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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1461 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 9:36 PM
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All day Friday I was wondering what I might be able to do outside when a friend’s FB status pops up
“Climbing Mt. Baker tomorrow! Stoked!”
Um, can I come too? A few texts and calls later and the plan is made. Baker via the ever popular Coleman-Deming and up the Roman wall as a party of 4: Saar, Dave, Mark, and myself. With the end of the settled high in sight it was going to have to be a day trip.
Wait, what time are we leaving? 2 AM start from Vancouver?! Alrighty then.
So after about an hour of sleep, I get up and make breakfast. Only problem was that I was still full from dinner. Gotta eat though. We left on schedule and drove to the trailhead without incident. A quick saddle up and we were heading up the logging road toward Heliotrope Ridge and about 5:15. We decided to mostly stick to the hiking route on the way up. This involved a few creek crossings and some log ducking. Once we got above tree line we mostly climbed the ridge lines toward the Baker-Colefax col.
Leaving the truck
A few creek crossings
At tree line
The snow was pretty hard but had good texture for maintaining skin traction. Once we got above tree line the other guys opted for ski crampons. Unfortunately this wasn’t in the cards for me. I’ve been putting off buying them for the time when I’ll need them and of course MEC didn’t have any in the size I needed. With my wide-ish skis it was getting really tiring switchbacking at low angle and the boot rubbing was making hot spots on my feet. I opted instead to just head straight up. Luckily there wasn’t anything too steep for this approach so the other guys crisscrossed around me as I made beelines up the slopes.
The straight up approach
As we approached the Colefax prominence it was clear that the snow bridges were big and strong so we plugged on through. We got to the Baker-Colefax Col and the fatigue was starting to really be felt by all.
Heading for Colefax
Lots of company on route
Some big slots with equally big bridges
What’s that smell? Rotten eggs? No, it’s Baker belching volcanic gases.
What’s that sound? Angry bees? No, it’s just a herd of snowmobilers ripping around on the southern slopes.
A switch over to crampons and a short break later we started plodding up the Roman wall. It was really challenging to maintain a good rhythm without skyrocketing the heart rate. The altitude was toying with us all. Fatigue and even headaches made this truly an arduous stretch of climbing. Thankfully the weather was perfect with a cool breeze and clear skies and the views were spectacular. The occasional waft from Baker and the ebb and flow of the motor driven buzz broke up the monotony.
Parties ahead
Skis on the back and crampons
Gasping for air approaching the summit plateau
After a quick break at the top of the wall we hit the summit at around 2:30 (IIRC) but didn’t hang out for long. A summit shot, a snack, and a sip later and we were on our way down. Lucky for us, our pace made for perfect timing for the descent. We had watched others scrape their way down the Roman wall but we actually got a bit of pleasant corn. Some of the north facing slopes near Colfax were still pretty hard but below that it was all smooth corn. The skiing quickly erased all of the exhaustion of the climb. Unfortunately my GoPro has been on the fritz and none of the footage came out.
Resting at the top
Obligatory group shot
We were given some great advice the traverse high past the trail to the drainage that leads straight to the approach logging road. This led to more high speed corn carving. It was then a surprisingly easy traverse through the trees to the outhouse at the Heliotrope trailhead. A quick blast down the logging road whoop-dee-doos and we were back at the car at around 5.
Skiing out
Looking up at the last excellent pitch
Back through the trees
This has been high on the list of trips I have wanted to do for the last couple of years. It was more difficult than I had imagined since I wasn’t expecting the altitude to have such an effect. I’m sure the lack of sleep didn’t help. It was also the best ski descent I have ever done (although I haven’t done a whole lot). I couldn’t believe that we made it from summit to car with almost no uphills and such fun turns. The photos were all taken by my companions. |
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Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
560 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 9:41 PM
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Very nice!  |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1133 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 9:41 PM
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Is the road almost snow free to the parking lot?
Thanks for the report! |
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 canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6871 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 9:42 PM
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Thats cool.
Wow, short notice eh?
Way to bag that peak, and on skis too. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1461 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 9:46 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by thecamel
Is the road almost snow free to the parking lot?
Thanks for the report!
I don't really know where the parking lot is since this was my only trip there. It was maybe 2 km to the outhouse and Heliotrope trailhead. Didn't take long at all. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1461 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 9:47 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Aqua Terra
Thats cool.
Wow, short notice eh?
Way to bag that peak, and on skis too.
Short notice? I had a full 7 hours to get ready and catch some sleep.  |
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 Best grilled cheese maker ever
Whitehorse, YUKON
Canada
2159 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 9:58 PM
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| Solid. |
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371 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 10:05 PM
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| Looks like a fantastic day to bag Baker I've had this on my list for a while now... very inspiring |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4663 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2012 : 08:07 AM
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| Nice! |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
119 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2012 : 09:12 AM
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| Awesome :-) |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
520 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2012 : 6:24 PM
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I agree, it sucks that one can buy ski crampons at MEC only from December to February. I had to buy a new pair on short notice last year at the beginning of March and was told it was backordered for the next Fall. Plenty of yoga pants though!
Great slideshow. Congratulation on getting the summit.
How far were you able to drive? |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1461 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2012 : 8:39 PM
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It's not just MEC, they couldn't suggest anywhere to buy them in Vancouver.
I think it was about 2 km to the heliotrope trailhead from where we parked. |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13598 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 10:31 PM
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Looks like a great trip. Clear blue skies just the thing to brighten your day and make for great photo ops.
K |
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salt spring island, bc
Canada
183 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2012 : 10:01 AM
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quote:
I get up and make breakfast. Only problem was that I was still full from dinner
tough times... great report |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
224 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2012 : 3:46 PM
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Regarding, ski crampons at MEC, I just received this information. By the way, I suggest that people buy the ski crampons at the time they buy their new binding, as a matter of principle - just like you would for ski breaks (or straps). Once the binding goes out of production, or isn't sold in Canada any more, it'll be difficult to get the fitting ski crampons.
With respect to your comment about the lack of ski crampons currently available at the Vancouver store, we regret that we have low stock of some models of ski crampons at this time. We try to ensure that we have enough stock of seasonal items like ski crampons in each store during the entirely of the season but unfortunately our predictions are sometimes not as accurate as we would like and we occasionally find that demand outstrips supply. The additional challenge with ski crampons is that there are so many types of bindings and widths of skis currently in common usage that we are required to stock many different models of ski crampons to ensure compatibility.
That being said, we do still have some remaining stock of some sizes and models of ski crampons. If the crampons that your club members are interested in are not currently available at the Vancouver store, they may still be able to be purchased from our online store, www.mec.ca. Alternately, your club members could also call our Service Centre at 1 888 847 0770 and one of our representatives would be happy to assist them in finding some of the remaining ski crampons available either in one of our stores or in our warehouse. |
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Maple syrup lovin', tree huggin', face paintin' relocated Québécoise who is VERY serious about having fun
Vancouver
Canada
2637 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2012 : 3:29 PM
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I hadn't even thought of looking here to get details of your outing. Thanks to CT, I now know what you were up to while I was away.  |
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Stinkin' it up on Baker 12/05/19
