Home > Trip Reports > Feb 4-5, Coleman Pinnacle Circumnavigation

Feb 4-5, Coleman Pinnacle Circumnavigation

2/15/12
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
6045
10
Posted by cchapin on 2/7/12 2:46am
Radka and I decided to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary in the Baker Backcountry last weekend.  We left Redmond at 7am and started from Heather Meadows leisurely at 10:45am.  Upon arrival at Artist Point we saw the Everett Mountaineers digging snow caves in the bright warm sun - most stripped down to their base layer.  We continued on past Table and towards the Ptarmigan Ridge following a previously set skin track.  We started crossing north slopes and noticed they still had some pretty good snow, 8 inches or more of settled powder.

Approaching Ptarmigan Ridge:


We got to the ridge above the 5300' pass and found a sheltered spot almost completely out of the wind.  So we set up camp here then went for a run to check out the north slopes around 3:15pm.  As expected, the protected north slopes were beautifully soft with settled powder.  Once onto more sun exposed terrain there was a breakable, refreezing 1/4" crust.  We skinned back up to camp then started to settle in for the night.

Taking a run after setting up camp:


Soon the sun began to set as we were melting snow.

Sunset over Shuksan:


The moon was very bright on Saturday night.  We could have easily toured through the night without a headlamp or done a moonlight run.  I slightly regret not doing just that too.

Moonlight on Shuksan:


Then Radka decided to experiment with more night photography.

http://radkaandchris.smugmug.com/Skiing/Coleman-Pinnacle/i-QSmccMX/0/D/DSC0604-D.jpg" />

We faced the door of the tent in the direction of Baker and woke early to ensure we caught the sunrise.

http://radkaandchris.smugmug.com/Skiing/Coleman-Pinnacle/i-V73Gndv/0/D/DSC0655-D.jpg" />

Then we began our trip around Coleman Pinnacle.  We essentially followed the summer trail.  No skin track had gone out that way so we were breaking trail.  The slopes here all had a thick suncrust, but we could still get enough purchase to traverse them.

View from South side Ptarmigan Ridge:
http://radkaandchris.smugmug.com/Skiing/Coleman-Pinnacle/i-zvnDFv9/0/D/DSC0675-D.jpg" />

http://radkaandchris.smugmug.com/Skiing/Coleman-Pinnacle/i-MPxVmgP/0/D/DSC0695-D.jpg" />

We continued around southwest, west, and northwest aspects.  Eventually we topped out at the saddle southwest of Coleman Pinnacle and enjoyed a great untracked run down a protected north slope.  From there we skinned back to camp, packed up, and headed to Artist Point for the sunset.

Baker at Sunset:
http://radkaandchris.smugmug.com/Skiing/Coleman-Pinnacle/i-SVnXVVn/0/D/DSC0762-D.jpg" />

US border peaks (I think):


[Edit: typos]
Sounds like a wonderful trip.  Thanks for the amazing pictures and my new Wallpaper!

I'll echo the compliment on the photography - well done!

Great photos, Chris.  The page is a bit slooow to load  ;D

Very nice pictures!!!!

Great to see you guys on Saturday.  Nice tour, really dig the third to last picture.  Happy Anniversary.

Absolutely sensational pictures of one of our favorite places.  Always talk about setting up a multiday camp, never come through.  Hopefully the greatest moonlight shot of Shuksan ever will be enough inspiration.  Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Oyvind, it was great to see you, too! And thanks all for your comments.

Here is the rest of the pictures:


http://radkaandchris.smugmug.com/Skiing/Coleman-Pinnacle/21365478_4VPmxJ#!i=1704202585&k=VCpk7WL


Fantastic shots!

great pictures Chris and Radka!

Excellent photos. Thanks for sharing!

Reply to this TR

9486
feb-4-5-coleman-pinnacle-circumnavigation-2
cchapin
2012-02-07 10:46:25