The Valley of the Titans is a north facing cirque that is littered with potential lines. wrapping from East to west it usually has favorable conditions if you are willing to do the long approach. Both Scott and I made a plan to set up basecamp so we could make the most out of our time. With one day of sunshine before another front came in we were on a race against time.
We left the Crystal Mountain parking lot with backpacks full of gear. A switchback at a time we made our way up East Peak working with the steep sidehill. It was a stunningly clear day and both Mount Rainier and Crystal Mountain were on full display.
Making Our Way into Lake Basin to Set Up Camp
Finally we made our way over to Scouts Pass for our first descent of the day. To the south we had a clear view of Cement Basin which from our perspective didn’t have a single track. It had turned out to be a stunning day.
Looking into Lake Basin we could tell it was going to be a great run. It was time to transition for our first run of the day. We decided to hit up some nice trees down the ridge thinking it would potentially have the best snow.
Dropping it we layed our tracks into the blank canvas. Each one of us had our own gullies finding epic and bottomless snow all the way to the flats below.
Once in the flats we dropped off our camping gear as it was our halfway point. We dug a small hole and left the tent and sleeping bags behind before we went back to breaking trail.
Leaving Lake Basin for the Valley of the Titans
Skinning up and over Norse Peak ridge we were now breaking trail through Big Crow Basin. Each step was a challenge as the snow was deep but we knew by now it was worth the turns.
Finally we were on the high ridge and had a different perspective of Crystal Mountain and Mount Rainier. The sky was getting a bit hazy but visibility was perfect. We thought nothing of it as we prepared for our next descent.
Looking back into Big Crow Basin we had traveled quite a bit of ground. It was a rare experience to see Norse Peak from this perspective. The shadows were long as they cast down on the powder covered mountains.
From our perspective it was hard to spot a line to ski. We couldn’t tell if the terrain below cliffed out and decided to traverse the ridge. Hopefully we would see a favorable line as we had no clue what was under us.
Riding into the Valley of the Titans
Finally we spotted a line that seemed to go through. If our prior run was similar conditions then this would be some epic turns. With my board strapped in it was time to let gravity take over.
It turned out to be amazing snow from top to bottom as we opened up all the way to the flats below. We had scored on both the weather and the conditions but we had little time to celebrate. With it being so far away we need to keep moving if we wanted another lap.
Breaking trail we found a safe spot to access the ridge. Fortunately it was still somewhat early in the day and we planned to use the track again. Making our way towards the top we were excited about potentially getting in another powder run.
Heading up the ridge we finally had a better view of the terrain. From our new perspective it seemed as if the lines we were originally looking at went.
Another Lap in the Valley of the Titans
Finally we found another line that looked good. Knowing already how the conditions were I quickly put the nose of my board over the edge. My blood was pumping and I was ready to be lost in a world of white. Soon enough it was time to drop in.
It was powder perfection as I made my way to the bottom. Looking back up at my turns I was happy with our decision. It had been a long skin out to the area but it was worth the effort.
Leaving the Valley of the Titans for a Sunset Run off Norse Peak
By now the day was getting late so we made our way towards Norse Peak. From the summit we would be able to ride back to camp so we could take in the sunset from up top. After an hour skin to the summit the light was starting to drop over the horizon. To the South the peaks in the distance were glowing in the alpenglow.
Looking towards Crystal Mountain and Mount Rainier we could see some clouds coming in. We didn’t think anything of it as it was such a nice day.
Before long it was time to ride back to camp. We strapped into our snowboards and enjoyed a powder run down the south face of Norse Peak. Within a few minutes we were back at camp and ready to get some sleep. It had been a long bu worthwhile day.
Day 2 Waking up in the Middle of a Storm
We went to bed under a clear sky but that didn’t last long. The winds were so strong that they pushed the walls of our tent around all night. The next mourning when we woke up and looked outside to find all our tracks had disappeared. We were getting plastered with wind that felt like they were going 60 mph. It took us a while to pack up almost loosing our tent as it flew up the valley 100 feet before grabbing it.
Knowing that the snow was so good the day before we battled over taking another lap. In the end we decided to dig a pit and check out how the snow was.
It seemed to be stable so we dropped down a east facing chute in deeper conditions then the day before. Between the wind and the snow plumes we couldn’t see anything until we were at the bottom.
Getting Caught in a Slab as we Try to Exit
When we started our skin track it was all flat except for a steep section at the top of a gully. As I started skinning across the 20 foot steep section it fractured 1 foot deep and took me for a ride. I slid about 100 feet and stopped about 20 feet short of a group of trees.
With all the wind loading I should have know better but we were on a race against time. We could have easily wrapped around as it would have taken an additional 10 minutes. At the time I felt it was okay as our run had seemed stable. Thinking of it afterwords it was a convex roller. Although a small slide it was a learning experience.
This time around we took the lower route and were able to make it to our camping gear. We quickly packed up and made sure to put in a skin track in the safest spots possible. Soon enough we were back on Scouts Pass and ready to ride down East Peak.
Our Exit Run Down East Peak to Crystal Mountain
After a few minutes of traversing we had finally made it over to the fall line trees. Everywhere we looked the snow was deep. Though it was a challenge with our heavy packs we were looking forward to the run below us.
Dropping in we were riding powder for the full 2,500 feet. Even when we made it to the Gold Hills Groomer was buried in a foot of new snow. Though we had made a small mistake it was an amazing trip. Soon enough we were back at the Crystal Mountain Car Park.
The weather was Bipolar as Saturday was bluebird while Sunday was gale force winds. The trip was great though and a learning experience.
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