April 7, 2007, White Salmon Glacier, Mt. Shuksan

Joe E, Sean Walsh, Tim Byrnes and I were treated to some deep soft trailbreaking on Saturday on the White Salmon route on Mt Shuksan.  Good day with good people.  Crossed at around 3,600-700 from the end of the road.  Massive amounts of avy debris in the valley.  Skinning was good and was even able to skin up Winnies slide and Hells Highway.  Summit gulley had very good snow cover and travel was easy, no crampons needed yesterday.  A lenticular was developing on Baker and it looked like something was coming in quickly, then all of a sudden it just went away and the sun came out in full force for our descent.  Ski cut ALOT of sluffs up to 12" or more deep that developed and grew substantial as they travelled downslope.  Good management practices essential.  Skiing was very good on the Sulphide also nice on the White Salmon.  Skied to bottom of clearcut below the end of the road following the river to 3,010' and a combination of boot packing and skinning to get up to the road.  This is still a good option for getting out of there.  Pizza and beer at the North Fork to cap off a great day.