snow levels thursday - saturday so take advantage
now before the snow turns to heavy sludge.
Base: A Shit-Load
2/7/99
The amount of snow that is on the ground is amazing. The big
problem I've been having is that I have to spend most of my day shoveling
so it leaves me with little time to get up on the slopes. Because
I had to park at the ski resort parking lot and walked up I forgot my digital
camera in the rig so I just snapped a pic of the dead snowplow (thats the
reason for the lame cam shot)
I'll get some good shots next weekend!
Base: 11 Feet +
1/31/99
My measuring stick has long been burried now, it only was 8 feet
tall and the snow level is now well past 9 feet. Conditions today
(sunday) are hard pack with new snow on top. (hard pack from the rain that
fell friday).
Base: 9 Feet +
1/17/99
It was snowing hard all day and when I left Monday morning about
3' had fallen since friday. Sunday conditions were excellent on the upper
mtn., snow was a little heavy later in the day on the lower end but
not too bad. Visibility was the biggest problem I faced but overall it
was an EXCELLENT day at Hyak. If you make it over next weekend make
sure you take a run down Blowdown! Base report missing this report,
didn't get out to the measuring stick.
Base: Lots of POW
1/16/99
This morning there was about 6" of new snow, not too heavy and its
still snowing at the time I left the area (10:00am). Today and Sunday should
be great!
Base: 57"
1/10/99
Well, it seems the snow that was falling when I left Saturday morning
stopped shortly after, snow levels went up and light rain started falling
pretty much the rest of the day. Sunday I was planning to hit the slopes
but it was raining hard when I got up and continued until around 11am so
I decided to hike up and got a run in. The snow was pretty good and those
who were riding the lifts the rest of the day had great conditions and
very small crowds. The snow situation is beginning to get scary with high
snow levels, rain, and now warm wind blowing. (It looks like April
conditions)
Base: 53"
1/9/99
Snowing hard at 10:00am. Minimal snow has been lost over the past
week with temps running around the freezing level. If the snow level stays
down tomorrow could be a great day. Lifts are running!
Base: 55"
1/6/99
Snow is reported to be in the forcast for this weekend, lets keep
our fingers crossed. I've added the Mission Ridge WebCam to
our list of Cam's, check it out. I've also added a Skier Responsability
Code link that I found at the Ski Acres Ski Patrol page.
Since we hear skiers complain alot about snowboarders not following
the rules of the mountain I thought I'd post a link to the "Skiers Responsibility
Code" so those that don't know can at least get a look at it.... I plan
on being on the Mtn. this weekend, hope to see you wankers up there.
1/1/99
It was snowing light early on but cleared up later and was really
nice. About 2" of fresh on top of the old snow. The snow is not hard as
I still sink up to my knees or beyond. The rains of last week really
did a number on the new snow as up to 2' melted. The season starts tomorrow,
I saw the groomers working the mtn. all day friday and was assured that
Saturday the area was to be open.
Base: 59"
12/27/98
It was snowing HARD all day and the quality of the snow was good,
fairly light. Too bad most couldn't get up to enjoy it since they
closed the pass and I saw very few people on the new HSQ at Central, or
at either resort for that. Snow is stacking up and its looking
good for a great snowpack through April at Hyak!
Base: 74"
12/22/98
Its COLD COLD COLD! Temprature has been running below zero
at night and little new snow means plenty of hard-pack snow.
Base: 54"
12/7/98
Looks to be 2-3' of new since last weekend and this snow is much
drier also. Pictures (cam) are not available because I let
a friend borrow my digital camera but will be back soon. Got
in a run on the face Sunday morning and the deep powder was a little slow
because my board kept sinking (needs to be adjusted for powder).
I placed a measuring stick/pole in the ground a few weeks ago out back
of my cabin so all measurements are coming from that point. My cabin sits
at the same level as the loading area for the upper lift. It only reads
to 8 1/2' max, so once we are beyond that point its all guessing.
Base: 50"
12/4/98
Picture section has been redone, check it out. The Summit
is now OPEN!
12/02/98
Sunday turned out to be a pretty good snow day. Around 11am
I hiked up to the summit of Hyak and found that a groomer had come over
from Central, headed up to the ski patrol cabin, then back down all the
way to the base following the cat track. Well this made for a nice groomed
run all the way down! I noticed a couple other tracks on the groomed
cat track as I was hiking up so others also made the same run. Looks
like there was 3 1/2 feet of snow up top and almost 2' at the base and
now with all of the new snow there should be alot of good powder.
Looks like the Summit will be kicking off the season this weekend!
Base: 23" |
