Watson Traverse, March 30
3/30/13
1680
1
Trip: Mt. Baker - Title: Watson Traverse in a Day.
Date: 3/30/2013
Trip Report:
Title: Watson Traverse in a Day.
Date: 3/30/13
People Present: Kerwin Loukusa and Pablo Zuleta
Stats:
Distance: 19.5 Miles
Vertical Gain: 8,500
Vertical Loss: 10,500
Max Slope Ascent: 65°
Max Slope Descent: 50°
Time: 16 hours
Description of Route: Watson Traverse, West->East from Mt. Baker Mountaineers Lodge to Heliotrope Ridge Trailhead.
Began at the Baker Mountaineers lodge and travelled east to Artist Point, then south side of Table Mountain and north side of Ptarmigan Ridge to Coleman Pinnacle, then to the Portals, through the middle portal down to the lower Park Glacier. Continued skinning up and onto the Park Glacier. Up the middle of the Park Glacier in search of a place to cross the Bergschrund. Once we made the challenging cross onto the Park headwall we continued up to the climbers left of the Cockscomb. Once we gained the Cockscomb ridge we then continued to the true summit of Mt. Baker for a spectacular view. After resting for a bit we continued down the Roman Wall in ski mode, down the Coleman Glacier near the edges of the Heliotrope Ridge and then traversed down to Grouse Creek. Once we reached the Heliotrope Trailhead at approx. 3,700 elevation we continued down the existing snow covered road to our car..
Description of Snow Conditions:
Rain crust and corn on ascent and east side of Mt. Baker Summit
Powder and mank on north side of Mt. Baker for descent.
Weather Conditions:
Sunshine throughout the day with little to no wind.
Approximate Temperatures:
20s AM
30-40s PM
Avalanche Forecast: Moderate avalanche forecast moving to considerable on sun exposed slopes below 7,000. Evidence of slides from previous days, but did not observe any avalanche activity day of trip.
Field Tests/ Results: None
Special Information to be noted:
Gps Track:Upload coming
Video: video Report (YouTube)
Route Planning Map 1
Route Planning Map 2
Route Photos:
Ascent
Descent
Other Photos:
Mt. Baker in the Alpenglow and moon
Pablo with The Portals in the back.
Kerwin skinning up the Park Glacier
Kerwin testing the snow bridge over the Bergschrund below the Park Glacier Headwall
Technical Gear List:
Required
-Standard Glacier Kit (Harness, Screw, Slings, Prusiks).
-Ski Crampons
-30M Glacier Rope
-Crampons
-Whippet or Axe
-Balls
Suggested
-Picket Per Person (Didnt Use)
-2nd Axe or similar if using a whippet(for headwall)
-Jetboil for melting water
Carried, but did not use
-Tent and Sleeping Bags
Its a great route get out and do it. We didnt see a soul the entire day except when descending the Roman Wall. Perfect Pacific Northwest Day.
Date: 3/30/2013
Trip Report:
Title: Watson Traverse in a Day.
Date: 3/30/13
People Present: Kerwin Loukusa and Pablo Zuleta
Stats:
Distance: 19.5 Miles
Vertical Gain: 8,500
Vertical Loss: 10,500
Max Slope Ascent: 65°
Max Slope Descent: 50°
Time: 16 hours
Description of Route: Watson Traverse, West->East from Mt. Baker Mountaineers Lodge to Heliotrope Ridge Trailhead.
Began at the Baker Mountaineers lodge and travelled east to Artist Point, then south side of Table Mountain and north side of Ptarmigan Ridge to Coleman Pinnacle, then to the Portals, through the middle portal down to the lower Park Glacier. Continued skinning up and onto the Park Glacier. Up the middle of the Park Glacier in search of a place to cross the Bergschrund. Once we made the challenging cross onto the Park headwall we continued up to the climbers left of the Cockscomb. Once we gained the Cockscomb ridge we then continued to the true summit of Mt. Baker for a spectacular view. After resting for a bit we continued down the Roman Wall in ski mode, down the Coleman Glacier near the edges of the Heliotrope Ridge and then traversed down to Grouse Creek. Once we reached the Heliotrope Trailhead at approx. 3,700 elevation we continued down the existing snow covered road to our car..
Description of Snow Conditions:
Rain crust and corn on ascent and east side of Mt. Baker Summit
Powder and mank on north side of Mt. Baker for descent.
Weather Conditions:
Sunshine throughout the day with little to no wind.
Approximate Temperatures:
20s AM
30-40s PM
Avalanche Forecast: Moderate avalanche forecast moving to considerable on sun exposed slopes below 7,000. Evidence of slides from previous days, but did not observe any avalanche activity day of trip.
Field Tests/ Results: None
Special Information to be noted:
Gps Track:Upload coming
Video: video Report (YouTube)
Route Planning Map 1
Route Planning Map 2
Route Photos:
Ascent
Descent
Other Photos:
Mt. Baker in the Alpenglow and moon
Pablo with The Portals in the back.
Kerwin skinning up the Park Glacier
Kerwin testing the snow bridge over the Bergschrund below the Park Glacier Headwall
Technical Gear List:
Required
-Standard Glacier Kit (Harness, Screw, Slings, Prusiks).
-Ski Crampons
-30M Glacier Rope
-Crampons
-Whippet or Axe
-Balls
Suggested
-Picket Per Person (Didnt Use)
-2nd Axe or similar if using a whippet(for headwall)
-Jetboil for melting water
Carried, but did not use
-Tent and Sleeping Bags
Its a great route get out and do it. We didnt see a soul the entire day except when descending the Roman Wall. Perfect Pacific Northwest Day.