Mt. Ann is located beside Mt. Shuksan in the glorious Mt. Baker ski resort backcountry. Mt. Ann has been on my radar for a few years, but I never had the window to try it. So, big reveal, I haven't skied Mt. Ann yet. We all know what the conditions are like. Dubious! But Mt. Ann is largely above treeline and north facing. So, it might be spot on conditions. Or it might be crap. The theme of this trip is exploration, ski touring, and maybe get a few turns in. It might be a ski hike to Lake Ann. I'm okay with that, and hopefully you will be as well.

Needless to say, this trip may be postponed or canceled, pending on the weather and avalanche risk. In addition, if the route looks horrendous, we could opt for a day shredding the Shuksan Arm or bouncing around Artist Point to Hermann Saddle.

I am a moderate/intermediate skier (I cut my teeth trying to telemark in the Canadian Rockies), meaning I can get down 30 degree plus stuff if the snow is good, but slow down a fair amount in bad conditions. I like to think I can survival ski most things. I have been skiing the Coast Mountains for about 9 years on an AT set up (failing horribly at telemarking). I have taken my AST2, and have participated in several beacon practices. My pace is moderate, meaning we'll get to the top, but I won't be breaking any records. I've been up Round Mountain and Mulligan a few times this season, and I'm down for busting out and giving the day a try irrespective of the gloomy snow conditions (a useful attribute this season!).

You are a moderate or better backcountry skier. You should be able to connect a few turns and move at a good pace on the up and down track. This isn't your first backcountry ski trip, and some familiarity with backcountry terrain would be an asset. You have AST1 or some avalanche education equivalent (thems the rules!), and are ready to participate in the organization of the trip. Wanna go hard and fast? This might not be the trip for you unless you are cool with dialling it back a bit. But, I will try to screen and select people that seem to mesh in fitness and skill.

This is a day trip, so plan accordingly. Headlight and avalanche rescue equipment is a must. This objective involves international travel, so don't forget your passport/visa and some travel insurance. No park pass necessary. Let's go shred! Or survival ski on the Creme Brûlée crud! Whatever!

Ski crampons are likely warranted. I'm undecided on crampons/axe, and I hope this is something we can all discuss. The top section is a steep bootpack, so seems likely? Or we can agree on sticking to the slopes below, and not summiting.

See "Exploring the Coast Mountains on Skis (Baldwin) for more details on Mt. Ann. The snow report on https://www.mtbaker.us/snow-report/ is a great and usually entertaining daily read. I encourage participants to engage in the trip planning, particularly as I haven't done this route.

Meeting time and place: East Guildford Park and Ride, 6AM. Carpooling can be discussed in the forum.

 Mt Ann in good conditions. Is that dry powder? Or dinner plate crust? Come on down and find out!