Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 391 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA
Tue Nov 27, 2012 11:32 pm
At 7am we started hiking from the Baker Ski Area up along the "Blueberry Cat Track" toward Austin Pass. From the pass we descended into the upper Swift Creek Drainage. The snow was crusty and we made fast progress traversing below Shuksan Arm in the general direction of Lake Ann. In fact, most of the way we were able to detect we were following the Lake Ann trail, which was under 2 feet of snow.
We reached the lower basin at 3930 feet, our low point for the day. From there we turned south and climbed into the upper basin at about 4100 feet. We ascended east of the central rib on the north face between Ann and Han aka "Annette". This slope was steep between 4800 and 5000 feet, making me wish I had bothered to get my axe out.
Near the ridge crest we saw what might have been some small crevasses on the glacier remnant. It's hard to tell for sure though. We paused to appreciate Shuksan and then turned right, towards Mount Ann, our first summit and high point for the day. This peaks is located smack-dab between Baker and Shuksan so the views are breath-taking all around. To the north we could see, Table, Herman, Tomyhoi, Canadian Border, American Border, Larrabee, Pleiades, Goat, Slesse, and Sefrit.
We left Ann and wandered over to Annette aka "Han". From this summit we could easily see the upper and Lower Curtis Glacier as well as a large part of the Fisher Chimneys route. The snow was softening a little now so we descended back into the basin and made the long trek back to Austin Pass. Near the pass my ass was dragging and Bryan was polite enough to wait for me to catch up several times.
We discussed our options. It was after 2pm and we had roughly 2 hours of light left. We slogged over to Huntoon Point and then finished off with Panorama Dome after the lifts closed. A good day begins at dawn and ends at dusk. We didn't see a soul all day long, south of Austin Pass.
Joined: 05 Mar 2011 Posts: 405 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA
Wed Nov 28, 2012 9:19 am
WOW! beautiful area! Specially with Bryan modeling, pictures came alive! I like how you get a perspective when there is someone in the picture, you can feel the grandness of the surroundings.
Bryan, nice video!
-------------- "I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. From where shall my help come. My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!" - David, King of Israel 1,000 BC
Joined: 16 Oct 2012 Posts: 653 | TRs | Pics Location: Custer, Whatcom County, WA
Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:18 am
Incredible snow scenes, both color and B&W! Thank you for sharing!
-------------- "We have one chance, one chance, to get everything right. We have one chance, one chance, and if we're lucky we might." One Chance, Modest Mouse
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