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PNW Snow Report — More, Please

by Julia Dubinina December 9, 2019
written by Julia Dubinina December 9, 2019
A big thanks to Onx backcountry for making these post happen. Check out the Onx mapping app for your next backcountry adventure and click here to use the app to support your local avalanche forecasters
Louie enjoying the fluffy early season snow.

Louie enjoying the fluffy early season snow on Baker.

Snow is finally starting to make a timid appearance in the PNW. A few of us got out December 1 and December 8 to check out conditions. Here’s a brief report from both outings.

Crystal Mountain

With the moody weather forecast and a low tide base, we settled for the backcountry around Crystal Mountain. We skinned into Silver Basin area, staying generally closer to Three-Way Peak. Over the previous few days, there were fairly strong winds that swept a lot of the snow away towards the north east facing aspects. A lot of the higher elevation ridges are looking rather bare at the moment.

Conditions exceeded our expectations. We skied low angle, treed terrain. The coverage was overall better when anticipated with about 2 feet on the ground, not enough to cover rocks and bushes, but enough to have fun; the snow was light and fluffy. The ground, unfortunately, is still not light or fluffy, and wasn’t very far beneath the snow.

Louie finding some fresh pow that was mostly deep enough to ski.

Louie finding some fresh pow that was mostly deep enough to ski.

The highlight of the weekend was taking our “Totally Foamular” camper on its maiden snow voyage. The skiing wasn’t as exhilarating as we wanted it to be, but the french fry nacho creation we made on the camper stove sure was. We continue to fine tune our camper adventure rig, we will share more stories soon.

Totally Foamular in its now natural habitat.

Totally Foamular in its now natural habitat.

Mount Baker

December 8, Louie and I ventured over to Heliotrope Ridge on Mount Baker. It was a clear, stellar day, so no surprise that about 40 other people thought it was a good idea as well.

We were able to drive and park at trailhead without any shenanigans. Microspikes were helpful on the last part of our hike in. Louie was rocking what we decided was the best PNW approach footwear ever: Xtratufs with microspikes.

XtraTuf boots + crampons = XtraTuf-pons

XtraTuf boots + microspikes = XtraTuf-pons

We started skinning at about 5000. A few inches of fresh snow fell the night before, covering the crust that formed on the older snow, making for enjoyable skiing. There were open crevasses and glacier ice lying around; a good reminder that hazards still exist and it is very much early season.

 Beautiful Mount Baker on our skin in, spot the number of tracks in the background.

Beautiful Mount Baker on our skin in. Spot the number of tracks in the background.

Mount Baker was looking spectacular. I can’t remember the last time I experienced visibility that good on Heliotrope ridge in December.

This slowly forming, thin snowpack is atypical for the PNW, unless there’s a good rain event (not unlikely around here). There may be spicy persistent weak layers buried at the bottom of the snowpack given the patchy start. With Colorado already reporting multiple human triggered avalanches and even some burials, we are being careful not to forget that if there is snow to ski, there is snow to slide. Don’t let the early season conditions fool you.

We sure need another two-three feet to fill in a decent base. Make sure to keep doing those snow dances please!

9 comments
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9 comments

Kyle December 9, 2019 - 8:29 am

Nice to see you up there! Snow dances ensue

Lisa Dawson December 9, 2019 - 10:39 am

I love those Mt. Baker shots — stunning!

yurtmiester December 9, 2019 - 6:55 pm

like the drop floor(unprecedented in trailer camper engineering) in full effect.
by the way, legitimate answer to spam question could be binders vs. bindings

William Stein December 9, 2019 - 9:18 pm

Sunday was gorgeous and today was even clearer, though yesterday’s sunset clouds were gorgeous! I was the guy camping up there above Heliotrope ridge last night … I talked to 7 people on the way out today who were all also skiing there in Sunday.

Dan December 9, 2019 - 9:55 pm

So Great 🙂 Way to get after it!

Ryan C December 10, 2019 - 11:42 am

Put your pajamas in the freezer this season is just getting started! Made a few trips to Crystal & Mission Ridge over the last month for turns and scored a couple core shots in the process. Exited to see more options coming in with the snowfall this week. Nice pics and report

Gregg December 11, 2019 - 9:15 am

Thanks for the shouted report on Sunset. Glad you had some turns.

Dan December 16, 2019 - 9:45 am

Looks like you got your wish Julia! We’re in the cycle now…

Meg January 2, 2020 - 3:05 pm

Fun to see you and Louie up there! Heres to a great 2020 season!

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