Finally, a nice day!
This morning was looking pretty clear, so a trip to Coleman Glacier on Mt Baker
was in order. The trail had spotty snow to the old Kulshan Cabin site, and
solid snow above 4700ft. The crust was firm and held up into mid morning. At
noon, around 7000ft, a ski boot would sink in about 30cm. This made the
travelling pretty good as we were on skis anyway, The skiing was beautiful
smooth corn. The crevasses looked nicely filled in, the glide cracks at the
toe of the glacier were starting to widen.
A piece of ice fell of the cliffs on the N Face, (around 9300ft), rumbled
down, entraining snow, and creating a dust cloud that rolled over the approach
to the N Face. The debris from the avalanche came very close to the usual
approach, and would of smoked anyone taking a "high Line" to the start of the
route.
On the upper reaches of the mountain, a moderate West wind was observed,
blowing spindrift off the ridgelines. The sky became overcast in early
afternoon, and off to the west the next system was sending mid level clouds
onto the coast.
Paul Berntsen,
Mountain Guide.
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These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The
ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in
continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable
nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information
provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions
Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
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