"Last weekend Colin and I were working on plans to climb something in the Olympics when I received an invite through NW Hikers to join a group of 3 who were headed for Mount Ann. The two of us had never been hiking so far North, and Mount Baker was obscured by clouds during my only trip in the area, so we changed plans with little discussion. This was our first time teaming up with someone from NW Hikers. That and the thrill of venturing into new territory added more than the usual anticipation to the 3 hour drive from Renton. Part of the Mount Baker Wilderness, Mount Ann is situated southwest of Mount Shuksan just outside of North Cascades National Park. We arrived at the Mount Baker Ski Area just after 7 a.m. and the mountain scenery began before we left the truck. The road was closed below Artist Point so we parked in the lower lot near Bagley Creek. Introductions were made while we geared up and by 7:45 we were climbing toward Austin Pass with Table Mountain dominating the foreground and the Border Peaks rising behind us. At the pass Mount Ann and Mount Shuksan came into view. The snow surface had just begun to soften so we threw on crampons for the steep decent into Swift Cr..." — Jeb • Jan 26, 2014