October 19, Baker, Coleman Pinnacle environs
10/19/16
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
3087
2
Sensing a brief and closing window for good snow below 5,500 ft we headed out for some meadow skipping from the Heather gate. Note, high elevation rain night of the 19th has certainly changed things from the observations below.
With hopes the closed 542 would be skinable on an inch of slush, we found no snow at heather and the DOT has been plowing the closed road all the way to Artist Point. After those surprises, the day continually improved as did the weather. We were able to start skinning on the edge of the road about mid-way between Heather and Austin Pass. There was abt a foot at Artist point, The traverse under the S. Side of table was thin in the trees, full of pinwheels, but in the open not bad skinning. Further out we found supportable snow in the 1-3 foot range with a variety of surfaces and more steeps than I recalled.
Nice meeting you Marcus!
With hopes the closed 542 would be skinable on an inch of slush, we found no snow at heather and the DOT has been plowing the closed road all the way to Artist Point. After those surprises, the day continually improved as did the weather. We were able to start skinning on the edge of the road about mid-way between Heather and Austin Pass. There was abt a foot at Artist point, The traverse under the S. Side of table was thin in the trees, full of pinwheels, but in the open not bad skinning. Further out we found supportable snow in the 1-3 foot range with a variety of surfaces and more steeps than I recalled.
Nice meeting you Marcus!
Score! Nice one, David!
The day started with low expectations as those brief weather windows don't always open for me. We almost turned around at noon. You were going to ski with your skins....Then the sun came out strong, we saw the tracks of a large Elk that must have skirted us in the cloud, we ripped skins and skied better snow than anyone deserves in October! World class views. Sunshine. Smooth, turnable snow. Baker backcountry! Thanks for the Intro David.
Photo's video on TAY Facebook, Brian Izdepski
Photo's video on TAY Facebook, Brian Izdepski
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