Skiing Mt. Baker

My dad is interested in coming out mid-Sept. to get in some turns on Baker. Just wondering if anyone's been up there recently and what the conditions are like? He was out in May and I guess the conditions were great. I've only been here a couple weeks and I'm not real familiar w/the area yet. Any comments, suggestions, alternative ideas would be great. Thanks.

My last time up there is recorded for posterity, thus:<br><br> www.turns-all-year.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB...splay;num=1092637788

I would expect it to be significantly worse now, and probably worse again in a few weeks. Rainier sounds significantly more rewarding recently (for a change).

September is normally the cruelest month for backcountry skiers, with otherwise-sane foks going to all sorts of extravagant lengths for a few bumpy turns on pumice-covered icy lumps. On the other hand, six inches of fresh snow can make for heroic conditions, so predictions are difficult. The only certainty of which I'm aware involves the fact that it will not in any significant way resemble May.<br><br>I ski quite a bit on and around Baker, more or less year-round. If you're in the Bellingham area, feel free to email for more ideas, information, or whenever you want to go skiing. markharf@yahoo.com

Enjoy,

Mark

I was just going to suggest Mark and/or Tim Place as potential guides/ski partners for the Baker area.<br>Both are great guys and very knowledgable on the local stashes.... but don't tell them I told you that 'cause they get all puffed up when they hear stuff like that

Heh. Too late. But you're feeling in need of unassuming modesty and unflagging devotion to decorum and protocol at any time, my vote would go to the Ron Jarvis Posse, collectively and individually.<br><br>Just don't tell him I said that; we don't want to spoil a good thing.

Check out the Mount Shuskan report in the TR's. Sounds like the conditions are not too great right now.