Mt Bachelor Reopens Tomorrow 6/11/12 + Pics

[schubwa]

It snowed again on Friday night, not surprising as we're in another "June-uary" with cool temps and precipitation. According to Joe d'Aleo of Weather Bell, this is the fifth spring in a row the PNW temperatures have been below the 30 year average. According to schubwa (pronounced shoe-bwah: Admin) of those five, four had above to way above normal precipitation.

So I went skiing. There was about 5" new and I'm glad I had my classic skis rather than skate skis but I really should have brought my snowboard and hiked the cone. The tracks looked great up there and lots of folks were skinning up for freshies.

The Nordic area will reopen tomorrow Monday June 11th for ski camps, teams and Spring Pass holders. Grooming starts today. The US Nordic Ski Team, the Canadian Team, the US and Canadian Biathlon and the US Paraolympic Biathlon team and numerous clubs from across the west just finished the early camp with great conditions. This late camp slingshots those athletes right into their summer programs. I heard the US Team is headed for the Dachstein Glacier in Austria rather than New Zealand. Probably better weather for training plus there is an unbelievable network of roller ski only paved trails plus awesome hiking trails for dry land.

Also reopening are the Pine Martin and Skyliner lifts at Mt Bachelor. Tons of alpine teams are coming for two weeks to train gates on those lifts. They will NOT be open for the public. I guess the teams prefer the Mt Bachelor option to Timberline due to way easier lift access and the far superior (we're talking light years) lodging, restaurants, bike trails, beer, etc. that is available in Bend. Did I mention they make pretty good beer in Bend?


Here is a view back towards the Pinnacles, Summit Chair and Century Drive from the true summit. It's a short hike from the top of the Summit Chair. These shots are from closing day: May 27th, 2012.


Looking north towards the Sisters and Broken Top.


Coming down the West Bowls above the top of the NWX Chair. You could drop another 800 vert and then veer off on a cat road that traverses across upper Outback Express and comes out at the compression at the base of the cone. You're back at Pine from there. This was due to NWX and Outback being closed for the season (whatever).


Just another powder day at Mt Bachelor, this time on closing day. Sure, it got sticky about 11 but then it was down to the Pond Skimming Comp and the obligatory local beverages.


I'm already dreaming about soft wind drifts and powder days coming after what's shaping up to be another short summer.

[Tony Crocker]

No Summit for DH training? I have inquired and it is likely there will be a public opening of Summit for the weekend of 6/30-7/1, coverage permitting. Final call will be made about 6/20. I bought plane tix to Portland for 6/28-7/3, will be in Bend for the weekend in any case and at Timberline Friday/Monday.