Baker south, Oct 5, 2007
10/15/07
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
2419
1
Mt. Baker south - October 5. Given the only good forecast for a week in either direction, today was the day to start the new ski season. Along, with Michaels Lee and Jackson, and Bean the dog, I went up to the Schreiber Meadow trailhead on the south side of Baker. There was about 6 inches of dense snow there. The snow rapidly got deeper. Call it 4 feet deep at 6,000 feet altitude. We had sun most of the way up, but rising clouds of fog eventually flattened the light and ended our ascent. The summit appeared to be in the sun the whole day. Trail breaking was hard and slow in the deep, heavy snow, even for 3 of us taking shifts at the lead. Going down was neither hideous nor great. At least the density of the snow meant that even on the trail through the woods, if it was white, you could ski it without damaging your skis. If there was another day or two of decent weather this snow would settle into a quality suitable for efficient touring. It doesnt look like that will happen.
Baker makes its own weather. Even though all of Puget Sound apparently enjoyed a beautiful day, the midlevel cloud on Bakers south side built up to the point that we go consistent rain going down the Scott Paul trail to the car.
I really should have ignored my usual Friday morning sleep-in, idled for awhile at the border and joined you on the mountain. Baker did look good even from some distance.
Reply to this TR
Please login first: