Home > Trip Reports > October 26 , 2014, Heliotrope Ridge

October 26 , 2014, Heliotrope Ridge

10/26/14
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
9803
4
Posted by KW on 10/27/14 10:16pm
I took a chance and headed out to Heliotrope ridge. I was desperately hoping that the skies would clear as forecasted during the day. It was pretty much a guarantee that we would be hiking in ski boots for a long time!

There was a 100% chance of stream jumping.

It was snowing heavily all day with just a dusting at the trailhead. Probably 4-6 inches fell during the day with our tracks being covered on the way out.

The summer looks to have done some serious damage to the glacier.

http://powdergangster.ca/wp-content/uploads/tay2.jpg" />

There was some visilbity during the day. Mainly on the way up.

http://powdergangster.ca/wp-content/uploads/TAY1.jpg" />

We made it all the way up to the ridge skiing by memory. It was terrible visibility but the snow underfoot was soft and silky.

http://powdergangster.ca/wp-content/uploads/tay4.jpg" />

Far skiers right there were some good slots open and in lots of areas plenty blue ice under the snow. The wind had loaded the snow into the gulley between the 2 runs.

Only a few people up there today and they were probably pretty smart as we couldn't see a thing while skiing except for a 5 minute break in the cloud that made the day with about 10 sweet turns on the soft snow.

http://powdergangster.ca/wp-content/uploads/tay3.jpg" />

Snow is skinnable from about 6000 feet ( Just above the prominent bench) 1 foot of snow at 5500ft. Lots of little sharks under the snow so go carefully. But it is a good start to a solid preseason base. In wind blown spots it is 2-3 feet deep. Hoping that freezing levels stay consistent this week so we can go it it again!

More observations at powdergangster.ca
Went up to Skyline Divide on the same day and took a few laps in the heavy but fresh foot+ of powder.  There was about 4-6" of snow at the trailhead.

I was wondering how much snow was over there. Much better plan to drive high than hike!

It was a good day out despite the visibility, as whiteout skiing goes this was one of the more enjoyable session, the slope was even and predictable, the snow was very forgiving and there was, most of the time, a tiny visual spec of reference to stay up. And when it disappeared; well a first fall of the season was recorded.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/runningclouds/sets

Good to see people out despite the weather, we probably crossed tracks KW.
Happy and safe ski season to all!

Nice! We had a good chat on the ridge on the way down!
The vis was so bad at one point I thought I was stopped but kept moving. I almost lost my lunch during that episode.




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october-26-2014-heliotrope-ridge
KW
2014-10-28 05:16:59