With Whom: Cody
Time: 7am to 3:30pm
Ski Conditions: Variable
They say you win some and you lose some. Well, today I would say that we tied.
After a lifetime of staring at the Pfeifferhorn and desiring to ski it, I finally decided to do it just a few weeks ago. Co-workers showed interest at first, but then dropped out for various reasons. I was at the Wasatch Canyons Tomorrow presentation last Thursday and I had decided I was just going to have to wait until next year to ski it. Then I ran into Code-man and Sarah. They wanted to do it on Monday. Yes. I was in.
Sarah ended up dropping out due to school, but Cody and I met at 7am to tackle the Pfeiff. I borrowed some new gear from Petzl so we could get some cool ski mountaineering photos and we were off. It is a long walk in. It was warm (actually, the hottest day of the year so far). We made our way up to the east ridge after some technical skinning sections. While on the ridge we found some rotten snow on the Southeast face. This was a bit disconserting. We pushed on up to the foot of the Pfeifferhorn peak. At this point you have to boot up a steep section of Southeast facing snow to reach the peak. Due to the rotten snow on this aspect and the possibility of a unarrestable slide over cliffs, we decided we had just arrived too late in the season. So we skied the apron instead. It was still fun.
I didn't get any sweet ski mountaineering photos. I didn't get to ski the NW couloir. I didn't get to summit the Pfeiff. Oh, well. I will just have to plan on it in March or April 2010. Who's in?
Gear.
"Skinning" across a bridge.
Code-man looks good even when he is resting.
Pioneer children sang as they walked...
And walked... - Red Pine Lake
And walked... - More "skinning."
And walked... - Finally, the Pfeiff itself. The approach would have been right up that strip of snow closest to the camera.
And walked. - Along the East Ridge.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, some skiing.
Quite enjoyable corn snow was found.
Next year, Mr. Pfeifferhorn. Next year.
You can see our tracks in the far left of the photo.
Yes, next year. Well done nonetheless. On a clear day atop Scotties I found myself looking over at the Pfeiff longingly.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel- I tried for the Hypodermic Needle yesterday and got shut down by the threat of lightning.
ReplyDeleteI'd say it's a good thing you didn't try to go down the northwest couloir of the pfiefferhorn on such a warm day cause the bedrock is rather smooth and produces full depth wet slides like we see in Broads and Stairs. Even a minor wet slide just above the rappel is serious cause the slope angle there is 52 degrees.
I did it in March and it was old stable powder- pretty ideal. Approaching the rappel was kinda scary cause Alex Lowe just had to put the freakin' anchors right at the edge!
Adam, Mark, it is good to hear from the two of you. Yes, I believe we were just too late for this descent. No big deal. We will do it next year. You guys are both welcome to join.
ReplyDeleteMark, sorry I couldn't join you on Nebo last week. I see that you made an attempt at the Needle. Nice. Let me know when you make it back there.
Peace.
Dust
Nice work nonetheless, the Pfeifferhorn does look majestic.
ReplyDeleteHey I've heard No. Cal. has some epic backcountry, the only problem that it is 3 hours away - converted to Jer's travel time 4 hours.