ROUTE INFORMATION: Coleman Deming

Coleman-Deming - September 12, 2015

Climbing parties continue to find good conditions on Mount Baker.

The mountain has received fresh snow above 7500 feet.

Most parties are accessing the glacier by traversing westerly out of Hogsback Camps.

The USFS Climbing Ranger observations for September 12th, 2015 are as follows: Climbing parties continue to reach the summit of Mount Baker via the Coleman-Deming Route. From Hogsback Camps most parties are traversing westerly in order to avoid crevasses on the first section of the route and then cutting back toward Black Buttes. Hard blue glacier is exposed up to about 7500 feet and all parties should wear crampons while traveling on the glacier. The mountain has received some fresh snowfall in recent weeks with about 2-4 inches below the Coleman Saddle and as much as 12 inches of fresh snow on the summit. Between Black Buttes and the Coleman Saddle the route travels over many crevasses and all parties should assess the route carefully during their ascent and descent. Pumice Ridge and the rock band on the Roman Wall are both partially snow covered. Snow surfaces are firming up overnight and softening by midday.

Hogsback Camps is still snowfree with running water available. Please remember to camp at established tent pads only. Do not move rocks or impact vegetation around your campsite. Pack out all garbage and human waste using blue bags or another waste removal system. Lucky trails!

Coleman-Deming - August 3, 2015
The Climbing Ranger Observations for August 3rd, 2015 are as follows: The Coleman-Deming Route is seeing a lot of successful ascents in recent weeks. The route from Hogsback Camps currently traverses westerly towards Grouse Ridge to avoid crevasses on the first section of the route and then cuts back towards Black Buttes. Between Black Buttes and the saddle the route travels over many crevasses and all parties should assess snow bridges carefully during their ascent and descent. The icefall on Colfax Peak has been active in recent weeks and parties should avoid stopping beneath this hazard. There is a bergschrund just below the saddle that most parties are passing on the climber's left side. Pumice Ridge is fully melted out and the rock band on the Roman Wall is also exposed. Most parties have been getting over the rock band via a ramp on the climber's right side.

Hogsback Camps is completely snowfree and running water is readily available. Please remember to camp at established tent pads only and be careful not to impact fragile alpine vegetation. As always, follow Leave No Trace principles while visiting the Mount Baker wilderness. Pack out all garbage and human waste using blue bags or another waste removal system. Good luck and happy climbing!

Hogsback Camps is snowfree and the glacier is mostly bare ice below 7000'.

Most parties are passing a bergschrund below the saddle by going to the clmber's right.

There is a short, steep pitch of snow to get onto Pumice Ridge.

Assess snow bridges carefully during your ascent and descent.

The icefall on Colfax Peak has been active in recent weeks and parties should avoid stopping beneath this hazard.

Coleman-Deming - July 13, 2015

Crevasse at Colfax Debrix field.

Colfax icefall viewed from Colemam-Deming route.

The Coleman-Deming route has seen a lot of summits the past few weeks. All parties should rope up from Hogsback Camp because of crevasses and icy sections on the first section of the route. Icefall coming off Colfax Peak has been active in recent weeks and climbers should avoid stopping beneath this hazard. Parties have been observed passing around a large crevasse at about 8900' by going to the left and then ascending a steeper section - approximately 40 degrees - to pumice ridge. The rock band on the Roman Wall is melted out and the summit register on Grant Peak is awaiting your entries. Always assess snow bridges carefully and make sure to get an early start on your summit day to avoid being on the glacier in midday heat.

Hogsback Camp is free of snow. Running water is available. Please camps on established tent pads only. As always, pack out all garbage and human waste using blue bags or another waste removal system. Help us keep Mt. Baker clean. Happy climbing!

Coleman-Deming - June 28, 2015

Heliotrope Ridge Trail is snowfree and in good condition to Hogsback and Harrison Camps. All tent pads are dry and running water is readily available at these camps. Please remember to camp on established tent pads and respect other visitors.

Many visitors have climbed the Coleman-Deming route in the past few weeks. The route that most parties are using at this time passes through a section of crevasses at about 6500' above Hogsback Camps and below Black Buttes. Between 8500' and 9000' the route passes through another section of significant crevasses and also travels beneath a section of hanging ice on Colfax Peak. This section has been active recently thanks to warm temperatures and all climbing parties should avoid stopping here. Pumice Ridge is still partly snow covered and the rock band on the Roman Wall is partially melted out. The summit register on Grant Peak is melted out and awaiting your entries.

As always, please remember to follow Leave No Trace principles while visiting Mount Baker. Use blue bags or another waste collection system to pack out all human waste and garbage. Blue bags are available for free at the USFS Public Service Centers in Glacier and Sedro Woolley. Help us keep Mount Baker pristine. Thank you and happy climbing!