Home > Trip Reports > 16 November 2012, Heliotrope Ridge, Mt. Baker

16 November 2012, Heliotrope Ridge, Mt. Baker

11/15/12
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
3441
5
Posted by runningclouds on 11/16/12 4:42am
FSR Road is snow-free from the start to the trailhead (0°C at 8 AM, -1°C at 4:30 PM)

Trail: Lots of slippery sections (walking the trail down was the hardest part of the day). Continuous, although thin and frozen, snow above 4750 ft (1450 m). Walked to just past the last creek 5250 ft (1600 m) where we swapped hiking shoes for ski boots. Skinned all the way to the top of the ridge.

Snowpack: the new snow 2-6 in (5-15 cm) was well bonded to the base. Ski-cutting the steepest slope we skied produced no results. Small areas of slab around the ridge top. No natural avalanches observed, no cracking, no whumping.

Best skiing was top of the ridge to about 6250 ft (1900 m). Very thin wind crust, visible in the pictures, but not noticeable when skiing. Soft base made for great skiing. Below 6250 ft the crust was thicker and the base not as great. Once off the permanent snowfield and glacier there is no base to speak off. We skied to where the trail enters the treeline 5600 ft (1700 m), hit some rocks few times. Trail not skiable (well, unless you have dedicated rock skis or I-want-to-get-hurt-tonight wish).
That is one fantastic photograph.

Thanks knitvt!

Here is the rest of the slideshow:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/runningclouds/sets/72157632027639638/

Wow!  I hope the road stays open for next weekend. What amazing pics and the conditions look excellent. I hope the stability holds as well.

Incredible photos!!

Thanks danpeck and j-bird. Half the credit goes to the lighting guy. He did excellent job ;)

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16-november-2012-heliotrope-ridge-mt-baker
runningclouds
2012-11-16 12:42:52