Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:29 pm Herman & Slate (Mt. Baker area) 1-27-07
Ever since my first trip to Mazama Dome (with Stefan in ’02), I’ve wanted to try Herman, but had to wait for stable snow and good weather. With both conditions in abundance, we were able to pull off a loop over both Herman & Slate. Out party included Mike T, Billie, Richard B, Lynn, Eric, Jay, Randy, & Richard J.
With clear skies and firm snow, we hiked along Bagley Lakes and up to the 5400-foot col just west of Mazama Dome. From there we traversed north past outcrops of Herman, till we reached the wide gully that extends up westward to the 5950-foot col just south of Herman’s summit. Along the way up, I dropped a Power Bar down the crusty slope, but Randy caught it a hundred feet downhill, a favor that I was able to repay later in the day. From the col, we proceeded directly up the ridge, which started out narrow and steep but had good snow for kicking steps.
The Herman summit (6285) had lots of space and great views, but needed some caution to stay back from the large cornice on the north side. We had an especially good view down onto the flat top of Table Mountain.
The descent off the north side of Herman was quite steep (maybe 45 degrees), so three people decided to retrace our approach and visit Mazama Dome, while the other six continued to Slate. We dropped down the steep snow and angled across to the Herman-Slate col at 5750 feet. We found a route upward following a narrow gully just right (west) of the ridge crest.
Slate’s summit (6209) provided another wide platform with good views, where I could enjoy my summit tea. Besides Baker & Shuksan, the northern line of peaks stood out clearly – Tomyhoi, Canadian & American Border, Larrabee, and east & west Goat.
To complete the loop, we descended northward off Slate to the wide gully that extends westward between Slate and its south summit. From there we curved downward west and then south around the east flanks of Slate and then Herman. On the shaded colder snow, we finally got to use all the foot hardware we’d been carrying. First we wore snowshoes for soft snow on the upper slopes, then crampons for steeper hard snow lower down. I repaid Randy’s earlier favor by catching his crampon when it came off and bounced down a steep slope. We arrived at Bagley Creek east of Herman and then hiked back uphill a few hundred feet to the parking lot.
Back at the cars, we were treated to bright alpenglow highlighting the northern peaks. We stayed long enough to watch the light climb the peaks until only the last tip of Goat was lit up.
Loop trip about 6 miles, 3400 feet of gain, 7.5 hours.
Matt,
Thanks for the report. We were coming up the valley as you were nearing the 5400' col. From the ridge and then summit of Mazama Dome we watched your progress to the summit. Looks like a great trip. A trip that really requires very low avalanche danger as you stated.
In the photo below your group is on the high spot below the first gully. The 5400' col is at far right.
Thanks again. I did not expect to see photos from your trip.
If doing Herman in winter, be advised that most of which appears to be the "summit" (the top looks a bit like a dome) is mostly cornice. We got a good look at it from the back side when descending the east slope heading over to Slate.
Curious what the actual summit looks like without snow--I'm betting it's quite small.
Since cartman mentioned it, here's a picture of the Herman summit cornice, taken from Slate. By reference to the trees, you can see that it's fairly large, probably at least 15-20 feet. The photo colors are distorted so details will show up better.
-------------- "Matt, you are truly full of it. But you take great --- pics, in spite of that." Scrooge
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