Too much time spent staring at the Pfiefferhorn and the mind does wander. Before ticking of PLINKO a few weeks ago, I was interested in this little ramp variation that would skirt around the standard rappel route.
So Jim Harris and I headed out to see how it looked.
It was a nice sunny day with very stable avalanche conditions.
Nobody had hit the summit yet, so we put in the booter.
Summit photo!
This was Jim’s virgin trip down the Northwest Couloir (you’ll always remember your first time, mine was several years ago with Ed Arriola and Darrell Finlayson). This was my 5th day on AT gear and the steep turns still felt strange and awkward.
Jim didn’t seem to have any issues at all.
We skied the chute proper and Jim cut over to check out the ramp. He reported that it was probably doable, but very thin snow cover.
We bailed on the variation route and decide to rappel.
Jim set up the rap and noticed some engravings on the rap anchors.
‘Happy Rappy’ and ‘Ski to Die’ were the blessings left by Andrew Mclean when he placed the bolts years ago.
The rap was pretty short, 25ft or so and reminded me of the year when it filled in completely and Dylan Freed skied it without rappelling.
The exit turns started out firm and softened up real nice towards the apron.
Classic line in the Wasatch!
Dunyon- I’m skiing on the Black Diamond Havoc, Dynafit ST binding and a prototype boot from Black Diamond (out next year). I also have some Spirit 4’s from Scarpa that I haven’t skied much yet.
AbeT- Thank you! I try to keep it interesting and I’m planning on an overhaul of the site this summer.
Sorry for the lapse in entries, but I’ve been in AK for 6 weeks, pics and vid to come.
Thanks for the pictures and write up. Yours is one of the few worth reading.
Very nice shots and what a beauty summit pic, well done. What boot/binding combo you rockin with the new AT setup?