stever Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kameron Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 On 2/26/2024 at 8:55 AM, stever said: 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? Yes! We are about 1.5 months ahead of the usual time when access to the volcanoes becomes doable. The coverage on the Baker glaciers above 7k feels "okay". These glaciers also melted a lot last summer... the ice features are changing surprising amounts year-year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever Posted April 17 Author Share Posted April 17 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choada_Boy Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 Statewide Drought Declaration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever Posted Monday at 03:45 PM Author Share Posted Monday at 03:45 PM 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" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted Monday at 05:52 PM Share Posted Monday at 05:52 PM Another link to the declaration in case you ran into a paywall: https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024-news-stories/april-16-drought-declaration#:~:text=In Washington%2C drought is declared,water right permits and transfers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever Posted Wednesday at 03:24 PM Author Share Posted Wednesday at 03:24 PM July/Aug for the north ridge by foot (not skis) may be best this year May/June? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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