Heliotrope Ridge Ski 2010

A solo backcountry telemark ski outing to the Coleman Glacier on Mt. Baker
  • Mt. Baker from the lower climber's camp at 5800-ft; climber's trails every which way.
  • My objective: the barren knob on Heliotrope Ridge 1300 vertical feet above. Mind that open slot on the way down. ;-)
  • My constant view for 90 minutes as the thinner air made me suffer skinning up the slope.
  • Mt. Baker and Colfax Peak (one of the Black Buttes). Note the climber's route between.
  • Nearing my objective; looking west towards Bellingham. Marmot Ridge melting out down below.
  • At 7100-ft, above the clouds that cover Bellingham. Not a breath of wind...
  • Purple Acsension skins drying in the sun; amazed that the glue still works after eight years.
  • Who's awesome? You're awesome... (For my nephew Kyle, a great fan of my self-portraits.)
  • An amazing lunch spot; dry, warm, and views of the climbers come down Mt. Baker in the hot sun.
  • Looking west at the Sisters Range and the Olympic Peninsula far distant (Bellingham between).
  • Preping the skis for the descent. My first turns since New Year's Eve...
  • First test turns on a super steep wall coming off the ridge. Perfectly silky smooth snow... heaven!
  • North Cascades Sweet Corn. Indescribably delicious.
  • The hike out... 377 year old Douglas Fir dropped across the trail year before last.