12/29 - Snow Shoe and Hot Cocoa - Snoqualmie Pass

I have 28 pairs of Loaner Snow Shoes, The snow has started to fall again, yeah!! (hopefully it doesn't all melt), so it's time to schedule another snowshoe, Haven't you ever looked out over a beautiful mountain vista and thought to yourself what a nice place this would be for a hot cocoa with friends. I'm planning on hauling up a stove so that we can have cocoa with the best people and the best views. We'll be doing an afternoon (approx 3-5 miles) Snowshoe at Snoqualmie Pass. We'll meet for carpools in Issaquah instead of Bellevue based on feedback from people on the headache of the post function and the carpool parking being so far apart. Please post if you can drive or if you need to carpool. I have 24 pairs of loaner snow shoes, so let me know if you need to borrow and make a comment in your RSVP, so that I don't forget. My cell # is 206.313.0107 This is a cross posted event, I have cross posted this to the Pacific NW Hiking Group and the Get Up and Get Out Group. If it's full here look in the other group. Carpools - We will figure out the carpools at the park and ride. Each rider should plan on pitching in $8 for gas, etc. to the drivers.

I will be coming from north Seattle and probably taking I-90, I have a Toyota 4 runner, and I really don't like driving so if someone is up for driving it, we can use it.

Carpool to the Carpool - Saul's "bus" info - Due to my having two events, this snowshoe and a moonlight snowshoe, other than the Eastgate and Issaquah stops, I will only give rides to people doing both events, as I won't be back in Seattle until almost midnight. I will only be stopping at the stops that people actually sign up for, so if you want me to get you at one of these stops, put it in your RSVP Saul's carpool "bus" schedule: Leave house in Kenmore 8:30am -

Eastgate P&R - 9:20am - Malia J, Rebecca S, Kelly, Irene

Issaquah P&R 9:55am

Saul's cell 206.313.0107 *** Please note: Actual Snow Shoe Route choices will be updated to reflect conditions including avalanche danger. Carpool time and location will remain the same. Most Snow shoe routes will be fairly flat and away from the slopes for safety reasons ******* Avalanche Forecast link: http://www.nwac.us/forecast/avalanche/current/zone/3/ "

You'll notice that the south facing slopes where we will be are relatively safer, but you still want to stay clear of avalanche chutes and not be below open hillsides that could release on top of you. Most of todays routes are well clear of these hazards, If the snowpack is heavy, the back part of Gold Creek as well as portions of Kendall are riskier, we will shorten the route to stay away from that area on the Gold Creek, but if you decide to do Kendall please be familiar with the risks. We'll meet at 9:55am in the Park & Ride and head out at 10:10, the plan is to snow shoe from 11:30am until about 2:00pm and then head back down and grab a bite and a brew at the Issaquah Brewery. I expect to post 3-4 route choices so that people will have time to select. If the snow levels are high, we will have some climbing to get started. We will do sign in sheets so that each leader knows who they are responsible for keeping track of. We will have leaders for each route choice and we will probably start multiple groups 15 minutes apart on the easier route(s) based on demand. Hope to see you there.

Saul I have loaner Snow Shoes for 28 people.

I am bringing loaner snow shoes for: Myself; Karin S, Nancy M, Maryann, Christie W, , Malia J, K, Mint, Tor, Rebecca S, Vivian, Shelah, Donna Melcher, Donna Melcher guest

(PNWHB), (GUGO),

You need to bring your own boots or shoes to wear with them and keep your feet warm. If you like to use poles you'll need to bring your own. The people that I am recruiting as leaders, I'll pair you in groups of two. Let me know if you have any concerns Have an idea which route interests you, we will split into carpools at the Park & Ride for the various routes.

9:55 AM-10:10 AM - Meet for carpools and decide on which route we are snow shoeing (I will have gone up on Friday, so I should know where there is adequate snow) 10:30AM - Meet T in North Bend 10:50 AM-11:00 AM - Meet at Travelers rest, Snoqualmie Pass, use the restrooms 11:15 AM - Meet at trailhead nearby 11:30 AM - Start snowshoeing 2:00-2:15 PM - Back to the trailhead 3:00 PM - Meet at the Issaquah Brewhouse (http://www.rogue.com/locations/rogue-breweries.php#1), 35 West Sunset Way in Issaquah, for lunch and beer Note: due to varying weather/snow conditions, we may not be back by 3:00, so please keep your afternoon open in case we finish later. Sno-Park Permits are required at most locations starting December 1st - see email from Winter@PARKS.WA.GOV pasted below. Buy one online (http://www.parks.wa.gov/winter/permits/).

What to bring: You need to bring your own boots or shoes to wear with the snowshoes and keep your feet warm. If you like to use poles you'll need to bring your own. To make sure you have everything, use this snowshoe checklist: http://www.rei.com/content/dam/documents/pdf/snowshoe-day-hiking.pdf

Please note: The actual snowshoe route choice will be updated to reflect conditions including avalanche danger. Carpool time and location will remain the same. Most snowshoe routes will be fairly flat and away from the slopes for safety reasons. Avalanche Forecast link: http://www.nwac.us/forecast/avalanche/current/zone/3/

Possible routes based on avalanche conditions:

Intended Routes to chose from:

Commonwealth basin, no permit, 3-5 miles, 1000 feet gain - T will lead this one and Julain is the backup.

Source Lake area loop, avalanche danger is too high to go all the way to the lake so we will loop around in the woods nearer Alpental, sno Park Permit required - approx 3-5 miles, rolling hills - Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet High Point: 4,100 feet. I will lead this one and Karen V is the backup.

I know that this event usually fills up really quick and I'd like everyone to be able to go so I will need help from others that are willing to lead, my preference is that you have some familiarity with the route, have a map, can navigate, have some first aid experience and are skilled at managing squirells in a fun way ;-) 1) Leading one of the routes - we will be in areas with legal party size restrictions of 8-12 people max, I will identify which route has which restriction. I need more people to volunteer to lead a group so that we can split into legal size groups starting either on different routes or a while apart if on the same route, we not only want to be legal, we actually don't want our groups so close together that it feels like a shopping mall experience for our fellow outdoors people, so let me know if you are willing to lead and if you have a preferred route from the list. Thanks Saul saul@isomedia.com 206.313.0107

Drivers

Saul - 4

Jurgen - 3

Marielle - 3

Lorne - 3

Julian - 3

Brian - 3

Vivian - 3

Nancy M - 3

T - 3