[TR] Mount Baker - Watson Traverse 05/27/2019

[geosean]

Trip: Mount Baker - Watson Traverse

Trip Date: 05/27/2019

Trip Report:

 

Me, my buddies (Fred, Dylan, Max, Tim) and Josh (whom we met on route) did the Watson Traverse up and over Baker on Memorial Day. We left the Heliotrope trailhead at 4 am and arrived at Heather Meadows at 4 pm. It was a lot of work after skiing the Park Glacier, but a way cool route.

 

We summited at 10 am in blasting gusty conditions, but the Park was soft and buttery, pretty much perfect. The crevasses took some thought to navigate, but no real issues. On the miles of traversing I learned that you can skin without skins with sufficiently sticky snow by just switching to walk mode and keeping the angle moderate... pretty cool, and a lifesaver on this route.

 

Coleman Glacier skinning:

 

Kicking it on the summit:

 

Tim ripping the Park Headwall:

 

I wussed out and took the Cockscomb Ridge down a ways, though this doesn't lessen the angle, just the distance you ski 55 degrees above crevasses:

 

Park Headwall:

 

 

Somewhere west of Coleman Pinnacle:

 

You could see our tracks from as far as Artist Point, pretty rad:

 

Photo credit goes to Tim, Max, Fred, and Dylan. It was great skiing with everyone!

 

Gear Notes:
Ski mountaineering gear. Used axe and crampons. Running shoes.

Approach Notes:
Running shoes to the bottom of the Hogsback, then skis to Heather Meadows. Car shuttle.

Edited May 30, 2019 by geosean

[JasonG]

That's fast! 

Dwight would be tickled to know that this route has become popular.  It was one of his favorite adventures.  When he relayed the story of it to me in the 90's it was obvious the details were still fresh in his mind, nearly 60 years later.