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Report Type 
Mini
Peak(s)  Mt. Helen  -  13,186 feet
Date Posted  04/14/2014
Modified  04/14/2015
Date Climbed   04/04/2014
Author  cmcquade
 Mt. Helen - East Face   
Kristin and I took advantage of a nice April refresh and headed to the Ten Mile Range, looking to head up Mt Helen's east face. The snow coverage was impressive and allowed for a long 2700' descent from the summit proper. We shared the summit with about two dozen mountain goats who followed us up the NE ridge.

Mt. Helen has easy access and provides relatively safe winter turns and if you are lucky enough to find the upper portion of the broad east face well covered it provides approx 2800 vertical feet of skiing. For those splitboarders out there it is also easy to ride all the way back to the car


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Mt. Helen ( broad face left of center) as seen from across Goose Pasture Tarn, after our tour. We soaked up the sun all tour right until we arrived back to the truck to enjoy our snow cold beers, then the clouds started to roll in.

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Curious fellas, these guys seemed to be the bravest of the bunch. As far as I could find there had only been one attack/death from a mountain goat. Once they got about 6 feet from me I got out of my crouch and started walking towards them and they slowly started backing away.

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Almost too close for comfort

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Ahh spring skiing Dont forget your skin wax

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Looking west from Mt. Helen at Father Dyer Pk. and Crystal Pk.


For more pics and info click -- East Face Descent & Mountain Goat Herding - Mt Helen



Comments or Questions
BillMiddlebrook
User
Mt. Helen
4/18/2014 6:15pm
Nice! We skied it a few days later with a foot of fresh powder. Wonderful

Mt. Helen rarely disappoints.


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