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Mt Ruth Nov 10

11/15/12
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
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Posted by alpenho on 11/11/12 5:23am
seems like conditions have changed a bit since the last TR, so a little update.
boot top powder starting at about Hannegan pass, didn't start skinning until just past the upper saddle near the edge of the glacier.  The previous snow layer has formed a bullet-proof ice crust, the new stuff on top varied from unbonded but very light sugar to well-bonded light (right-side up) windslab.  Extensive faceting that was not disrupted by wind or sun all day.  Not sure what the weather transition last night or today did to the interfaces, but something to keep in mind when venturing up high.
some more pictoral hightlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6_DWK6Hx44&feature=plcp
Whoa. It was cloudy/snowing all day on a hike near Stevens yesterday. Where'd you find that sun? Great choice! :)!

When you say facets, do you mean surface hoar? Looks sparkly in your video. Gonna get buried tonight.

The clouds were threatening from S and E, but we stayed clear until about 3pm.  Guess we were lucky...
as for the facets, yes I was referring to the surface hoar.

author=alpenho link=topic=26041.msg110009#msg110009 date=1352669036]
...Extensive faceting that was not disrupted by wind or sun all day...


Thanks for the report; knowing this layer exists is especially important given the snow that has started to fall.

The video makes it looks like a trip would be worthwhile.  Looks like the trail head must be pretty low.  Dry trail at the beginning.

Thanks for the video.  I enjoyed it!

Nice pics!

Well done!

Ruth hoar:


Glad to be out of the early morning north side shade:


Ian enjoys the rare occurrence of light snow and sunshine in the Cascades:

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mt-ruth-nov-10
alpenho
2012-11-11 13:23:56