TR: first monoski descent of Mt. Baker

The high pressure system that has been over the PNW for the past two weeks was still hanging around for this weekend. My buddy Greg and I decided to try a winter ascent of Mt. Baker, a 10,778 volcano in the North Cascades. Cold temperatures with no no precipitation had stabalized the snow pack, so conditions were safe for avi and crevasse crossing.

The Heliotrip trail climbs from below tree level, around 3,500 ft I think, to some great bowls with fantastic views.

Skinning up with Baker in the background.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53420.jpg

Skiing conditions weren't promising. Mostly punchy wind crust or very hard pack/ ice.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53435.jpg

Because daylight hours are pretty limited, we decided to make it a two day venture.
Our bivy setup around 7,000 feet.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53421.jpg

Baker from camp with my new skis (thanks to JustCuz)
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53422.jpg

Things weren't looking so good the next morning, with a lenticular cloud hovering over the peak and an obvious front moving in.

http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53423.jpg

The wind was vicous on the way up, it started to snow, and our extremities were getting cold. We were about to throw in the towel around 9,000 feet, but the sun broke out again so we pushed on.

A shot from the summit.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53424.jpg

We started the descent towards the cloud level, enjoying the sunshine while it lasted. Skiing was crap, but better than bootpacking.
Me
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53425.jpg
Greg
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53426.jpg

At about 9,000 feet, I dropped into a face that had been smoothed by wind, the first nice crust of the day. With a little too much speed, I skied over a rollover and onto a patch of rock hard, chundery patch of hell. I rattled across it, but my ski popped off in the process and I tumbled face first down a steep pitch. Luckily, it flattened out less than a hundred feet below and I stopped my slide. I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw the ski had wedged against a chunk of ice above me. So I began bootpacking up towards it, when I noticed that my binding was still firmly clicked into my boot. FUCK. The metal had attatchment at the toe piece had ripped off, causing the crash. I was thanking God I didn't slide off a cliff, but cursing my luck for being 5000+ feet above our car with only one ski.

the binder. Fritschi Freeride...is this warranty-able? Has this happened to anyone else?
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53434.jpg

The rest of the way was skied on one ski. The firm crust actually made it easier until I started punching through it lower down. My legs have never gotten such a workout.

http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53427.jpg

But I was still able to maintain form at times
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53428.jpg

Greg was a buddy and carried my ski to make it easier for me.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53429.jpg

http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53430.jpg

Into the clouds...if you think skiing crust sucks, try skiing it with a heavy pack, no visibility, and one ski. :D GPS rocks.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53431.jpg

We made it back to the car after 3.5 hours of descending, just in time to beat the dark.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53433.jpg

impressive

Sounds challenging but sounds like you had fun too. :)

By the way, how was the BD bivy and what temp sleeping bag did you use? 0 degree + clothes?

Excellent! Nice pic! BD will warranty that binding. They are VERY good with their warranty dept.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/norma...ines_53426.jpg

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Originally Posted by ZGnzo

the binder. Fritschi Freeride...is this warranty-able? Has this happened to anyone else?

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I guess it happens when your ski gets compressed, the binding releases into walking mode and the long lever of the binding just twists (???) off that metal piece. same thing happened to me, except for: my ski took off to the bottom of the valley and it was in deep heavy snow. which makes resting your tired leg really comfortable.

oh, fritschi replaced it without asking for a reciept and it was obviously a pretty worn of set.

nice tr.

Another reason for nx21's. Bet you went into walk-mode and then ripped the toe out. ;) Also another good reason to carry duct tape, you could have taped your boot to the ski. ;)

Thanks for TR, cool shit.

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Originally Posted by Dug

Sounds challenging but sounds like you had fun too. :)

By the way, how was the BD bivy and what temp sleeping bag did you use? 0 degree + clothes?

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The BD bivy was Greg's...seemed to work out for him fine. I used a 20 degree bag + a liner (so maybe 0 degree) plus fleece pants and a light fleece longsleeve, and I was toasty, but I tend to be more hot blooded than most people at night.

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Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

Also another good reason to carry duct tape, you could have taped your boot to the ski. ;)

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We did have duct tape, and the idea was definitely considered but passed up because I was afraid of torquing or edge-slicing out of the duct tape and losing a runaway ski with no brakes. I've already lost one ski this year and can't really afford to lose another.

Really impressive, congrats on making both up and down!

Great TR with beautiful pictures. Too bad about your ski, glad you got down ok.

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Originally Posted by ZGnzo

Mt. Baker, a 10,778 volcano in the North Cascades

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Wow, sounds like a cool mountain, I might have to check it out sometime. Do they get much snow there?

And who knew there were VOLCANOS in America???

Crazy stuff.

Nice TR

I was just thinking, "that's not a monoski - that's a snowboard"...:biggrin:

what a great TR!!!!

Nicely done.

Did You have to switch legs on the way down or did you gnar it on one leg all the way ?:FIREdevil

Nice work! Way to push on despite the conditions, weather, etc.

That sucks,

My Diamir Frish broke at Berthoud pass couple months ago and I only had to descend 700' and that was plenty pain in the ass.

They should buy you dinner for your hassle.

those are my old skis! hope they serve ya well, looks like you got a workout!
Hunter

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Originally Posted by ZGnzo

The rest of the way was skied on one ski.

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Nice job, Bode!

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Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

Another reason for nx21's. Bet you went into walk-mode and then ripped the toe out.

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I've got the Freerides as well, and I went into walk mode while landing a 10 footer at Whistler. Needless to say, I couldn't turn and ate it. There were some other rippers behind me and one guy told me his friend had drilled a small hole in the heel lock and added a release pin. Any of you done this? I'm thinking I should do it, as I ski too many lines where that happening could spell doom.

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Originally Posted by Highway Star

I love freerides, especially when they break when you're skiing.

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Cool TR. Nice to see someone going for a peak.

Good Job on the Summit!

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Originally Posted by A-wreck

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HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

Nice TR. Glad you made it down safely. Make sure the rear piece was mounted correctly. If it were forward at all, it would be way more susceptible for a ski flex release. Stiffer skis or skis with a binding plate are less susceptible as well.

The '06-'07 version of the Freeride solves this completely along with skiing just like an alpine binding in feel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wildstyle

Nicely done.

Did You have to switch legs on the way down or did you gnar it on one leg all the way ?:FIREdevil

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It was probably 80% on my right leg, and then I'd switch over for a few minutes to recover. My left leg seemed pretty damn uncordinated and weak compared to the right.

As far as the binding goes, I had lots of problems with them popping into touring mode on my previous skis (super flexi pocket rockets). Since getting them remounted on the CMH's, I've skied them a few times inbounds pretty hard without any releasing into touring mode.