April 1-3, 2004, Blackcomb Backcountry

Nine fools started the Spearhead traverse from the top of Blackcomb ski area on the morning of April 1.  Seven skied Mt. Decker south slopes in corn, and we all skied the north and east slopes in powder.  We moved on to the east slopes of Trorey, also good powder, and watched some young bucks with long launchers ski Pattison north side in big new school turns. Camp the first night was below Tremor.  

Next morning we found the Tremor Shudder col a big wind tunnel blowing about 40mph.  I bailed and the others continued on to find wind and sun affected snow the rest of the way except a few nice north facing slopes before Whistler.  On my way back to Blackcomb near the summit of Decker, I met Gerard, a local who'd moved from Paris 30 years ago. We skied a couple nice runs on the north side again before returning to town via Body Bag run in beautiful sunset light on creamed corn.  We joined up the next day for more untracked lines on Decker and out below its west slopes.

April Fools Day video: http://home.comcast.net/~silaswild/skiing/kb040104.mpg and
http://home.comcast.net/~silaswild/skiing/mm040104.mpg