The Northwest is sittin’ pretty after a series of massive snowstorms hit hard during the last two weeks of November. Cold temps and party sunny skies since then have made for plenty of epic early season powder days. Film crews and photographers from around the world have made their way to the legendary Mt. Baker to ride light snow on top of a 100+ inch base and bang out some big backcountry lines. With all this going on, deadlines had to be put on hold, as SNOWBOARD Editor-in-Chief Jeff Baker and I took the day off from the computers yesterday and got in on the action.
Finally I had a real photographer with me, as Jeff Baker brought along his little digi to document the day. The day started out early, with a 3:30 AM departure time from Portland. After grabbing Matt Collins in Olympia, we made it to Baker’s around 7...Baker’s house, not Baker the mountain. Then it was off to Baker (I know, it’s confusing), and we arrived to a nearly empty lot around 9:30. There was a freshly fallen few inches on a perfectly packed powder base—and it was all ours. Ours, and what seemed like about 50 other lucky riders scattered around the mountain, including super loc and issue 2.3 cover boy Nate Lind (pictured above) and Eric Jackson. Well, I guess technically he’s not exactly the “cover boy”…but his tracks sure are.
Remember that? One of my all-time favs. Nate reminisced about that amazing day last season, when it snowed so much the mountain had to be shut down! Not one to let a good powder day go to waste, Nate post-holed from the parking lot to the top of Hemis to get that lone line all to himself. Now that’s dedication.
Luckily yesterday was not that serious, as Baker’s chair 8 provided us all the transportation we would need to rip fresh lines like that all day long. There was literally nobody there, as we enjoyed line after line of first tracks down Baker’s steep, out of bounds terrain. That’s why Baker is the best—as long as you have a transceiver, pack and a shovel (and know how to use them), the “out of bounds” is all yours. Just be prepared to deal with it if you get into any trouble. Matt Collins dealing with things his way (above).
Matt and I about to drop into powder paradise.
After several hours of tearing up the lift-accessed terrain, a few riders started the post-holing up to the top. Instead, we opted to take the way around and nail first tracks down the Elf Chutes before any one beat us to it. Not like there isn’t plenty to go around, but hey, first tracks are fun.
Nate and Eric leading the way.
Sun breaks at Baker! Yeah, it happens once in a while.
Eric Jackson post-tree bonk.
Nate sizing up his line.
And going for it.
It was DEEP back there, and perfectly compressed underneath. Eric in the tube.
Baker even got one of me.
At the end of the day, it was straight to the lodge for Mt. Baker's famous salmon chowder bread bowls. Oh man...this is what it's all about.
Nate opted for the local's special instead: Ramen and a bagel out of his car. Nate and Eric headed back out for a sunset descent down Hemis, while Baker and I headed straight to the car to start the long journey home. At only day 3 for both of us this season, we're working on rebuilding those powder legs. It's still pretty chilly in the NW, so get up to Baker to enjoy the best riding around right now. Check out www.mtbaker.us for more information.
