March 26-27, 2004, Baker BC

Friday it was dumping up at Baker with very low visibility and high winds.  We thought we could get up Herman's south side, but the conditions were horrible.  We crossed the creek, talked about our options, then went back up by Pan Dome. We ended up on the short treed chutes just beyond the ski area boundry on the west side of Pan Dome (I think they are called "5 minute trees").  Here we were fairly protected from the wind and the snow was very good with big timber eliminating the vertigo.  Yo-yo'ed here until dark - good day.  Slept in the lot and woke up to about 6-8 more inches and still snowing!  Started out to Herman's south side well behind another party.  Snow was fantastic early in the morning - very, very deep and somewhat light.  Many, many parties out there.  It became warmer throughout the day and the snow became heavier (yet still fun).  By the end of the day large sluffs were very easy to cut loose, and below cliff bands things were moving.  Movement was limited to the overnight accumulation as it seemed to be sliding atop the wind-driven snow recieved Friday during the day.  We made 4 runs and went back to the lot in a tired, joyful stupor.  Be careful on Sunday - it's a house of cards out there right now...