Sahale Mountain via the Doubtful Lake Gullies is one of the most scenic lines in the North Cascades of Washington. Once the road is melted out enough on Cascade Pass road it is one of the best easy access mountains around. With a semi mellow climb up the Sahale Arm and a few steep steps you have a sweeping view of the North Cascades and North Cascades National Park.
North Cascades of Washington
Mount Shuksan via the Northwest Couloir
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The Northwest Couloir on Mount Shuksan was a line I’d attempted to ride a few previous times. I have had to back off because of firm conditions as well as feeling uncomfortable with the snowpack. But after two days riding solid lines at the Mount Baker Splitboard Festival both Ben Starkey and I had gained confidence in the snowpack. Everything had lined up and this was our chance to go for a line I had been dreaming of for years.
Mount Baker Splitboard Festival
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The Mount Baker Splitboard Festival has become the biggest Splitboard event in the world. A time and place where like minded individuals migrate to the sleepy town of Glacier in Northern Washington. When March came around it was time to head up to Mount Baker ski area and get onto the skin tracks. Attempting to find good lines on one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Frisco Mountain in the North Cascades
Frisco Mountain is one of the numerous options off of Rainy Pass to the southeast. While it would be a great ski during Midwinter the road doesn’t open until mid April. With Highway 20 just opening we made our way up the road and set up camp next to the snowpack. After riding Black Peak the previous day we were looking for another option in the area. Studing the map we decided that Frisco Mountain would be a great option. We would get to check out some new mountains right from camp. Being a nice looking northwest face hopefully we would also get some good turns all the way back to Highway 20.
Black Peak via the South Face
Black Peak is one of the bigger lines off of Highway 20. At 8,975 feet it is the 20th highest Peak in Washington State. Being in close proximity from Rainy Pass it is popular with both hiker and skiers. With an open south face the drains towards Bridge Creek it is a great ski run. The north face runs towards Fisher Basin and is much more remote. With the opening of Highway 20 for the season Joe Bell and I decided to make our way north.
The Suiattle Traverse of the American Alps Part 3
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The Suiattle Traverse is a high route from Holden Village near Glacier Peak Wilderness to the White Chuck Road. Over 4 days this was the third part of a continuous traverse of the North Cascades from Highway 20 to Glacier Peak. Being the 11th day of our trip we had just finished both the Isolation Traverse and the Extended Ptarmagin Traverse. By now we were exhausted and racing against a forecast that promised rain for the foreseeable future. We had four solid days to complete the Suiattle Traverse and in the end finish off the American Alps Traverse. This section would link up Stevens Pass to the Sauk River to the South and the Pickets Traverse to the North. In the large scale this trip would tick off a huge chunk of our goal to traverse from Mount Rainier to Mount Baker.
Extended Ptarmagin Traverse American Alps Part 2
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The Extended Ptarmagin Traverse is a ski tour from Cascade Pass through Glacier Peak Wilderness to Holden Village over 7 days in Washington State. Traveling through the Cascade Crest it passes through some of the more isolated Mountains within the Cascades. While the standard Ptarmagin Traverse ends at Downey Creek this is an extension that reaches Railroad Creek. Roughly the route is around 45 miles with numerous climbs along the way. This was the second section of the American Alps Traverse and linked both the Isolation Traverse to the north and the Suiattle Traverse to the south. This route was pioneered by Lowell Skoog via Miners Ridge but we decided to make a different route heading through Bannock Lakes.
The Isolation Traverse American Alps Part 1
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The Isolation Traverse is a ski tour from Highway 20 in the North Cascades National Park to the Cascade River Road over 4 days in Washington State. Usually the trip starts at the Eldorado Trail Head we started at the Pyramid Lake Trail head as this was part 1 of the American Alps Traverse.
The Concept of the American Alps Traverse
The American Alps Traverse was something Jason Hummel had talked about over the years. Season after season we had gained experience doing ski traverses but this was something I would just laugh it off. It seemed like a mission beyond what I could/wanted to do as it entailed endless sidehilling, massive backpacks and bushwhacking. The stars would align in the Spring of 2014 with an email we both received from Forrest Mcbrian. With a subject stating “Let’s go for it guys” Jason was already hook in and kept trying to persuade me to join.
Soon enough I gave in and we set plans to head out in May. It wasn’t until 2 weeks before the trip that Forest bailed for a Ranger job on Denali and it was now just Hummel and I. The goal was to do a single push from Highway 20 to Glacier Peak following the Cascade Crest. The whole concept of it was created by Lowell Skoog many years before and attempted a few times but never done in its entirety.
The Nooksack Traverse over Mt. Shuksan
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The Nooksack Traverse is one of those trips you can’t get wrong. With the route being one long exposed avalanche path it must be done in stable conditions. Going from the White Salmon Glacier on Mount Shuksan to Ruth Mountain it’s surrounded in stunning scenery. Out of all the traverses I’ve done in the Cascades this is with direct ascents and fun descents. Though I had planned on doing the Nooksack Traverse for years I had to wait for the right conditions.
It would have to have soft snow yet be stable as the Nooksack Cirque is a long traverse. With that in mind we would also need 2 days of good weather as most of the route is in alpine. Patience was the game for ticking this traverse off but soon enough the stars aligned. It was time to drive up to Mount Baker Ski Resort and do this tour bordering North Cascades National Park.
The Watson Traverse from Mt. Baker to the resort
The Watson Traverse is a high alpine route from Mount Baker to the the Ski Resort. Starting at Glacier Creek it travels over 17 miles and 10,000 feet before ending at the Heather Meadows Parking lot. The high point of the route is Mount Baker with an ascent of the Coleman Glacier route before descending … Read more