Past Activity

Mount Baker

Start date: 06/25/2017
Start time: 12:00 AM
End date: 06/28/2017
End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Notes:
1. Climb date may be adjusted to accommodate weather conditions. Planning on leaving Sunday, June 25th and returning Wednesday, June 28th.
2. Leader has not previously climbed Mt. Baker. Route-finding will be a team effort.
3. This is a Grade II glaciated route - Previous roped travel, experience with crampons, crevasse rescue training, and/or demonstrated ability on climbs involving strenuous approaches is required. Contact leader if you have questions.

Day 1: Drive to Heliotrope Ridge Trailhead. Spend night at trail head. Day 2: Hike 4 hours to base camp at 6,000’ to 7,000’. Practice crevasse rescue techniques. Day 3: Base camp to summit via Coleman Glacier and then back to trailhead. 10 to 15 hours travel time. Day 4: Drive back. Depending on how we feel, we may drive partway or all the way on Day 3.

Event Leader: Roy McCormick
Event Leader Phone: 541-543-1249
Event Leader Email: romick1@comcast.net
Assistant Leader: Bob Kaminski
Event category: Climbs
Area Type: Mountain
Departure Location: See Trip Description
Rating:
Roundtrip total drive miles: 810
Season: 2017
Permits Required:
- Wilderness Area
- NW Forest Pass
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required: Climbing Gear: Crampons & compatible boots, helmet, ice ax, harness, (2) locking ‘biners, (3) prusiks of various lengths, belay device, rescue pulley(s), shovel Food & Water: Food for 2-1/2 days plus extra emergency food, trail snacks, 2 liters of water plus water treatment system. Other Gear: Extra clothes for all conditions, including rain gear, camping gear, headlamp & extra batteries, compass, hat, sunblock, lip balm, sunglasses, gaiters. Camping Gear: Including tent (or bivy bag), sleeping bag & pad, stove & enough fuel to cook and melt snow
participant prerequisites:
Conditions:
Total Distance: 11
Member Fees: 3
Elevation Gain: 7100
Non-Member Fees: 15
Committee: Climbs
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Our assistant trip leader Bob Kaminski had to cancel at the last moment due to a family emergency so the three of us met in Portland for the long drive north. Sunday night was spent at Douglas Fir CG (USFS) practicing glacier travel techniques and discussing the climbing route. We left from the Heliotrope trailhead around 09:30 on Monday and set up camp on a flat area of the Coleman Glacier at 6,900' that afternoon. This climb differed from others I've been on by spending some time acclimating and resting before the summit push. I think it made for a more enjoyable adventure.

Tuesday was a long day. Starting from our camp at 04:25 and reaching the summit around 09:15 via the Coleman-Deming route. Several crevasses were open around 8,000' but easily circumnavigated and a well worn boot track led to the 10,781' summit. We returned to the car around 16:00 and were enjoying dinner at Graham's Restaurant in glacier by 17:00 before our long drive back to Oregon. All three participants summited without incident. Having strong, knowledgeable, well prepared participants made leading this climb a breeze. There are some photos posted on www.obsidians.org