April 30, 2009, Shuksanâs Sulphide Glacier
4/30/09
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
2011
1
With a good forecast, 4 of us (Eric, Chuck, Jeff, and Paul) decided to check out Shuksan via the Sulphide Glacier. We found excellent spring conditions from the woods on Shannon Ridge (~4400 ft) to our turn back point at the base of the summit pyramid (8500 ft).
The only problem was the approach which started at 1600 ft on the Shannon Ridge road due to some down trees (and car blocking snow patches shortly thereafter). There were alternating snow patches and bare road (or trail) almost to the clear cut so skinning wasnt really efficient until the clear cut. The clear cut is well snow covered but is melting fast, and was total mush on our return.
We watched a solo skier descend from Shuksans summit via the main south facing gully. Nicely done Dan H. After a brief visit, he was off to ski Shuksans West Face.
We saw no other people our entire trip, but the grouse were sure abundant and noisily whuumphing their air sacks in the woods below snow line.
The only problem was the approach which started at 1600 ft on the Shannon Ridge road due to some down trees (and car blocking snow patches shortly thereafter). There were alternating snow patches and bare road (or trail) almost to the clear cut so skinning wasnt really efficient until the clear cut. The clear cut is well snow covered but is melting fast, and was total mush on our return.
We watched a solo skier descend from Shuksans summit via the main south facing gully. Nicely done Dan H. After a brief visit, he was off to ski Shuksans West Face.
We saw no other people our entire trip, but the grouse were sure abundant and noisily whuumphing their air sacks in the woods below snow line.
