Northwest backcountry summer options

[Nature]

I will be traveling through the northwest for the next couple of weeks. Basically until my summer classes start on May 29th and was looking for some good tours. Preferably something I could do solo because i really don't know anybody out there who skis. I know Rainier and Adams are up there, but are they options for a solo ascent/descent? I really wanted to do something in the cascades since i was blown away at the access and terrain i saw when i was at crystal and alpental last winter. If anyone has any ideas or links where i could get some first hand knowledge it would be greatly appreciated. Especially if anybody knows of some good terrain that can be accessed off a road where i could leave my car for a couple of days cause i'm basically going to be living out of it and my tent for the next 4 weeks. Also if anybody knows where the best snowpack is around there this time of year. Thanx

[surfsnowywaves]

I don't know the mountains out there, BUT, heres what I do know. Check out www.turns-all-year.com . It's a backcountry community in the PNW. Cruise their forums, check out some of the mountains. Maybe if you're feeling adventurous, ask if any of them would love to show you around. I'm sure they gladly would.

[PWDR8S]

Up near Baker, there's a road end parking lot called Artist's Point or something like it... good place to base and move from there.

[pulverschwein]

Up near Baker, there's a road end parking lot called Artist's Point or something like it... good place to base and move from there.
That's actually located on the ski area - road opens after end of season. It's pretty low elevation (~4,500) and not in proximity to any glaciers. They've got a pretty good base now, so there might be some turns around there. Baker proper is heavily glaciated and not really a solo type endeavor.

Adams and St. Helens are nice b/c they have snowfields without glaciers and the attendant risks of crevasses. St. Helens is heavily regulated and many areas require poaching. Hood has skiing all summer - lift accessed and hiking, but the upper mountain has some glaciated terrain that you won't want to tackle without partner, equipment and training for glacier travel.

My pic would be Bend - one of my favorite places on earth. South Sister and Bachelor are there and they have some pretty good early summer options without glaciers / creavasses. Great camping abounds and you can do just many many fun activities. Here's some info on that area.
http://timefortuckerman.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6161&highlight=Bend

Have fun, take pics and post back, you lucky bastige.:D :envy:

[tig]

time to go:
http://www.skimountaineer.com/CascadeSki/CascadeSkiMonths.html

Mount Adams for eg:
http://www.skimountaineer.com/CascadeSki/CascadeSki.php?name=Adams

All routes, with difficulty beta on, and optimal ski windows in a normal winter, which they seem to have had..

[Bannick]

Lotsa snow at Baker this year.....lots of hiking to be done there in the coming weeks. They shut it this weekend. I think you may even be able to camp/park overnight in the heather meadows lots.

I too would say hit up bend/hood.....lots of fun....lots of snow....

Rainier offers some easy access hiked goods with snow fields as well....lots of people are up there when the weather is nice...only draw back this year is the road access is closed to paradise because of the glacial outburst in the fall...18" of rain in 36 hours....then it dumped like mad.

They are struggling to get things opened up again but there are other access points....best to check with the park web site for deets...

http://www.nps.gov/archive/mora/home.htm

Depending on how early you get there with a snowpack like they have right now you proly don't have to go to high to find decent snow. Just be smart and gather as much info as you can.

Wher is Ispoiler....he has tonnes of beta

[mike_ohio]

I was on Adams last July. The south side is a non technical climb/ski and is doable in a long day. Depending on the snow ths season you may or may not be able to drive to the campground at this time of the year. If you have to stop prior to the campground plan on adding a couple of miles to the route. I would caution that the road becomes very rough and rutted with blowdowns early in the spring. I would recommend staying in Hood River the days before and after the ski. HR is a very cool little windsurfing, climbing , mountain biking town with good local eats (with local microbrews).

Mike

[Some Good]

Haven't looked at it closely but this may be useful;

http://www.turns-all-year.com/index.html

[samthaman]

if your down for a truly wilderness experience check out Olympic national park, any of the peaks in the backcountry hold snow into august and i'm sure are looking great now.

[jumpturn]

If you drive out 80, lake tahoe, sonora pass, and tioga pass all access high terrain with skiable lines. Mammoth Lakes will probably still be operating, if it was a good year. Just ask questions on TGR.