Mt. Baker conditions?

[bumski]

Has anyone been to Baker or in the backcountry near Baker recently (last couple days)? How are the conditions at the mountain? My guess would be hard pack on mountain and maybe crusty in the backcountry? I have a pass and am contmeplating whether it's worth the drive to the mountain or to go skining tomorrow.

[bumski]

Baker today... Inbounds is doable if you have a pass and want to use it. Outside the ropes is still good in places. It is beginning to get tracked but there is still a lot to be had. There is a few inches of dry snow on top of a fairly solid layer of crust. On steep slopes, when trying to ditch speed, the layer of crust makes you nervous. Your not sure if your gonna break through the crust or hit something solid and you slide/skid a lot when trying to grab an edge (it's a little scary).

[samcaylor]

still fun though! just be light on your feet, bend your knees and point it.

coming down under 8 wasnt to bad, soft-ish in spots. like he said, groomer day if you have a pass, not really worth it otherwise.

[bumski]

Yesterday Herman & Table where both still good considering the conditions everywhere else. The layer of crust is still there but with the fresh snow on top you could still open it up. There is getting to be a lot of tracks (and a lot of skin tracks) but no where near being completely tracked out.