Mt. Baker is for the People

I’ve been in Bellingham, Washington for almost a year now, and have been growing very fond of being so close to Mount Baker. From a snowboarders’ standpoint, Mount Baker is the backbone for all of our snow addictions. Though there happens to be much more to that inviting pow face than people think. For example, I bet most people don’t even realize that the actual resort of Baker is on the Shuksan arm rather than on Mount Baker. I’ve been riding here in the past before I moved up and had somewhat of a clue on what she was about, but after this last year, I never thought i’d get to know a mountain as well as I have. Going up every week this winter has helped me out a lot with my stress levels from school and work as well as getting my fix from the unlimited amount of snow there is to be slashed.

Anyway, I just thought that I’d help people out by explaining to them some helpful information at Baker that could be potentially useful for one’s enjoyment or safety. I’ve decided to break up knowledgeable information in the given categories:

1. Winter/summertime activities
2. Mountain safety
3. Trail guide/tips

Winter/Summertime Activities

In the winter, there are is the obvious snowboarding and skiing involved, though there’s more besides that. People often take their snow-machines out and cruise around in the backcountry, finding new faces and untouched snow all around. This part also comes along with the snow-shoers and tourers. Touring is simply a way for skiers, and even snowboarders now due to split-boards, to go off the normal route and get to wherever the destination is at a faster speed than boot packing (hiking). And then of course the ice and rock climbing. I’ve yet to spend the summer up here yet, so I conducted a short interview with one of my roommates Burk, to get some local background of first-hand experience. I ask Burk before he leaves the house what he would do when he would go up to Baker in the summer since he stayed up here last year. I proceed and got the response of, “A ton of mountain biking. It’s wild how much pedal room there is. You end up flying down the hill with the craziest adrenaline rush of your life!” (Burk, Tyler). I haven’t experienced much mountain biking, but from what Burk tells me it sounds pretty sick. More activities include hiking, hammocking, and nature watching. It’s pretty hard to get bored anytime of year at the mountain.

http://www.alpineinstitute.com/media/48068/lot_hike_baker.jpg

Mountain Safety

Mount Baker isn’t all shits and gigs like i’ve brought it up to be. There actually is heaviness that goes down in which it will always help out to be prepared. For one, there are creeks all over the place. With lack of snow they are easy to spot, but when it’s all covered in snow, they can be trickier to notice, which then becomes a potential hazard for snowboard/skiers and people exploring/touring. Another major aspect of winter/summer danger includes avalanches and landslides. Both of these can be natural and/or man-made, so it becomes vital when up there to be conscious and aware of your surroundings. The mountain can be fatal and can catch anyone off guard. That’s why the buddy system is important as well as packing extra items (clothing, food, water, cell phone, etc..)

http://cdn.coresites.factorymedia.com/mpora_new/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Screen-Shot-2014-12-04-at-13.03.41.png

Trail Guide/ tips

When it comes to the resort on Mt. Baker, trail maps are provided all over the place; they make it convenient for people to navigate. There are eight lifts that connect the groomed trails and lodges for the winter warriors. For the summer hikers, there are trails all over the place to various scenic areas. You can go peak to peak from Baker to Shuksan and have an unlimited amount of viewpoints to see the the Cascades. It’s nuts how vast and big the exploration area is and how much ground has been untouched.

Some tips I would give would be take the drive slow (in winter at least), due to road sketchiness. Alway bring extra supplies, as well as a buddy or two. Do not go in unmarked zones without being aware and prepared for potentially dangerous situations. Also if new to the mountain, it’s always easier and more comforting going with a local, or someone familiar.

http://www.mtbaker.us/files/3814/4165/8995/MBSA_1516_TrailMap.jpg

http://www.mt-baker.com/images/hwy542.jpg

Baker definitely is a place to have a good time in the winter or summer and get down with physical activity. It can get serious as there has been various deaths throughout the years, but as long as people are using their senses and following the buddy system, it should be a positive time to remember!

Works Cited

Burk, Tyler. “Baker in the Summer.” Personal interview. 18 Apr. 2016.

“Mt. Baker Ski Area :: Groups :: Trail Map.” Mt. Baker Ski Area :: Groups :: Trail Map. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2016.