Sparks all grins on an island of stone. With the route dead ahead up the ridge it was hard not to be intimidated.
The Pfeif somewhat lost its charm as we approached- turning to a pile of choss. The 30 degree apron slowly steepened and steepened.
Sparks climbin' strong.
Low in the Pfeifferhorn's North Couloir.
Boot packing at its best!
The steep but beautiful couloir pitch. Perhaps as steep as 55 degrees just below Sparks.
A perfect ramp into the void of Hogum.
A short, but fantastic pitch with impeccable granite.
Sparks topping out the tricky rat pitch.
The stegosaurus ridge. Sparks admiring the view.
Onto the upper snowfields. Thunder Ridge and Hypo beyond.
One step for mankind, four steps for Sparks-kind.
The beautiful North Ridge stretching below, struggling on to Hogum Divide.
Sparks topping out. Success! The Power of Positive Real Estate.
Hard to turn down a few turns on the Maybird Headwall. Although climbing with skis was a BAD idea.
Upper Maybird and the Pfeifferhorn. Our route= center photo.
Almost home... tip toeing and rock skiing.
