May 26, 2003, Silver Star Mountain

Climbed Silver Star mountain through Silver Star creek basin. We slept at the trailhead on SR20 (3400 feet). We left at 4:45 am, were first afraid that we would have to bushwak our way up as no trail is mentioned in Rainer Burgdofer's book. About 30 yards EAST of the creek we found a really good climbers trail that we followed up to 5000 feet to the flat section. There we put the skis on and crossed the creek, went up a steep section (wide gully) to the west to about 6400 feet before traversing EAST again. From there we got amazing views on the summits around us. The summit slope is separated by 3 huge granite ribs into 4 couloirs. We went up the couloir furthest to the EAST which seemed to be the mellowest and proceeded to the pass (8600 feet). There we put our crampons on and went up to the summit which lies just a little east (8800 feet -10:30 am). We descended through the 3rd couloir from the east in perferct corn snow conditions...this was one of my best ski descents this year. After that we skied pretty much the same route as the ascent to 4600 feet. Hiked back to the car for 45 minutes from there.

For soem pictures: http://michael.trommsdorff.org