Led by Rod Gee and joined by Brad we initially headed to the Valley of Certain Doom intending to do the Happy Doom traverse. The forecast was for 3 – 5 cms and we aborted the Doom part into what I thought should be more appropriately called the Valley of Endless Gnar – a bit reluctant to wander along what looked like suicidal slidepath after suicidal slidepath. We headed up Happy Valley instead toward ridgeline. It started snowing per forecast. BTL had really good snow. TL and alpine we encountered some soft then hard wind slabs (up to 30 cms thick pencil at alpine). Skiing was mixed down from alpine to TL with some breakable crust but new snow adhering well to slab. Skiing was very good down the main face (I called this We Came All Over the Face). Brad and I hit some pillow lines in the interest of group safety and snow testing and all was well.
Sharon navigating HappyValley slidepaths and debris
Snow ptarmigan waiting for curry fry-up
More Shames River navigation
Sharon gracefully makes sketchy river crossings look easy
Lee – not so much grace and finesse
Lee heading up Happy Valley
Lunch-break. Valley of Certain Doom looks more like Valley of Can’t See Squat
Rod Gee dropping into We Came All Over the Face Face
More Rod
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Brad getting down!
Sharon
Rod Gee again
Route out in magenta