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Too warm for Baker this weekend?

  • ShailCaesar!
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17 May 2017 09:48 #155846 by ShailCaesar!
Too warm for Baker this weekend? was created by ShailCaesar!
Forecast is for high, high freezing levels. As in the top of Baker high. Would that scuttle a summit attempt does anyone think?

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  • kamtron
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17 May 2017 11:28 #155848 by kamtron
Replied by kamtron on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
With a consolidated snowpack, typically no. However, with the current snowpack, be prepared for mush conditions and poor avalanche stability on steeper slopes:
www.alpenglow.org/skiing/high-route-tips/part3-mush.html

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17 May 2017 11:32 #155849 by kamtron
Replied by kamtron on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
According to NWAC, "ski area crew there today reported about 15 inches of storm snow."
www.nwac.us/avalanche-forecast/2017-05-1...de-west-north-baker/

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  • ShailCaesar!
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17 May 2017 11:37 #155850 by ShailCaesar!
Replied by ShailCaesar! on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
Thanks for the heads up! I was waiting til tomorrow to look at NWAC. Hopefully this settles out by Sunday.

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  • pipedream
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17 May 2017 12:27 #155854 by pipedream
Replied by pipedream on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
With clear skies overnight it's possible for surface snow to refreeze despite temps not dipping below freezing. That's really your best bet - my guess is we'll be dealing with a lot of loose, isothermal mush, the low-risk/high-consequence of wet slab hazard & a still-draining & consolidating snowpack thru the weekend with the exception of the overnight/very early morning hours

Which is a bummer because with the excellent weather forecast I was hoping to harvest some corn

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17 May 2017 12:34 #155856 by Pete A
Replied by Pete A on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
this thread reminded me of something way way back  :)   

June 2004, Lowell introduced us TAY'ers to the Watsons Traverse on Baker - he had fantastic powdery conditions down the Park Glacier...

www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...dex.php?topic=1652.0

My buddies and I were so eager to ski the traverse that we did it the following weekend- despite the weather forecast being very warm and not enough time for the new snow to settle.  That powder from the weekend before skied like calf-deep microwaved cotton candy - I've never set off such big, wavy, slow moving point releases from my ski tips before.

I think it might be a frustrating weekend finding good, safe, fun skiing even though we've got perfect weather - I'm certainly scratching my head trying to figure out where the heck to go. 


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  • ShailCaesar!
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17 May 2017 13:14 #155857 by ShailCaesar!
Replied by ShailCaesar! on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
I hear ya. Maybe the eastside WA Pass areas? They only got 8 inches of schmoo to deal with. I was thinking the higher you go on Baker the better (cooler) it will be? Everywhere else will just have even warmer temps, but maybe not as much fresh schmoo? HEEEELLLLPP!! LOL I guess we just have to be extra patient and let it settle out. Probably June.

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  • flowing alpy
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18 May 2017 06:41 #155860 by flowing alpy
Replied by flowing alpy on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
Bachelor

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18 May 2017 06:50 #155861 by peteyboy
Replied by peteyboy on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
Yeah, We just pulled the pin on going today. Given the Baker ski area reports and inference from the 5000'/4210' telemetry data that isn't broken, there must be 2-3 new feet above 7000 feet at least. Commence rapid warming widespread natural cycle. Needs to settle out.

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  • ShailCaesar!
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18 May 2017 10:00 #155864 by ShailCaesar!
Replied by ShailCaesar! on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
Supposed to be clear Saturday night! and Sunday morning...

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19 May 2017 11:14 #155871 by weaver
Replied by weaver on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
Blackcomb: bright sun, easy turns, cold beer at the base,

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  • thunderchief
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19 May 2017 19:42 #155877 by thunderchief
Replied by thunderchief on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
Thinking of heading up to camp at Muir... expecting to get a bit cooked but I bet theres been plenty of consolidation the last few days... hopefully not too mushy. If its bad I'll simply come down early sunday morning and maybe still get a good run in when its cool-ish.

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  • Andrew Carey
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20 May 2017 09:36 #155881 by Andrew Carey
Replied by Andrew Carey on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?

With a consolidated snowpack, typically no. However, with the current snowpack, be prepared for mush conditions and poor avalanche stability on steeper slopes:
www.alpenglow.org/skiing/high-route-tips/part3-mush.html


Quite a nice write up.

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  • ShailCaesar!
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23 May 2017 10:14 #155922 by ShailCaesar!
Replied by ShailCaesar! on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
Went up CD. Mush but not that bad. I stayed at the Hogsback due to sun effect and muscle cramping/spasm issues, but my 4 companions all scored their first Baker summits! With carries we were able to skin up the summer trail on Saturday. Melting out fast down there on Sunday. Must have been 300 climbers up there. Heard about the slednecks on the Squak. What a gongshow!

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  • kamtron
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23 May 2017 18:07 #155932 by kamtron
Replied by kamtron on topic Re: Too warm for Baker this weekend?
Glad it worked out for you!

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