August 19, 2012, Coleman Pinnacle
8/19/12
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
3236
3
With the forecast for a chance of early morning thunderstorms, Atomic, James and I got a leisurely start from Artist Point. Though they reported that there had been a lot of snowmelt since a few weeks ago, there was still enough coverage for some reasonable turns. It turned out to be a beautiful day sunny, but not unreasonably hot. Some of the photos here should give an idea of how the coverage is looking as of Sunday.
We booted the summer trail towards Coleman Pinnacle onto the beginning of Ptarmigan Ridge, where there was enough snow to start skinning. Plenty of suncups.
NW face of Coleman Pinnacle/Ptarmigan Ridge from the summer trail.
We crossed over the top of the ridge in hopes that the suncups on the SE face would have softened.
SE face of Ptarmigan Ridge/Coleman Pinnacle
With a combination of skiing (in part, through a two-foot wide connector that had melted out by the time we returned in the afternoon), skiing, and booting the summer trail, we travelled along the SE slope of the ridge. We saw two skiers from a pretty far distance away. As we were returning later in the afternoon, we saw another group of three skiers heading across the summer trail on the SE face.
Last coverage photo looking at the SE face from a more SE direction
There was one goat sighting from afar, and word from some hikers that they had seen a herd of 20-30 goats had us continuing on towards the pinnacle. We did not end up seeing the goats, and started our return from just SW of the pinnacle.
Almost an awesome photo¦ oh well.
We considered descending the NW face of the ridge, but decided to stay on the SE face, in the hopes that the suncups would be softer. Good choice, too, as, while the suncups were not atrocious on the SE face, were larger and/or less soft than might have been desired.
![]()
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7827146064_9068ded92b_c.jpg" />
Suncups for your viewing pleasure.
On the return, we did end up encountering (from afar) a small herd of four goats.
Also a lovely river of clouds on the way back.
We booted the summer trail towards Coleman Pinnacle onto the beginning of Ptarmigan Ridge, where there was enough snow to start skinning. Plenty of suncups.
NW face of Coleman Pinnacle/Ptarmigan Ridge from the summer trail.
We crossed over the top of the ridge in hopes that the suncups on the SE face would have softened.
SE face of Ptarmigan Ridge/Coleman Pinnacle
With a combination of skiing (in part, through a two-foot wide connector that had melted out by the time we returned in the afternoon), skiing, and booting the summer trail, we travelled along the SE slope of the ridge. We saw two skiers from a pretty far distance away. As we were returning later in the afternoon, we saw another group of three skiers heading across the summer trail on the SE face.
Last coverage photo looking at the SE face from a more SE direction
There was one goat sighting from afar, and word from some hikers that they had seen a herd of 20-30 goats had us continuing on towards the pinnacle. We did not end up seeing the goats, and started our return from just SW of the pinnacle.
Almost an awesome photo¦ oh well.
We considered descending the NW face of the ridge, but decided to stay on the SE face, in the hopes that the suncups would be softer. Good choice, too, as, while the suncups were not atrocious on the SE face, were larger and/or less soft than might have been desired.
Suncups for your viewing pleasure.
On the return, we did end up encountering (from afar) a small herd of four goats.
Also a lovely river of clouds on the way back.
Awesome, I might have to head up there for some turns in the near future
Quite a bit different from July 28, but still doable, nice!
Thanks to knitvt and Atomic for shaking off the doldrums of the uninspiring forecast and getting us up into the great sunshine and excellent scenery.
Actually remembering to re-apply sunscreen was a great bonus so no harshness after the fact this time.
No question that this year's extra snow makes it really easy to get to where you start skiing. We skied down off the hump right at the start of Ptarmigan Ridge so that's probably just over a mile and almost no vertical from TH. If your goal is early September turns with minimal suffering, then this definitely would be the place.
Goats too!
Actually remembering to re-apply sunscreen was a great bonus so no harshness after the fact this time.
No question that this year's extra snow makes it really easy to get to where you start skiing. We skied down off the hump right at the start of Ptarmigan Ridge so that's probably just over a mile and almost no vertical from TH. If your goal is early September turns with minimal suffering, then this definitely would be the place.
Goats too!
Reply to this TR
Please login first: