March 6, 2005, Goat Mtn. (Mt. Baker backcountry)
3/6/05
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
2196
2
My original concept for the day involved an early start on the Squak Glacier and a long corn descent from somewhere near Mt. Baker's steam vents. Then, flip-flopping weather forecasters convinced me it would rain all day Sunday and, being philosophically opposed to stumbling around in bad visibility on thinly-covered glaciers in the rain, I slept late (again), blissfully unaware of the warm bluebird day in progress. By the time I roused myself and loaded the van it was too late to attack the Squak. I headed for Goat Mtn. instead.
I've been suggesting Goat all winter, but for some reason there've been no takers: the low start and long approach, perhaps? The trailhead is at 2500 feet, and while this presents no particular problem in the proverbial "normal snow year" about which we hear quite a bit, under current circumstances this means a 2100 foot climb to skiable snow in the meadows. Fortunately, the views are spectacular in all directions, and once on the snow there is an additional 2100 feet of good skiing on moderate to steep-ish terrain.
On this day, I had the whole mountain to myself, with a couple of groups of hikers apparently turning back as soon as they hit deep snow. The only sign of other skiers was a boot and snowshoe uptrack along with a set of snowboard descent tracks, probably two weeks old. This is another of Burgdorfer's listed tours, featuring almost limitless 1500-2000 foot descent lines on mostly south and north aspects, virtually none of which have been touched this season.
The first 1700 feet was wonderful, self-esteem-enhancing corn: 1-2 inches deep over a hard base, sullied only by the occasional bits of underlying ice and by rotten snow around concealed rocks here and there. It reminded me, in fact, of similar snow I encountered last June (http://www.turns-all-year.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=tr0406;action=display;num=1088390560) although I hesitate to mention this in light of the death blow to my credibility which resulted from that report. The next 400 feet was rather more forgettable, and in places actually quite problematic ("I think I'll just follow these old snowboard tracks down this half-melted streambed; they probably knew what they were doing..."). Ah well.
As best I could tell, snowpack on sun-sheltered aspects remains stable, but is probably heavy going. Northerly slopes no longer shelter powder, although I did find bits of dry snow buried in deeper accumulations near the ridges. It is worth taking note of the fact that cornices are large, hollow and overhanging above north and northeast slopes; I witnessed one which was beginning to break up and bomb the slope below with breadbox-sized chunks. Dropping from the summit down to the glacier on the far side probably requires a rappel in this low-snow year, although truly intrepid skiers might attempt it without. Access to the glacier is more straightforward at the 6000 foot saddle between the two main summits.
The Hannegan road is free of snow to 4.5 miles, just short of the campground at the trailhead. The road is entirely suited to 2wd to this point, although I'd recommend leaving low-slung vehicles (Quattroporte anyone?) at home. I suppose it's nearly time for the annual Ruth Mountain ski tour usually undertaken during late May or June.
enjoy,
Mark
I've been suggesting Goat all winter, but for some reason there've been no takers: the low start and long approach, perhaps? The trailhead is at 2500 feet, and while this presents no particular problem in the proverbial "normal snow year" about which we hear quite a bit, under current circumstances this means a 2100 foot climb to skiable snow in the meadows. Fortunately, the views are spectacular in all directions, and once on the snow there is an additional 2100 feet of good skiing on moderate to steep-ish terrain.
On this day, I had the whole mountain to myself, with a couple of groups of hikers apparently turning back as soon as they hit deep snow. The only sign of other skiers was a boot and snowshoe uptrack along with a set of snowboard descent tracks, probably two weeks old. This is another of Burgdorfer's listed tours, featuring almost limitless 1500-2000 foot descent lines on mostly south and north aspects, virtually none of which have been touched this season.
The first 1700 feet was wonderful, self-esteem-enhancing corn: 1-2 inches deep over a hard base, sullied only by the occasional bits of underlying ice and by rotten snow around concealed rocks here and there. It reminded me, in fact, of similar snow I encountered last June (http://www.turns-all-year.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=tr0406;action=display;num=1088390560) although I hesitate to mention this in light of the death blow to my credibility which resulted from that report. The next 400 feet was rather more forgettable, and in places actually quite problematic ("I think I'll just follow these old snowboard tracks down this half-melted streambed; they probably knew what they were doing..."). Ah well.
As best I could tell, snowpack on sun-sheltered aspects remains stable, but is probably heavy going. Northerly slopes no longer shelter powder, although I did find bits of dry snow buried in deeper accumulations near the ridges. It is worth taking note of the fact that cornices are large, hollow and overhanging above north and northeast slopes; I witnessed one which was beginning to break up and bomb the slope below with breadbox-sized chunks. Dropping from the summit down to the glacier on the far side probably requires a rappel in this low-snow year, although truly intrepid skiers might attempt it without. Access to the glacier is more straightforward at the 6000 foot saddle between the two main summits.
The Hannegan road is free of snow to 4.5 miles, just short of the campground at the trailhead. The road is entirely suited to 2wd to this point, although I'd recommend leaving low-slung vehicles (Quattroporte anyone?) at home. I suppose it's nearly time for the annual Ruth Mountain ski tour usually undertaken during late May or June.
enjoy,
Mark
hi Mark:
thanks for the report! i agree, the views are spectacular in all directions up there. i'm glad you found corn, even though it seems early. :)
thanks for the report! i agree, the views are spectacular in all directions up there. i'm glad you found corn, even though it seems early. :)
Great example of why we don't need to "hoard" our stashes, Mark.
Nice report.
Nice report.
Reply to this TR
Please login first: