We were warned that this was going to be a "La Nina" winter, and now it’s happened again! By mid-January, Mt. Baker was deluged with the largest base snow depth—216 inches at the top—of any of our nation’s ski areas in a single season. Of course, the WORLD RECORDS for both seasonal total snowfall and snowfall for one winter season were already broken last May! And snow has been falling continuously since the New Year.

So what gives us the snowiest mountain in the world?

Snowfall is normally heavy in the Cascades this time of year because west-to-east planetary circulation brings storms to the Pacific Northwest every few days. Wet air crossing the Pacific hits the Cascade Range in abundance. And, with freezing levels at about 4,000 feet during the winter months, it only takes small increases in elevation for snowfall to increase greatly. This season’s extra low freezing levels and La Nina have made it all worse.

What to do with all this snow?

There’s more than the popular activities—alpine skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. Consider snowshoeing, or hike along the Nooksack River and its many tributaries; eagle watch along the lower river; visit spectacular Nooksack Falls; or fish for winter steelhead.

Backcountry at Baker

If you’re thinking of trekking into the outer regions, however, think carefully. A friend who climbed last year with a trusted professional guide, said they had just stepped to the side for a few minutes’ rest—when an enormous avalanche thundered by, missing them by moments. He says it’s a miracle they’re alive.

The backcountry area outside of the Mt. Baker Ski Area boundaries is public land, but in order to reduce the potential for serious injury, dangerous rescue operations and tragedy, an increased emphasis on the existing backcountry policy has just gone into effect. If you leave the Mt. Baker Ski Area boundary into the backcountry or re-enter it from the backcountry, you must have all of the following or lose your ski area privileges: (1) Avalanche transceiver and demonstrated ability to use it. (2) A partner. (3) A shovel. (4) Knowledge of the terrain and your route. (5) Avalanche knowledge. (6) Knowledge of local avalanche conditions. In addition, be sure that you: (1) Know this winter's snowpack layers; (2) Know the past three days’ snowfall and type; (3) Know the current NW Avalanche Center forecast; and (4) Know that day's weather forecast (snowfall, temperature and visibility).

You might consider taking Whatcom County Parks’ class, Avalanche Awareness for the Backcountry Traveler offered in February. Call (360) 733-2900 if interested.

Enjoy—but be careful!

Love local lore? You can learn about the area’s history, anecdotes and lore in the recently released Reflections from the Heart of a Small Community: Mt. Baker Foothills & Maple Falls Schools from 1889 to 1999. This collection of photos and memories spanning 110 years is a beautiful, award-winning effort by five local women who originally just wanted to do a memory book for the Maple Falls School. They were going to charge $7 a copy and asked people for reflections and memories. They ended up, however, with such a vast collection that the final price had to be raised to $29.95. It is well worth it. So impressive is it, in fact, that the Senate is honoring the work with a special resolution on February 9. The 1,600 copies are going fast, so get yours soon from Maple Fuels in Maple Falls or at Village Books in Bellingham.

Websites: (1) Road Conditions: http://traffic.wsdot.wa.gov/sno-info/ (2) The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/ (3) Weather, avalanche, pass and ski conditions: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/weather/weather_home.htm. (4) General info: Mt-Baker.com.

And, of course, stay tuned to Northwest Events & Lifestyle Review. We’ll never snow you.