Any mountaineer who has intimate knowledge of the Cascades knows of at least one mountain that invokes fear. A mountain full of near-vertical faces, glaciers covered in seracs, crevasses and schrunds and an abundance of cliffs everywhere. For every dream of majestic open slopes, there is a nightmare hiding in the shadows. To me Goode Mountain was that nightmare.
The Ulrich’s Couloir on Mount Stuart is one of those Cascade Classic backcountry lines. Being a continuous 4’200 foot south facing run it is both aesthetic and fun. Being the second tallest non volcanic peak in the Cascades and isolated to the eastern side its view alone rivals most other peaks. With a forecast that called for a bit of snow before clearing up in late April there was a chance to get powder on the line. Knowing this Jason Hummel and I were off on a drive to the Eastern Side to attempt to ride the Ulrich’s Couloir.
Bonanza Peak is the biggest non volcanic mountain within the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Located near the head of Railroad Creek it’s main access is via Holden Village. It has two main drainage’s which are both to the East and to the North and is located in Glacier Peak Wilderness. Although it is a massive and complex mountain with potential on every aspect the area is relatively quiet. We had arrived in Holden Village in Mid April with the plans to ride both Bonanza Peak and Mount Fernow. Being that we had rode Fernow two days previously or attention had switched to the highest peak around.
Mount Stuart is one of the more stunning peaks within the Washington Cascades. On the North side it is near a vertical descent down to Mountaineers Creek while the south side it is covered in chutes that drop 4,200 feet to Ingalls Creek. Being early in the spring my friend Boot and I decided to head in for a run down the Cascadian Couloir. It was our hope that heading in late March we could potentially find powder snow. The plan would be a long single day push but if everything turned out right it would be a great day.
Our plan was to head into the North Cascades and pull off something big but the weather had other plans.
Mt. Shuksan is a mountaineers dream with each side having a uniquely separate personality. With high freezing levels and a promising forecast Dan and myself decided to head for the north side and hopefully ride something big.
Crater Mountain is situated just east of Ross Lake and dead center in the North Cascades. This area which is found in the Hozameen Range. The top of Crater Mountain holds two separate summits which until recently housed a fire look. From the high point this area has some best views of the North Cascades. With names like the Picket Range, Jack Mountain and Goode Mountain surrounding its landscape one can see why little attention is paid to this peak from a skiing perspective.
The Squak Glacier is located on the southeast slopes of Mount Baker. Being connected to the Easton Glacier it is popular for summer skiing. Being a high glacier it is possible to have good skiing late into August. Starting at 6,000 feet it runs all the way to the summit of Sherman Peak 4,000 feet. There is a lot of snowmobile activity Mid winter. Once the Park Butte trailhead melts out it is primarily used by skiers and climbers. Being connected to the high point of the North Cascades it offers great views and turns.
Robinson Mountain in the Okanogan Range is rugged but beautiful backcountry ski. While only five hours away from Seattle this area provides massive rugged mountain. The area is sitting in some of the most isolated wilderness within Washington. With a topographical map and an old climbers trail I was nervous. I was running solo into … Read more
Abernathy peak can be found right outside of Winthrop on the Eastern Border of the North Cascades. On the very edge of the Washington Cascades this dynamic range rises to over 8,500 feet. Finding mellow and aggressive lines being abundant from the summit Abernathy, this zone was the perfect place to go for a ski … Read more
Cardinal Peak is the high point of the Chelan Mountains and an isolated area within the North Cascades. Bordered on the west with the Entiat Range and to the East by Lake Chelan it’s a scenic area without many people. The closest town is the ferry accessed Holden Village but it is mainly accessed via the Entiat River Road with a turnoff on the north fork.