March 18, 2006, Baker - Ptarmigan Ridge

Ryan, Hayes, Dalius and I skiied out to Ptarmigan ridge on Saturday.  We approached by touring up Austin Pass Road and around the south side of Table Mountain.  The weather changed by the minute between brief sun breaks, wind, whiteout, and snow - only a few fleeting views of Baker and Shuksan.  The skiing was fantastic.  We took three runs on northwest facing slopes off the ridge before Coleman Pinnacle.  The snow conditions were perfect - boot to knee deep blower powder with an occasional face shot over a soft consolidated base and fun roll after roll after roll of terrain.    

A pit we dug at 5400 ft revealed 12-18 inches of loose, light powder over denser homogenous snow with no significant layers in the top four to five feet.  We saw a large crown at about 5600 ft on a northeast slope a little west of our turnaround point and speculated it may have been from the last big storm cycle ten days or so ago.  There are some HUGE cornices on the ridge.  I wouldn't want to be under one on a really warm day.      

It being our first time in the Baker BC, we decided to take the loop route back and toured up through the Chain Lakes.  The weather cleared up a bit, and the light of the late afternoon sun made for sublime views in all directions as we skinned up to Herman Saddle from Iceberg Lake.  We skiied breakable crust on tired legs down from the saddle to the parking lot - a somewhat disappointing "reward" for A LOT of skinning.  It was great to do a loop tour and check out the vast terrain.  I never need to go back because none of it looks very interesting to ski ;)

We only saw two other parties out on Ptarmigan Ridge, but the front country slopes off of Table looked thoroughly farmed upon our return, almost like an extension of the lift area.  Dalius brought his camera this time, maybe he'll post some pictures.