march 13, 2010, Heliotrope, Mt. Baker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNeUskhS6ig

Parked about a mile down from the trail head. Hiked all the way to the last creek, where it gets open and you can see up the climbers route. Started splitting... got up to the last face on the lookers right side of heliotrope. Would have gone to the top of marmot ridge but the weather moved in and the guys I was with were out of shape and tired. It was actually the skiers first run of the season. (He has a sled) As soon as we took off our skins and strapped in, it got sunny again... Said, "oh, well" and dropped in. Super good pow, a little wind blown in spots up high, but still super fun. Such a cool feeling riding completely open faces with no obstacles. Dropped down further into a few old growth trees and out in one of the creeks. If there was a bit more snow to fill in the middle of the creek it would have been absolutely amazing. Still a great run of about... 1400' of open pow and 600'ish of creek/tree riding. Then back through the woods, some of which you could ride. Then back to the car. We were really surprised not to have seen anyone else up there. Hopefully this wasn't the last good weekend of the year...