TRIP REPORT - Tye Peak Attempt - 3/3/18

Skinning across Skyline Lake

There were three more deaths in the mountains today and I don't feel right writing up a whole  trip report, but here's a brief overview, some photos, and a map, because I couldn't find a detailed route description with a map. 

Even before we got back and learned about what had happened, today was about conservative calls.  Even though the avalanche danger was "only" moderate, there was a persistent slab issue lurking 3 to 5 feet down in the snowpack, so we made a conservative trip choice and then chose to stick to low angle terrain and ridges.  Our plan was to summit Tye Peak via its south ridge, but once we reached the saddle below the peak, we took stock.  Warming temperatures and direct sunlight were causing loose wet slough and roller balls, and cornices hung along the ridge towards the summit.  So we bailed and lapped the north-facing slopes, where shaded powder gave us great turns.  It was a beautiful day.

Tye Peak Attempt

7.7 miles total and ~3,600 ft of overall elevation

The red and yellow show slope angle - the darker the color, the steeper the terrain (up to 60 degrees).  The most dangerous avalanche terrain between 30 to 45 degrees (orange and red), and we tried to stay off it as much as possible.

Pinwheels and roller balls made it obvious how much things were warming up.

North face of the first ridge we crossed, where we lapped the low angle powder