It’s raining. Yup, it’s that time of the year. Actually, this time two years ago was when the NW received copious amounts of rain. Just check out some of these photos from Mt Rainier – http://mountrainierclimbing.blogspot.com/2006/11/mt-rainier-storm-flood-damage-photos.html. Believe it or not, there are sections of the park that are just now opening from that storm.
But that was the past, we’re more concerned about the now. It’s raining again, buckets. Ok, not as much as ’06 but it’s wet. Sadly, it’s also very warm. Bad. Another Pineapple Express. You ever wonder what exactly a Pineapple Express is? Probably not, unless you live in the Pacific NW, because for us, it means really crappy backcountry skiing. Well, according to Wikipedia:
Pineapple Express (also known as Pineapple Connection) is a non-technical, shorthand term popular in the news media for a meteorological phenomenon which is characterized by a strong and persistent flow of atmospheric moisture and associated heavy rainfall from the waters adjacent to the Hawaiian Islands and extending to any location along the Pacific coast of North America. The Pineapple Express is driven by a strong, southern branch of the Polar jetstream and is usually marked by the presence of a surface frontal boundary which is typically either slow or stationary, with waves of low pressure traveling along its axis. Each of these low pressure systems brings enhanced rainfall.
But enough about that. It’s during moments like these where we have to pause and think about the good old times.
Enjoying The View Just Below the Summit of Broken Top, Oregon Cascades
Need some winter inspiration? More backcountry skiing photos
