Snow in the PNW 13/14

[TAFKALVS]

It's an epidemic in the entire PNW/Coast range, not just Baker.

Yeah, now that you mention it, I've seen some pretty stupid stuff happen around Stevens too. I hate to get on a high horse because I've done stupid stuff too, but... I've been astonished by the idiocy I witnessed this last season.

1)Jim Hill. Moderate danger day. Snowpack was solid on lower angle slopes, but steeper windloaded slopes were releasing 8-12 inch deep slabs. Really nice light powder, great day to play it cool and meadow skip. We were skinning up a mellow ridge and looked across the bowl and saw couple dudes pop out on a steep corniced ridge 400ft away (With a significant flat meadow/gully separating us). Dialogue between the two that followed was hilarious. "Dude aren't these cornices kinda big?" "Naw, nothing will slide, I checked the avy forecast and it said moderate." Dude number 1 then proceeds to huck off the cornice and trigger a 20 foot wide by 12 inch deep slab. His buddy drops in on top of him off the same cornice mid-slide. Dude number 1 gets knocked off his feet and buried to his knees. His buddy yells "Bro, you ok??" He responds "Yeah dude, just a little wind pocket sluff, no big deal." They high five. My group watched in disbelief.

2) Skyline Ridge. This place is always a shit show because it is across from the resort. Sunny day and a solid snowpack, about 8" of well bonded powder over a firm crust. There is a decent sized bowl with several steep 35-40° convexities (locally known as tye peak.) Typically most ascend via a straight forward ridge that follows meadows and a mellow ridgeline. Instead 3 different parties were setting their own separate skintracks straight up a slidepath and into the steepest gut of the bowl. While there were no mishaps due to the bomber conditions it was was unbelievable to pick such a route considering the relative ease and safety of ascent up the normal route.

[Eluder]

Is that from today? I cant conceive that even being faster. Its pretty steep at the top.

[hop]

yep, today.

The other line of the day was the moron snowboarder that traversed from the top of Hemispheres to skier's left Elf Chutes/Contest Lines, then proceeded to sideslip from there all the way down to the bottom. Their commitment to the fall line was admirable as the "express elevator to hell" direct line took them over a couple rock bands when a simple left or right traverse would have offered an easy snowy exit at a few points of their extended heel-side carve.

[Eluder]

I saw that one... couldn't really figure out what was going there.

[Ted Striker]

Not like there is a quick and easy road to skin up the other side or anything....

lulz, no kidding. Especially considering that the skintrack up the road is already there.

[BeardedClam]

God damn. I've seen the early cut up to Maggie's, never that.

Headin up there early tomorrow to poke around the high north bowls if you're out and about, and Banff tonight as well.

[Skree]

Anybody else been staring at the picture, trying to figure out how someone would decide that was a good idea?

I'm stumped.

[TAFKALVS]

The amount of athleticism that up track must have required is impressive.

120mm underfoot skis plus the highest heel lifter settings can climb anything I suppose.

[nyskirat]

Anybody else been staring at the picture, trying to figure out how someone would decide that was a good idea?

I'm stumped.

Just lurking in here to see some stoke but jesus. Even as someone who has minimal experience skinning in areas like this I know thats a bad idea.

[shafty85]

Well, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line Plus, that means he got through those terrain traps and start zones quickly.

I can't tell from my computer, but is that a lot of debris near the bottom of the slope? If so, I'm pretty sure that means it's safe cause it's already slid at least once this season

The amount of athleticism that up track must have required is impressive.

+1. I'm not sure I could even accomplish it if I tried.

[powholic]

lulz, no kidding. Especially considering that the skintrack up the road is already there.

you always answers this way when at fault - I bet those are your tracks

[Ted Striker]

you always answers this way when at fault - I bet those are your tracks

Ha ha, you know I'm way too lazy to do that. Now if I could get the dogs to pull me up the road....

[Zeedashbo]

tuesday was memorable

good way to start the day




pops isnt very nice with the camera. but you can't blur the memories.






good thing i got that auto focus figured out






not a bad way to end the day

[Norseman]

very nice.

[whyturn]

Baker starts good again, nice pics

[Stringbender]

Agreed. Baker was beautiful on Tuesday. It felt great to finally get up there again.

Here is one of my friend Vince enjoying the remainders late in the afternoon.

[tDot13]

Any tips on where to find some good backcountry maps for Baker? Any suggestions on some good routes? I'll be with my girlfriend, so nothing too technical.

I haven't toured up there since I was a little kid, when a family friend was one of the head patrollers. I'm stoked to finally be able to go back and check it out.

Thanks.

[Zeedashbo]

Google maps. Click terrain.

[samthaman]

Here's a good map of where to ski:

[Skree]

Google maps. Click terrain.

Follow that up with a trip over to CalTopo.

[Norseman]

http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php

Check out the menu at upper right. The "T4 - Topo High USA" option displays the 7.5 minute topo maps at a certain zoom level. Other options are cool as well.

[Power_Sauce]

Some shots from single digit pow shredding near Stevens yesterday:

[pipedream]

I have been in walk-in freezers warmer than it was today above 5k. That said, light, fluffy pow was harvested on slopes of all aspect and angulation today and my legs are going to hate me in the morning.

[Norseman]

Purty days, these are.

[Lahar]

That's a great map link.

http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php

Check out the menu at upper right. The "T4 - Topo High USA" option displays the 7.5 minute topo maps at a certain zoom level. Other options are cool as well.