April 11-14, 2008, Spearhead Traverse
4/11/08
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This was our second attempt for the Spearhead Traverse (last Year's here trip report located here).
Since last years trip was planned for Mid Feb, we decided to try mid April this time. We had one guy from New Zealand, 2 from Tahoe, and myself. 2 skiers and 2 splitters. After waiting for a backpack from Alaska airlines to be delievered to my house after they lost it on Thursday night, we were able to get up to Whistler after stopping in Bellingham and poaching gas receipts at Shell for the 2 for 1 tickets. (part of our backup plan). Unfortunately, the blackout dates lasted until this past Sunday - luckily, they give a nice discount to Stevens Pass holders.
To make a long story short, the hot temps on Saturday denied us the opp to start the traverse. Winter had been in full swing up there until Saturday, leaving a ton of huge cornices through the entire route. They had not even seen any Spring activity on much of their slopes. We noticed a ton of sluffing on Friday and knew it would be unsafe to travel.
We hit Decker's summit on Saturday afternoon and had great turns down to the bottom, then traversed to DOA and Body Bag Bowl for the return trip out. Body Bag had a ton of rocks at the entrance, and potatoes in the bowl that were very difficult to turn in.
Sunday we hit the short hike to the summit of Flute and expereinced some great turns off one of the short summit chutes.
Monday was a bad day inbounds, unless you stayed on the groomers. Around 330 it started to get some sun and we rode a breakless Peak to Creek followed by a few laps on Red with no one else on the slopes. Never rode so much vert in one season on chairs like I did this year.
2 of the people stayed behind as we left on Tuesday morning and got a good window to hit it. Will post a report once they return.
The 3 hour delay on the Sea to Sky Highway yesterday really sucked.
Photos coming soon
Since last years trip was planned for Mid Feb, we decided to try mid April this time. We had one guy from New Zealand, 2 from Tahoe, and myself. 2 skiers and 2 splitters. After waiting for a backpack from Alaska airlines to be delievered to my house after they lost it on Thursday night, we were able to get up to Whistler after stopping in Bellingham and poaching gas receipts at Shell for the 2 for 1 tickets. (part of our backup plan). Unfortunately, the blackout dates lasted until this past Sunday - luckily, they give a nice discount to Stevens Pass holders.
To make a long story short, the hot temps on Saturday denied us the opp to start the traverse. Winter had been in full swing up there until Saturday, leaving a ton of huge cornices through the entire route. They had not even seen any Spring activity on much of their slopes. We noticed a ton of sluffing on Friday and knew it would be unsafe to travel.
We hit Decker's summit on Saturday afternoon and had great turns down to the bottom, then traversed to DOA and Body Bag Bowl for the return trip out. Body Bag had a ton of rocks at the entrance, and potatoes in the bowl that were very difficult to turn in.
Sunday we hit the short hike to the summit of Flute and expereinced some great turns off one of the short summit chutes.
Monday was a bad day inbounds, unless you stayed on the groomers. Around 330 it started to get some sun and we rode a breakless Peak to Creek followed by a few laps on Red with no one else on the slopes. Never rode so much vert in one season on chairs like I did this year.
2 of the people stayed behind as we left on Tuesday morning and got a good window to hit it. Will post a report once they return.
The 3 hour delay on the Sea to Sky Highway yesterday really sucked.
Photos coming soon
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