Home > Trip Reports > December 6, 2015, Swift Creek, Mt Baker backcountry

December 6, 2015, Swift Creek, Mt Baker backcountry

12/6/15
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
4815
7
Posted by cmosetick on 12/7/15 6:11am
The year round streak continues in 2015. This was the most difficult summer to ski since I started my streak in August 2007 on the Easton Glacier.
This TAY streak officially started in October 2012, Hadley Peak, North Cascades.

Some highlights of the last year:

December 2014: Swift Creek, Shuksan Arm
January 2015: Stevens Pass ski area
February 2015: Mt Bachelor (NW Demo Days) + snow camping Mazama Ridge + Ski descent from Camp Muir, Mt Rainier.
March 2015: Muir Snowfield, Mt Rainier
April 2015: Birthday Tour variation + Liberty Bowl, NCNP
May 2015: Cutthroat Bowl, NCNP
June 2015: Pinnacle Glacier, Tatoosh Range, MRNP (Slush Cup Champion, completely crossed the tarn/iceberg)
July 4th 2015: Palmer Snowfield, Timberline, Mt Hood
August 2015: Squak Glacier, Mt Baker
September 2015: Muir Snowfield, Mt Rainier
October 2015: Paradise Glacier, Mt Rainier
November 2015: Metcalf Moraine / Schriebers Meadow, Mt Baker

December 6th, 2015: Swift Creek, Shuksan Arm
Fierce winds were experienced the whole day in most places, especially around the ridge lines. The best time for skiing
was earlier in the morning as the snow that had fallen overnight seemed drier.  A patch of blue sky could be seen for a couple
minutes around 1pm, and shortly thereafter the falling snow decreased and it seemed to have much higher moisture content.
Swift creek itself was 95% covered at it's low points but there was still a few areas where it seemed like you were
looking into water or dirt, etc. I expect most of that to be covered by Monday eve.
Does this all have to be done in the Northern Hemisphere?

No hemispheric restrictions!  If you're skiing, you're SKIING!

author=peteyboy link=topic=34997.msg143676#msg143676 date=1449602201]
No hemispheric restrictions!  If you're skiing, you're SKIING!
Water skiing?  :D

Water skiing today on Baker!

I'm so ready for a ski trip to South America! Bring on the Andes! Who wants to join me!?

You know it's summer there, right?

After the "skiing" conditions here this past summer, I'm now convinced I can ski "anywhere" at any time of the year...

author=kamtron link=topic=34997.msg143717#msg143717 date=1449721195]
You know it's summer there, right?

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2015-12-07 14:11:31