The Northwest Couloir on Mount Shuksan was a line I’d attempted to ride a few previous times. I have had to back off because of firm conditions as well as feeling uncomfortable with the snowpack. But after two days riding solid lines at the Mount Baker Splitboard Festival both Ben Starkey and I had gained confidence in the snowpack. Everything had lined up and this was our chance to go for a line I had been dreaming of for years.

Heading for the NW Couloir of Mount Shuksan

We made it up to the Mount Baker ski resort parking lot as the sun started to rise. While most people were sleeping off what would become a hangover we were about to get our alpine on. We knew it was going to be a long day so we wanted to take advantage of every hour of daylight.

Looking at Mount Shuksan we hoped the snow would be as good as previous days. Our intention was to ride the couloir on the mid left side of the photo below.

The Approach via the White Salmon Glacier

There was already a skin track as we raced up the White Salmon glacier. Soon we had made our way onto the upper slopes of Mount Shuksan. We had made a great pace as we would occasionally look back towards Mount Baker and the ski area backcountry.

Soon we were on top of the Hanging Glacier and making our way over to the drop in point. From what we could tell the snow seemed solid as it wasn’t wind affected. Everything was going super smooth and we hoped to keep on that track.

Since we wouldn’t be making it to the true summit anyways we wrapped above the NE side of the Hanging Glacier. It was time to strap in and go for the Northwest Couloir on Mount Shuksan.

Riding onto the hanging glacier we found great quality turns. The snow was deep enough but not to deep to fear for avalanches being super responsive. If we could make it through the crux than all would be good below.

The Crux of the Trip

Riding down I kept an ice axe out as the entrance leaves no room for mistakes. It quickly becomes a steep and exposed area where a fall could turn out fatal. I wanted to be prepared for a self arrest with the axe ready before getting into the sketchy area.

Soon we made our way to the entrance of the chute. 200 feet below us was a steep traverse that would give us access to the main line. A turn at a time we cautiously made our way down.

Since Ben would be doing the traverse on his toe side edge he went first. I waited on the side of the slopes in cause a random slide would come which would sweep me off the cliffs below.

Carefully Ben made his way across snapping this photo of the drop below and the uninterrupted Northwest couloir of Mount Shuksan. When he was on the other side and in a safe spot he yelled for me to go.

Snowboarding Down the Northwest Couloir

I made my way across slowly as his traverse had brushed off the snow leaving the area a bit firm. Soon I was on the other side and breathing relaxed. From here on out it was the easy part as I put my ice axe away. It was time to ride as we charged down the slope.

One at a time we would ride the 4000 foot line with the first 3000 being at a steep and consistent pitch. One of us would drop down a few hundred feet than traverse to a safe spot. The most important thing was to ride the line safely so that is what we did.

Making it to the bottom of the Northwest Couloir on Mount Shuksan we were super happy. It was a line taking years to tick off and our patience had paid off. We found both good and stable snow on the whole face. Soon afterwards we were riding through old avalanche debris and making our way to the final boot pack up old growth forest to the ski resort.

Looking back we couldn’t help but smile. It was a great day and everything had gone smooth. Though I had rode Shuksan a few times before this specific line had been a challenge to get in comfortable conditions.

Soon it was time to pack up and say goodbye to a great weekend celebrating the Mount Baker Splitboard Festival. We had 3 solid days of riding the backcountry and the Northwest Couloir on Mount Shuksan was the icing on the cake. Huge thanks to Ben for being a solid partner throughout the years and everyone that was involved in the festival in one way or another.

If you enjoyed this ski tour and are interested in more trip reports near Mount Baker and off Highway 542 make sure to check out this comprehensive break down of what backcountry lines are out there