Heliotrope Ridge Moat – Mt Baker

This post is mostly an appeal for locals to maintain marking the hazardous moat site and to not be afraid to let folks know about it. Information about the moat has already been posted here:
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=24963.0

Last Saturday several of us marked the uphill side of the moat with bamboo poles and some rope. The moat was not open and someone had glissaded over it recently. I know marking hazards in backcountry terrain can be viewed as controversial but as mentioned in the other post – this site is unique and has a history of catching people. We marked it in hopes of avoiding any repeat of accidents like last year.

The people that have had accidents here tend to be non-locals or more on the inexperienced side. Last year, several members of Bellingham Mountain Rescue talked to the victim of the fatal accident while on her Colman Headwall climb. She was from out of town and a very capable climber but just didn’t know, or think, about such a hazard down low on the mountain. They are kicking themselves for not warning her about the moat hazard. Please don’t be afraid to check in and communicate with your fellow backcountry travels.

travel safe; have fun
Eric

I would add the request for TYA readers that if you are in the area please take a look at the bamboo and help us maintain it above the black hole. We are asking people to periodically get out and help maintain the warning. If any of you see it drifting down slope and too close to the hole location please help us by moving it back up hill.
The though is when the hole is obvious then lets move the bamboo over to the trees (looker's left, skier's right) and I'll bring the rope and boo back out.
Thanks - If we all keep an eye on this maybe no one will get hurt and yet we may never know if we were able to help someone.