North Cascade Heli-Skiing Yurt
Indiana Basin, North Cascades
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| There is a noted absence of backcountry huts
or lodges in the Northwest. With our abundant snowfall and sometimes
difficult access, an extended ski trip into the backcountry
makes perfect sense. The trick is doing it in comfort. North
Cascade Heli-Skiing has a yurt north of Harts Pass that provides
some incredible touring with the creature comforts of a backcountry
hut. NCMG is running a 4 day Level 2 avalanche course out of
this location this year on February 1 - 4, 2008. |
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The yurt is 30 feet in diameter and is set up to sleep
10. There is a wood stove and propane stove for heat,
a propane cookstove, well stocked kitchen, propane lights
and both single and queen size bunks.
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| The yurt sits smack in the middle of
some awesome ski touring terrain. While most of the terrain
is fairly moderate, there are some steep, rugged slopes
for those looking to challenge themselves. The peak directly
above the yurt is called Tamarack and can be skied on
almost all aspects. |
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| Directly across from the yurt is the
popular run B1 (short for Be One with Your Run). Here
Paul skis B1 just as the sun sets. |
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| The yurt is just out of the photo at
the bottom right. One can clearly see all of the ski terrain
nearby. |
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| The touring is quite enjoyable with long
winding ridges that allow access to a variety of aspects.
Here skiers tour up Tamarack peak with B1 in the background. |
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| To the North there is some radical terrain
right off the top of Tamarack peak. Here Paul Butler drops
into his line while Ken looks on. |
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| Ken skis an a steep, aggressive line
on the North side of Tamarack. |
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| Looking into the basin on the North side
of Tamarack, two sets of ski tracks stand out on the ridge
in the center of the photo. |
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| The views of the North Cascades from
this area are much different from those around Washington
Pass and afford a unique perspective on many of the peaks
in North Cascades National Park. |
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| Here Ken drops off of the top of Tamarack
heading down toward the yurt. |
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| Here is a view looking down the main
run off of Tamarack as Paul descends. |
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| In addition to the main run from the
summit of Tamarack, there are miles of ridges to the West
that offer some great touring and awesome skiing. Here
Paul tours toward Tam 2 with tracks from the summit of
Tamarack in the background. |
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