March 26, 2005, Mt Baker BC
3/26/05
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
3401
3
We found Easter eggs on the skin up today, that was a first! Sorry to miss the NWAC tour, but had to find for myself that, yes, there were high winds, rising freezing levels and lots of wet snow -- at least 12" during the day.
Nevertheless, Monika, Monika (there are two), Muggs, and I toured to the Lake Ann TH area and found some nice turns in the trees on safe, short slopes. Snow was dense powder ;D, but great with fat skis. On an earlier run toward Bagley lake, we experienced some slabs breaking loose on 20+ degree slopes, so combined with poor vis, abandoned plans of touring toward Herman saddle. Also heard whomps in the same general area just outside the ski area boundry.
Finished the day as wet as I can remember. But nice to enjoy a winter-like day again with great friends. Also good to see some accumulation to help extend the season. Note: it did actually snow all day, not rain, which was a plus. It seemed that the freezing level dropped by mid-afternoon (we were never much above 5000').
Nevertheless, Monika, Monika (there are two), Muggs, and I toured to the Lake Ann TH area and found some nice turns in the trees on safe, short slopes. Snow was dense powder ;D, but great with fat skis. On an earlier run toward Bagley lake, we experienced some slabs breaking loose on 20+ degree slopes, so combined with poor vis, abandoned plans of touring toward Herman saddle. Also heard whomps in the same general area just outside the ski area boundry.
Finished the day as wet as I can remember. But nice to enjoy a winter-like day again with great friends. Also good to see some accumulation to help extend the season. Note: it did actually snow all day, not rain, which was a plus. It seemed that the freezing level dropped by mid-afternoon (we were never much above 5000').
Thanks for the report (although you missed an outstanding visit at NWAC).
Could you be a bit more specific about "20+ degree slopes?" About, for example, how steep these slopes were, and how deep they slid (Within storm snow? Base of storm snow? Into previous snow? Etc.). I'm trying to think constructively about how to spend my tomorrow now that Rt. 20 is out of the running.
Could you be a bit more specific about "20+ degree slopes?" About, for example, how steep these slopes were, and how deep they slid (Within storm snow? Base of storm snow? Into previous snow? Etc.). I'm trying to think constructively about how to spend my tomorrow now that Rt. 20 is out of the running.
I would say no more than 25 degrees on a short slope, maybe 200' long, not far from the ski area boundry. The depth was about 12" from the most recent storm snow, not the 30" from the previous storm last weekend. There was a break across the slope about 30' long. We talked to two ski protrols who indicated that there was alot of movement in the snowpack from recent observations in the Herman saddle area. Enough for me to head to safer terrain.
Mmmm, that doesn't sound promising. Thanks for the information.
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