[abkoch3]

Celebrating the completion of a big doctoral deadline, I wanted to get out for a good hike after many months of sedentary life living vicariously through the exploits of others. Why not get back into things with a classic leg-buster?

Peak-a-boo summit

Conditions and weather report looked reasonably friendly for Baring with the main concern being wet-loose activity if the sun came out. After a slightly leisurely start, mostly cloudy weather conditions staying cloudy, and feeling very out of shape, we took our time on the steeps, gaining the ridge in 80-90 min. Snow started consistently at about 3500' but we didn't use traction until later on the ridge when the boot path from a few days before was pretty icy. The basin had some lovely new snow (would make for some excellent turns but I wouldn't want to hike skis up that approach for such a short amount of skiing). I switched to snow shoes part way up to the col as I was punching through a frustrating amount.

So fluffy!!!

Back to crampons for the snow wall and then relatively easy navigation up to the summit (also still corniced). Views were had to the north and a little to the east, but in a cloud otherwise. We did a mix of plunge stepping and glissading back to the basin. As expected, increasing sun breaks (naturally after leaving the summit) were causing trees to drop the new snow they got over night, some sloughing off the south peak, and roller balls/pinwheels so it was time to get out of there. Uneventful descent the rest of the way to close out my first real climb after the forced hiatus.

Transition for the 'wall'

Nice to be back on steep snow (photo by MH)

MH on the 'wall'

Grade eases off (photo by MH)

Summit views

Merchant

[zephyr]

[KascadeFlat]

I love Baring. Never done it in the winter. It's amazing how the snow can so drastically change the landscape. Thanks for sharing!

[Celticclimber]

Five years I did huff skis up Baring. For, as like you, every time I climbed up that couloir, I thought how much fun it would be to ski it. Well. Five years ago I did..... But you are so right: For the 5 minutes it took me do drop the couloir. Sure wasn't worth the effort it took in the getting there.

[abkoch3]