May 21, 2005, Mt. Baker South Side
5/21/05
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
2391
1
The best way up is now the Scott Paul Trail to continuous snow at the ~4500' switchback.
We skinned to ~8200'. There was enough new snow to erase the runnels. I called it a powder day (especially after watching the video). The snow was somewhat wind affected. I'll be curious to here about the north side of the mountain.
Climbers reported that the Roman Wall had enough avalanche activity to turn them around at the crater.
With one short carry over a creek, we managed to keep our skis on to ~4200' on the Scott Paul Trail.
Edited to change the date.
We skinned to ~8200'. There was enough new snow to erase the runnels. I called it a powder day (especially after watching the video). The snow was somewhat wind affected. I'll be curious to here about the north side of the mountain.
Climbers reported that the Roman Wall had enough avalanche activity to turn them around at the crater.
With one short carry over a creek, we managed to keep our skis on to ~4200' on the Scott Paul Trail.
Edited to change the date.
Three of us did Heliotrope on nw side the 21st. Went up the direct route through the woods and due to reduced snowpack did not hit continuous until 4700. Significantly worse bushwacking than normal for that first 1100. Very warm and mushy with lots of naturals lower which led to powderlike stuff at about 6000. The powder cause some sticking skins. Such a price to pay for glorious freshiez. Upper part of Heliotrope was quite windy. Two long north runs were glorious but the winds started getting gusts above 50 mph. On our traverse east to do a final run down toward the trail (did not want to face the bushwack out the direct), the wind blew ice crystals on us and it became quite difficult to stay upright. All that work was for naught as a windcrust formed above 5800. Saw a pair of climbers heading up the Coleman with huge packs to camp above. Wonder how they survived those impending whiteout/everest-like winds. Found the far east drainage (just east of the normal climber camp flat) to have a sweet finish down to about 5000. Short traverse back to the west and hit the trail.
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