July 30 31, Mt Baker, Coleman Glacier
7/15/07
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
3853
0
Based in the weather forecast for last weekend, Steve and I opted to climb Mt. Baker via Coleman Glacier last Sunday/Monday. After a strenuous but nice hike up to Heliotrope Ridge, with heavy bag packs, we had some food and water and set up ropes, harness, etc. in the snow line (around 6000 feet). It was very cloudy, so we could hardly see anything.
It was pretty early though, so instead of camping there, we went up to Black Buttes and found a nice spot around 7000 feet to put the tent, just behind the crest. We spend a total of 5 hours to get there. We deserved the great dinner after all¦but no views at all, so to bed at 6!
Next morning we arose at 2pm but the weather was still bad so we had breakfast and hang out a bit until it cleared up around 3 30. By 4 am, were walking up to the summit.
The trail was in excellent conditions. All crevasses were really open, but easy to cross them and snow bridges were in good conditions, except one around 8500 feet. Its not going to last long for sure, and the bridge is narrow and weak¦I dont know what is going to happen when it melts¦Anyway, we crossed it and continued up to the ridge, where we climbed until the beginning of the Roman Wall. Roman Wall was in excellent conditions as well. Frozen snow steps and no ice made the strenuous slope easier.
In about 4,5 hours we reached the summit. What a fantastic summit, except for the wind. All the clouds burned off by the sun and the views from Mt. Rainier, BC and everywhere were awesome. Some pictures, and set off our way back. The snow was wet, which was good for the knees in the way down. We reached the tent after 2 hours, had a snack and kept moving downhill until the snowline. A couple of hours more to get to the car and Mt. Baker was completely done.
It was pretty early though, so instead of camping there, we went up to Black Buttes and found a nice spot around 7000 feet to put the tent, just behind the crest. We spend a total of 5 hours to get there. We deserved the great dinner after all¦but no views at all, so to bed at 6!
Next morning we arose at 2pm but the weather was still bad so we had breakfast and hang out a bit until it cleared up around 3 30. By 4 am, were walking up to the summit.
The trail was in excellent conditions. All crevasses were really open, but easy to cross them and snow bridges were in good conditions, except one around 8500 feet. Its not going to last long for sure, and the bridge is narrow and weak¦I dont know what is going to happen when it melts¦Anyway, we crossed it and continued up to the ridge, where we climbed until the beginning of the Roman Wall. Roman Wall was in excellent conditions as well. Frozen snow steps and no ice made the strenuous slope easier.
In about 4,5 hours we reached the summit. What a fantastic summit, except for the wind. All the clouds burned off by the sun and the views from Mt. Rainier, BC and everywhere were awesome. Some pictures, and set off our way back. The snow was wet, which was good for the knees in the way down. We reached the tent after 2 hours, had a snack and kept moving downhill until the snowline. A couple of hours more to get to the car and Mt. Baker was completely done.
Reply to this TR
Please login first: