Topo map of our camps, routes traveled and lines skied.
We came looking for couloirs and we found couloirs! This steep narrow needle of snow was right above camp taunting us, so we climbed and skied it first.
Here we are at the top of this 3K foot beauty where the slope exceeded 50 degrees. Not a bad warm-up run!
There were few times where we could climb high enough for the Revelations to fully reveal themselves. The top of this chute made it clear we would have plenty to ski for the next 10 days.
All smiles, while we changed over for the descent! It was a surreal moment to finally be in the heart of this mysterious range I've been wanting to explore for many years now.
The turns were variable as they often are, but it's more about the location and aesthetics.
We named it 'Alpha' since it was our first descent of the trip and Jim's first time ever skiing in AK. Not a bad way to start Jim! Here he is ripping up the apron.
Exploring the upper reaches of the valley. Our camp is in down in the rocky moraine on the left near the tip of the shadow.
The valley is mostly lined with vertical rock with the occasional cleft that will hold snow. We explored this 'little' guy in the afternoon of our second day.
Jim and I on the descent of 'Missionary Style'. The snowpack was half that of normal and many of the lines had exposed ice. You can see a sizable patch in the upper right corner against the rock.
Yes, we were there to ski steep terrain and tick off first descents, but we all expressed that the overall exploration and experience is the real prize.
Courtney Phillips skins by what would be classics with a few more feet of snow.
Topo maps and google earth were of little help, to see what is really there we had to skin up each finger of the range and see for ourselves.
Andrew McLean working his way through the glacier.
After several days in the upper arm we received 20 inches of new snow. Seemed like a good time to move camp and let the snow stabilize. Traveling through the deep powder and rocky terrain was slow and painful.
Terrain became too difficult to tow a sled and we hauled multiple trips through a mess of rock and snow.
Wrapping around into the 2nd finger we found a great spot to call home. The upper seracs provided continuous entertainment in the form of avalanches.
Still shy of the steeper slopes coated in 2 feet of new snow we opted for some mellow pow and in the upper headwall of the first finger.
Skied similar to Wasatch powder.
Alright enough mellow pow skipping let's get back to the business.
This line was over 4,000 feet out of camp and held good snow for most of the route.
Not much to say here except that I can't wait to go back.
Jim descending into the clouds on the line we dubbed 'Shroud of Turnin'. The peaks that have been named in this range are mostly biblically related. We tried to stick with that theme in the naming of our descents.
Jim skiing the upper hanging face which was exposed to several thousand feet of cliff.
Returning back to camp with 'Shroud of Turnin' in the background on the right. The line works off the pyramid summit towards the broken glacier and down the apron.
Hors d'oeuvres served promptly after our return.
Celebrating good times! We toured far from home to explore the 3rd finger and skied the gunsight notch in the background.
Andrew puts in the booter up 'Omega', our final chute of the trip.
Working through the corniced top of this 4,000ft classic.
Jim working the turns in funky conditions.
Up close and personal with Jim Harris.
There were many moments, and this was one, where you would catch yourself smiling at the wonderful absurdity of where we were, and what we were doing here.
Hop and hope!
Somehow I always end up in this position. Hmmmm....left or right?
Jim enjoying some sun and snacks before we head back to camp.
Our time was coming to a close so we cached our heavy gear and skied out to the hunting lodge. Rob Jones was planning to fly in and pick up what we didn't feel like dragging out.
The exodus was a rugged and scenic way to decompress from the immensity of this dreamland.
Switching from skis to trail shoes.
Plenty of stream crossings.
Followed by frozen otherworldly landscapes.
Jim doing the 'ants in the pants', or is it the 'epileptic twist'. Thanks Gnarwhale!
This could be the top trailbreaking duo on the planet! Heading back to syphilization, Courtney Phillips makes love to the camera with his eyes, while Andrew displays that certain look that comes from spending 2 weeks deep in Alaska's bush. Thanks fella's!
