stever

July/Aug for the north ridge by foot (not skis) may be best this year May/June?

Oh wow... "Seasonal snowfall of 430 inches at the Mt. Baker Ski Area in 2023-24 was among the lowest since records started being kept there in 1970-71"

Thanks for the reply. I saw a post on FB someone saying ID on Rainier is out already this year "...at 13,000' where I was met with a massive bergshrund that extended from the Emmons Glacier almost to Gibraltar Rock." Facebook link

As someone not local to WA state (I'm from Vancouver, BC) - I'm curious to hear opinions on the snowpack (or lack thereof) this year and how it compares to other drier years...will routes on Rainier, Shuksan and Baker have an earlier and shorter "prime" season before the glacier travel gets complicated? Have been thinking about N Ridge of Baker since the road has been repaired, as well as a route on Shuksan or Rainier, but I fear the lack of snow this year will impact the flexibility of trip planning with a shorter season, or forcing complex glacier travel and more calf burning bare ice?

Interesting... I have not seen this website before

I’m wondering what you have found to be the most reliable or accurate weather forecast or weather model for the Alpine lakes and north cascades? I have been looking at the National weather service (linked from mountain project), SpotWX (3.5day NAM) Mountain weather, yr.no, and meteoblue… and they are usually quite different. I went to Washington Pass two weeks ago, and they varied widely from 20/30%-60% rain or Tstorms. Sure enough we got rain and hail ahead of schedule. Now I’m trying to be more conservative this time, I’ve been looking for a weather window for Stuart and want to get closer to perfect conditions… this weekend mountain forecast showed minimal to no rain (best case) whereas Spotwx and Meteoblue showed up to 60% rain and Tstorms. Can anyone with more experience with this area offer some advice or which weather forecast/model is generally more reliable? I understand that they are never going to be perfect, but I’d like to be more comfortable with the go/no go choice!

Has anyone been up NW Butt on Chair recently? wondering how the weather has affected the route since the last report

I have a Bibler fitzroy if you're interested

Any photos?

Any guesses on how long this route will stay in (without a headache of crevasse navigation like later in the summer)? I was hoping to do it in July this year...

Perfect - Thanks Chris!

Where is the rocky right variation in this photo? to the right of the climbers bag?

Hope I don't catch too much shit for digging this up... I have a near new pair of Freney XT I am trying to make work on my foot How do these boots compare, size wise (and where) compared to the Nepal EVO? I have the Nepal EVO as well, and it fits me well, but the scarpa I get heel lift, even with orthotics and using several overhand knots as I lace the boots. Anyone remember these boots?

What do you have remaining?

Thanks for the info! We went for it but didn't know about the advanced permit vs first come first serve. We arrived 7:30am Saturday and all 6 permits for this side were taken. We camped at Lake Anne, made for a long day 2. Unfortunately didn't do the SE ridge because I was concerned about wet rock after some rain and the summit pyramid being in the fog the entire morning until 7-8am or so. However if we waited till later in the morning we could have done it, by the time we topped out of the gully a guide and client had done the ridge, leaving at 8am from the base. They encountered wet rock