June 4, 2011, Baker, Park/Coleman Headwalls
6/4/11
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
6472
9
Met up with Brian and Scott Friday evening making our way up Glacier Creek Road hitting snow about 1 mile from the TH. We got an early start leaving about 3:30am and headed up the slide path to Grouse Ridge. Traveling was efficient with the overnight freeze and we were on the summit by 9:30.
The Park HW had been softening in the morning sun, so we decided it made great sense to rip some turns down that while we waited for the Coleman HW to soften up. Snow was soft and smooth on the Park HW and it had a great consistent pitch that was really fun to ski.
After climbing back up to the summit, we took a nap in the sun waiting for the snow to soften up the slopes on the NW aspect. We made our way over to where we felt the CWH started, the snow was still a bit firm and not softening up as much as we had hoped with the NW winds. Brian and Scott decided to push over to the Roman Nose and ski a route thru the upper rock band and had a great run down to the Coleman Glacier. I waited to see them ski out onto the Colemen below, then began descending onto the Coleman HW. The upper turns were pretty firm and had not softened much, but would hold an edge. About 1/3 down the snow began to soften up more and made for some great steep consistent skiing! A short traverse back to the Coleman meeting up with Brian and Scott.
The Park HW had been softening in the morning sun, so we decided it made great sense to rip some turns down that while we waited for the Coleman HW to soften up. Snow was soft and smooth on the Park HW and it had a great consistent pitch that was really fun to ski.
After climbing back up to the summit, we took a nap in the sun waiting for the snow to soften up the slopes on the NW aspect. We made our way over to where we felt the CWH started, the snow was still a bit firm and not softening up as much as we had hoped with the NW winds. Brian and Scott decided to push over to the Roman Nose and ski a route thru the upper rock band and had a great run down to the Coleman Glacier. I waited to see them ski out onto the Colemen below, then began descending onto the Coleman HW. The upper turns were pretty firm and had not softened much, but would hold an edge. About 1/3 down the snow began to soften up more and made for some great steep consistent skiing! A short traverse back to the Coleman meeting up with Brian and Scott.
What a playground. Nice f'in job!
We were hanging out at camp saturday and saw you guys from a distance start the headwall, and then back off. Although we were disappointed we didnt get to see someone ski it, ..it was probably a wise move.
We skied the Roman HW too early on sunday (10am ish, still frozen), as we had to be out early, and the summit was too windy/cold to hang out at.
We skied the Roman HW too early on sunday (10am ish, still frozen), as we had to be out early, and the summit was too windy/cold to hang out at.
author=gwest link=topic=21061.msg90032#msg90032 date=1307386721]
We were hanging out at camp saturday and saw you guys from a distance start the headwall, and then back off. Although we were disappointed we didnt get to see someone ski it, ..it was probably a wise move.
We skied the Roman HW too early on sunday (10am ish, still frozen), as we had to be out early, and the summit was too windy/cold to hang out at.
Ya all three of us started poking around looking for the entrance and the snow was pretty firm. Brian and Scott decided on a spicy variation to the Rowan HW and I wait for about another 20 minutes to hope the sun would do some magic...no luck for the upper section. But still a great ski!
Looks fun! glad someone was out making good use of the warm weather
Great day out! Thought I'd toss up a quick photo of you looking very small on the very large Coleman Headwall.
We skied down the face, skiers right of the Roman wall around 2:15pm and the snow was an inch of butter over a soft but firm base, well worth the weight ;)
Saw several wet slough slides during our descent down, some 40'wide.
Saw several wet slough slides during our descent down, some 40'wide.
wicked! nice work bro!
author=smilesinor link=topic=21061.msg90109#msg90109 date=1307471381]
We skied down the face, skiers right of the Roman wall around 2:15pm and the snow was an inch of butter over a soft but firm base, well worth the weight ;)
Saw several wet slough slides during our descent down, some 40'wide.
We saw you guys come down that way. That's called the Roman Mustache. The snow in the rocks at the top is referred to as the Pencil Thin variation. Later in the season that area becomes a series of cool little snow fingers.
We enjoyed watching you guys descend. The next day we climbed the line you came down and were really impressed. Good job!
Jason
We climbed the Coleman HW yesterday (the 6th), to check it out for skiing. The route was in excellent shape, but we felt it didn't soften up as much as we would like for skiing. Must've been your tracks we saw while climbing up. We descended the Roman Wall around 1:30 instead. Nice work.
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