– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Mount Buckner Trifecta — Cascades Trip Report

by Louie Dawson July 29, 2011
written by Louie Dawson July 29, 2011

I come slowly awake, peeking under the jacket covering my head from the beating sun. Stretching into the distance around me are the ragged North Cascade Mountains. Immediately past my feet drops the steep snow of the North Face of Mt. Buckner, with the North Couloir just to the right, and the beautiful SW Face behind me — three enticing ski lines, ripe for the taking. As I gather my gear, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing with my afternoon.

North cascades ski mountaineering

The north face of Mt. Buckner. Bottom of the North Couloir can also be seen to the left of the main face. Click most images to enlarge.

Once again the good weather had lined up with the weekend. It was decided to head up to Cascade River Road with Ryan Lurie and Dan Helmstadter. I’d only skied with Ryan twice, and had only met Dan once, and was excited to get out skiing with them. Both have a ton of experience mountaineering in the North Cascades and I’m always looking for mentors. We made plans to ski the north face of Mt. Buckner, a classic steep ski route, and then cross the Boston Glacier and climb the Northwest Ridge of Mt. Forbidden, a classic alpine rock climb. Ambitious to say the least, we brought rock shoes and climbing gear, and prepared for a brutally hard day. I was excited, as I’ve been wanting to climb Mt. Forbidden, of the famous Torment-Forbidden traverse, ever since I moved to Washington.

We left the parking lot at about 4:00 in the afternoon, and headed up the trail towards Cascade Pass, with beautiful Mt. Johannesburg towering above us. We made it to camp at dark, made a quick dinner, and went to bed.

Much to our dismay the alarm went off at two hours after midnight. Funny how things you plan with intention can feel so painful. Bearing up, we pack our rucksacks and head up toward Sahale Peak.

I am not good at getting up early, however I love skinning or climbing before the sun comes up. There is nothing quite like skinning along starlit snow, wrapped in the world illuminated by your headlamp. We passed a few other climber’s tents, the closest we would get to other people all day. The sky lightened as we skirted around the top of Sahale, and headed toward Boston Peak.

North cascades ski mountaineering

Sunrise on clear skies over Sahale Peak.

We enjoyed a beautiful sunrise as we walked along the ridge toward Boston Peak. I had read about some tricky 3rd class scrambling to get over Boston, and true to reports we encountered an exposed mass of steep choss — the infamous “Beckey 3rd class.” We eventually found an easier route up the ridge towards the summit of Boston, but that quickly became an exposed, loose traverse. We carefully made our way across and reached the upper slopes of the impressive Boston Glacier.

North Cascades ski mountaineering

Dan enjoys sunrise over the North Cascades

North cascades ski mountaineering

Exposed loose rock, better than a double espresso! Dan and Ryan heading toward the Boston Glacier.

We skied down the glacier to the base of Buckner and dropped off our rock gear along the way, planning on grabbing it on the way to Forbidden. We reached the face just as the sun was beginning to hit the top. We were able to avoid many of the crevasses on the lower face, and even found some running water half way up. The climb was beautiful, with gorgeous views and hard snow.

North cascades ski mountaineering

Ryan skis toward Mt. Buckner

North cascades ski mountaineering

Dan looks down the North Face from about 3/4 the way up.

We reached the summit at about 11:00, and the sun still hadn’t touched most of the snow we planned to ski. We realized that we had two choices, either ski the face in firm and possibly dangerous conditions, and then climb Forbidden, or give up on Forbidden and wait for the face to soften. We opted for the wait (which conveniently allowed us an hour and a half for a summit nap.)

Ski mountaineering in the North Cascades

Napping on the top of Mt. Buckner

The sun had warmed the face, and we started down. The corn was perfect and the backcountry skiing fun. We dropped the North Face, and then had to head up the glacier to retrieve our gear. The Boston Glacier is viciously crevassed, with cracks randomly scattered across the ice. We carefully made our way towards our gear, and headed back to the base of Buckner.

Ski mountaineering in the North Cascades

Ryan skiing the North Face of Buckner

Ski mountaineering in the North Cascades

Dan skiing the lower part of the North Face of Buckner.

We headed up the face a second time, punching in a little more. I was feeling a little tired but we made it to the top quickly, and decided to head down the North Couloir.

Ski mountaineering in the North Cascades

Dan starting down into the North Couloir on Mt. Buckner

The North Couloir is just to skier’s right of the face, and we had looked down it as we hiked up. Ryan decided to hang out on top, and Dan and I skied the chute. It was a nice backcountry skiing run, with added spice of skiing above the gaping bergschrund. We stopped directly above the schrund and headed back up. I was feeling pretty tired, so Dan graciously broke trail the entire way, and we made it up to the top in no time. Third time on top of Buckner for the day!

