November 15, 2015, Park Butte

11/15/15

WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)

3137

3

Posted by mtbakerguides on 11/16/15 1:13am

Winter's Resurrection

For full post and photos, check out on a recent avalanche at Pan-Dome at Mt. Baker Ski Area. Its not a full blown report, but its worth a read. If theres enough snow to ski, theres enough snow to slide.

Park Butte Lookout provided for a chill transition. Southerly aspects were protected from the wind, and offered much better snow quality. Conditions were still a little upside down, so we didnt invest much into the descent. There were definitely a few good turns to be had though, and it felt great just to slide downhill again.

Long story short, winter is back. It may only be the first major storm of the season, but were already way ahead of where we were this time last year. As you can imagine, Im optimistic. Naysayer be gone. El Nino may bite us yet, but right now its dumping up there, and all is right in the world.

Thats not to say that we are out of the woods though. Climate change is a big deal, and continues to threaten the viability of the winter industry, as well as our passion for sliding on snow. However, despite the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge, the Godzilla El Nino, and the Blob, snow is falling. Rumors of winters death have been greatly exaggerated.

11/16/15 12:11pm

runningclouds

Thanks for the report! Three cheers for optimism (and safety).

Setting a skin track was like re-uniting with a long lost friend Beautifully said! There is a beginning of poem hiding in there.

11/17/15 2:08am

skibacks

Thanks for your post. Climate change is THE BIGGEST DEAL & challenge for our planet! We need to tell our elected reps to Vote for the Environment or we will vote for some one else. Sorry for the thread jack.....

11/17/15 10:53am

peteyboy

Way to say it, John. Today was my first day and I couldn't possibly hit the fine point any better. A long lost friend indeed. And the sunrise over Shuksan and the North Fork peaks told me "we never went away."

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November 15, 2015, Park Butte - Mt. Baker

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