Rattlesnake powder extravaganza

With Snowbowl closed, and stormy weather precluding larger objectives, Leah, Jeff and I headed up to Snowbowl on a rainy Sunday with a loose objective to just ski what looked good. Heavy snowfall during the initial climb had us soaked and deeply unmotivated at the top of Point 6. Fortunately, the snowfall abated, leaving the mountains coated shallow, fun powder. We ended up staying out all day, following our noses around the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Every run was moderate and top notch, and I was reminded once again of the amazing little playground we have have right in our backyard. It was one of the best days of the season.

I would love to know the names of some of the runs we skied, so Missoulians, drop me a line if you know and would like to indulge the information.

Dumping on the first climb.

Jeff skiing the southwest shoulder of Murphy peak.

Jeff flying down the southeast shoulder of Murphy peak.

Deep in Finley creek, looking back up at the moderate gully we skied.

Starting the long climb out of Finley Creek.

Leah skiing Burgundy.

Gearing up to head home at the top of East Bowl in the first patch of sun all day.

The Tour and stats:

The tour flowed together magically. Up Snowbowl to Pt. 6. Down the Taint, Up Murphy shoulder West, down southwest couloir (do not know name), up Murphy shoulder East, down East shoulder, up Murphy/Sanders saddle, down moderate gully to Finley lakes (best run of the day), up Murphy via north ridge, down standard Southeast couloir, up Mohagany, down Burgundy, up and around Pt. 6, down East Bowl to car. Whew. Approximately 9,100 vertical feet, done in about 11 hours.

The tour.  It looks we were running around like a chicken with
its head cut off, but it was a logical  link-up of long moderates.