Early morning flight tour of the North Cascades

This morning, Dunham Gooding (AAI Director) and Shawn Olson (Communications Coordinator) were treated to an hour-long flight tour of the North Cascades by pilot and AAI Backpacking Guide Jeff Ries (thanks Jeff!). Jeff wanted to check out an area (Copper Ridge and Whatcom Pass) that he was planning to guide during AAI's 5-day September Backpacking Program.

Dunham, Shawn, and Jeff met early this morning at Jeff's hanger in Lynden (30 minutes north of Bellingham), loaded up the plane, and started their tour by following the Nooksack River to Nooksack Cirque right below picturesque Mts. Shuksan, Ruth, and Icy. They were also treated to amazing views of Mt. Baker's Coleman and Roosevelt Glaciers. Jeff then headed toward the Northern Pickett Range, where Mt. Challenger, Mt. Fury, and Luna Peak dominated the sky space. From there, they flew to the south sides of Mts. Shuksan and Baker for some close up views - they even saw climbing teams on both mountains! It was a beautiful morning - the three couldn't have asked for a better day to fly.

Pilot: Jeff Ries
Photographer: Dunham Gooding

Heading out of Lynden, with the Nooksack River below.

Approaching Mt. Baker.

The west side of Mt. Shuksan, with the Upper and Lower Curtis Glaciers at the center and upper left.

The northwest side of Mt. Shuksanwith Nooksack Cirque (left), Nooksack Tower (left of center), and the Price Glacier (flowing down from the summit pyramid).

Mt. Fury, in the Northern Pickets.

Mt. Luna, also in the Northern Pickets, with the Southern Pickets in the distance.

Looking up Mt. Baker's Easton Glacier.

Looking down at the Easton.

Dunham Gooding (left) and Jeff Ries back at the hanger.

View more photos of this flight tour.