We started off the Southwest Face, heading toward one last climb and then back to camp. The face was a little warm, but still offered fun turns. The climb back up Sahale arm went quicker than expected, although it was still grueling. We packed up camp and skied toward Cascade Pass.

We were able to make turns all the way to Cascade Pass, and then decided to try to ski down patchy snow all the way to the car, avoiding the nearly infinite series of low angled switchbacks (as in, who built that thing!?). We explored several fingers of snow in the waning light, and decided on one that looked promising. As I skied down it, I thought I saw continuous snow to the bottom, so I motioned for Ryan and Dan to follow. We made it almost to the valley bottom, and encountered a hidden waterfall cliff. We considered rappelling, but it would have been iffy, so we opted to don crampons and climb back up what we just skied. It was disheartening to get so close to the car and have to turn around, but the traverse back to the summer trail went quickly, and soon my headlamp illuminated mud and footprints. I quickly lost count of the amount of the torturous switchbacks, as the path grudgingly made its way down the side of the valley. We reached the car a little past midnight, making for a 21 hour day.

I was envious of Dan’s camper van while driving back to Marblemount, as I made it for barely another hour before falling asleep in the back of my car. I snoozed for a few hours and then then forced myself to get going again so I wouldn’t be too late to work. We didn’t accomplish our original goal, but more than made up for it by skiing three awesome routes on Buckner, making it an epic anyways.

14 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Tyrolia TRB 1982, Online Binding Museum
next post
D. B. Cooper, FBI May Have Possible New Suspect

14 comments

Caleb Wray July 29, 2011 - 11:34 am

Great photos and writing Louie. I enjoyed that.

Louie July 29, 2011 - 2:58 pm

Thanks!

PigPen July 29, 2011 - 5:01 pm

Ya, good on ya! I am a knuckle dragging splitboarder who did not have enough partners a decade ago to get out in the PNW. Now 2 dogs 2 jobs try to hold me back in CO. Was on St. Vrain recently. Low angle dog fun. Cheers Lou 2 Electric Boogaloo

Frank K July 29, 2011 - 6:07 pm

Jealous. That looks like real skiing in late July.

Gregg Cronn July 29, 2011 - 6:44 pm

Lovely pictures and write up. The one of Ryan dropping morning crust towards Buckner is stunning. Nice work as usual Louie.

Ryan July 29, 2011 - 10:34 pm

Well done! The Boston Glacier is pretty impressive, isn’t it?! Beautiful area.

Lisa July 30, 2011 - 8:58 am

Love the photo of the sunrise over Sahale Peak. It is so nice to read about your outing. Thanks for the excellent trip report. Lots of love, Mom

Sky July 31, 2011 - 11:01 pm

It’s great to see you doing some real Cascade Classics with two of my favorite people, Louie.

Eric Steig August 1, 2011 - 8:44 am

Nicely done Louie! Ain’t it grand how the snow lasts until August around here? I skied the easy Sulphide on Shuksan the other day in still really great conditions. Did you ever get your folks up that peak while they were visiting?

Forrest T August 1, 2011 - 11:03 am

Awesome day by the looks of it. Excellent stuff.

Nick August 1, 2011 - 12:10 pm

Wow – awesome pictures!

Mark W August 1, 2011 - 9:45 pm

Awesome as usual. Turns all year for sure! By the way, I believe it is Fred Beckey, not Becky.

Lou August 2, 2011 - 6:17 am

Thanks Mark!

Mike T August 5, 2011 - 11:41 am

Good one!!!!

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • Stephen Hole on Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
  • rob coppolillo on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • rob coppolillo on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • AntoineB on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • Sebastian on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure

Gear Reviews

  • High Pressure Kit Review — Ortovox Col Becchei Pant & Piz Boe Jacket

    January 25, 2021
  • Simple and Dependable — Black Diamond Helio 145 Binding Review

    January 20, 2021
  • Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review

    January 14, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Finding Early Turns on Rainier’s Muir Snowfield

    November 14, 2020
  • Treading Lightly Through Close-to-Home Mountains

    October 6, 2020
  • Snoqualmie Classic — Chair Peak Circumnavigation

    May 26, 2020

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • Totally Deep Podcast 81 — CAIC Director Ethan Greene

    December 9, 2020
  • Unraveling the Mysteries of Avalanche Education — Totally Deep Podcast 80

    November 16, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

    December 2, 2020
  • Buying Used Gear Guide Part II — Poles, Avy Gear, Packs

    November 25, 2020
  • Save Your Ski Day — Emergency Car Kit Essentials

    November 24, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains...

January 7, 2021

10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry...

December 2, 2020

Finding Early Turns on Rainier’s Muir...

November 14, 2020