Camp on the Coleman Deming Route of Mount Baker. Photo: Doug Bernard
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North Cascades Backcountry Skiing Conditions Update
2024-06-11 | Mt Shuksan & Mt Baker
Lead Blackbird Mountain Guide and AMGA Ski Guide, Doug Bernard, just returned from guiding a solid week ski mountaineering in the North Cascades. He found excellent conditions and sent us this report. Time to get after it!
Sunset from camp on Mount Baker during a guided ski trip on the Coleman Deming and Thunder Glacier. Photo: Doug Bernard
Mt Baker, June 8-10, 2024 | Coleman Demming, Thunder Glacier, Black Cliffs
Just down from 3 days on the North Side of Baker. Went in on Saturday 8 June and came out today (10 June). Conditions were excellent above 7k with weather better than expected and an overnight freeze each night. Skied the Coleman, Demming, and the entry into the Thunder Glacier in addition to smaller slopes along the Black Cliffs.
- Put on skis at 4790' and were able to ski from there, and had good skiing all the way back down.- Surface conditions were supportable above 7k each day with a freeze each night, though they deteriorated rapidly after 10:00 and aspects that took more solar input became punchy quickly.- Skiing off the summit was firm at 11:00 on Sunday, but softened up quickly after the initial headwall and was excellent down the Demming to 8200'. The west aspect off of the ridge (previously slid) was extremely firm.- Travel on skins (using ski crampons) on the frozen surface was easy above our camp at 7k, surfaces below that were soft and parties were observed postholing knee deep as they exited from mid day on.- Observed ice fall from all aspects (both Coleman and Colfax), and some natural wet loose up to D1, especially on steeper solars.- Echoing Jere, the crack does seem to be developing on the Colfax icefall, and appeared to have gotten bigger in the time we skied up and down on Saturday. We observed icefall from below it as we skied up.
See More Photos from this guided ski trip on Mt Baker Below.
The summit of Mt Shuksan during a guided backcountry ski trip on the Sulphide Glacier on Mt Shuksan. Photo: Doug Bernard
Mt Shuksan, June 6-7, 2024 | Sulphide Glacier
Just down off of Shuksan via the Sulphide. We skied from 6500’ camp around summit, coming back up the Hourglass. Touchy Avalanche Conditions with small, loose wet avalanches were observed in lower elevations - keep an eye on where you're at as the day warms! Here's the summary of ski conditions on Mt Shuksan's Sulphide Glacier:
-Skiable from 4300’-Ski Pen above tree line to 6300’ 10-20cm after 1:00pm both days-Wet loose up to D1.5 were easy to trigger on traverses and ski cuts below 6000’.-Hard freeze above 6500’ last night (6 June)-Firm conditions in AM, south aspects (Sulphide and Crystal) but softened by 10 and able to skin without ski crampons after that.-Hanging Glacier and Upper Curtis were firm but skiable.-The Hourglass did not have a boot pack.-Ski quality was excellent but getting soft by 1200 on return to camp.- Toilet not visible, still buried in snow
Several parties climbed the summit of Mt Shuksan today, and one skier reported good conditions from the summit.
Photos from Mt Baker Coleman Deming Guided Ski Trip
The Coleman Deming Route on Mount Baker during a guided ski trip. Our teams skied the Coleman Glacier, Thunder Glacier and Black Cliffs. Photo: Doug Bernard
A ski mountaineer climbs above the corniced Pumice Ridge on Mt Baker during a 5 Day Guided North Cascades Ski trip on Mount Baker and Mt Shuksan. Photo: Doug Bernard
The hanging serac on Colefax Peak looms above the Coleman Deming route on Mount Baker. Each year, tens of thousands of pounds of ice threated the climbing route. This is one of the many hazards that ski mountaineering guides manage for their climbers. Photo: Doug Bernard
Great backcountry skiing was had on our guided ski trip on Mount Baker. Supportable snow made for fun, consistent surfaces. Photo: Doug Bernard
Photos from Mt Shuksan Sulphide Glacier Guided Ski Trip
Skinning Mt Shuksan during a guided north Cascades ski mountaineering trip. Photo: Doug Bernard
Camp on the Sulphide Glacier of Mt Shuksan during a guided north Cascades ski mountaineering trip. Photo: Doug Bernard
Hell's Highway from the Upper Curtis Glacier on Mt Shuksan during a guided north Cascades ski mountaineering trip. Photo: Doug Bernard
Enjoying magnificent views on Mt Shuksan during a guided north Cascades ski mountaineering trip. Mount Baker is looking well covered in the background. Photo: Doug Bernard
About the Author
Doug Bernard (right), pictured on the summit of Mt Baker, is an AMGA Ski Guide and lead guide for Blackbird Mountain Guides in the North Cascades.
Doug Bernard is an AMGA Certified Ski Guide, climber, adventurer, American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Course Leader, American Avalanche Association professional member, and military veteran. Doug began his lifelong love of adventuring and building friendships in the mountains at a young age in his hometown of Ketchum, Idaho. Working towards guide certification with his friends and mentors in the guide community has allowed Doug to turn his passion for teaching and sharing experiences in the mountains into a profession. Throughout his life, the mountains have always played an integral role in providing experiences and building friendships as Doug pursued challenge, mastery, stoke, and connection. Doug’s personal and professional work have allowed him the good fortune to ski and climb on five continents. In his spare time, you can find him in the mountains with friends.
Doug Holds the following certifications:
- AMGA Certified Ski Guide
- AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide
- A3 American Avalanche Association Professional Member
- WFR (Wilderness First Responder)