The top part of the line in all of its glory. What a place.

For me this time around was a bit of a redemption I suppose. Snow was much better in so many ways this time around. Brittany posted a super in depth report on her site about the trip. It was really just my pleasure to be up there with such a good crew. A day I would certainly like to repeat.

For me the day started with the alarm going off at 1:45 AM for our 2 AM meeting time in the Highlands parking. After some shuffling around we make it up the road and are skinning somewhere in the vicinity of 4 am. A bit later than we would have liked, but hopefully speed will make up for it. Super quick progress is made across the basin and up to the below treeline couloir where we switch to booting. The booting down here is less than ideal and is slightly more time consuming than we would like. After everyone taking their turn we find ourselves back on skins for a few hundred vert up to the amphitheater entrance. We continue skinning on up the amphitheater as light begins to fill the sky.

Switching back to booting it isn’t long before we find ourselves at 13,000 feet at the saddle on the northeast ridge.

Frank leading us towards the light.

Brittany gains the ridge as Matt looks on.

Caleb Finishing off the booter.

I've been testing these Voile Charger skis lately. Very recommended!

A few pictures climbing along the ridge:

The summit came in a fairly reasonable manner.

It’s time to ski. The more northerly aspects provided pow skiing for the first half of the line. No complaints here.

Frank:

Matt:

Brittany:

Yours truly:

The exit couloir:

Admiring the line from below. I'd do it again was the general response.

The line. In all of her Glory. I wish Colorado was full of lines like this, but this will have to do. Poor us.

Til next time.