Spearhead Traverse Variation
I have a long list of classic ski routes that I hope to ski this summer (I’m a list guy…). High on that list was the Spearhead Traverse, from Blackcomb to Whistler. Listed in “Skiing the Coast Range” as one of the best ski tours in North America, I knew that even if it wasn’t the gnar, it wasn’t to be missed. In the year that I’ve lived in Washington State, I’ve spent no time exploring the Whistler area, so I figured that the tour would serve as a spectacular introduction to the ski mountaineering potential of the Coast Range.
Spying a weather window for Friday the 22, I rallied Allen and Mason. Mason, having done the traverse a number of times before, proved invaluable; he had all sorts of local knowledge that helped the day go much more smoothly than it otherwise would have.
The day started at 4am at my house, by 4:30 we’d picked up Mason and were on our way to the border. Unlike our Rogers Pass adventure, we were able to enter Canada without much of a hassle.
We sipped coffee at the mid-station and waited (and waited…) for the final lift to open.
Crowds gathered, some were already donning harnesses and ice screws….
After skiing backcountry around Baker all season, it was a little surreal to start our day on the Blackcomb chairlifts. At the top, as we got ready to hike, the atmosphere was more race-like than that of a normal tour.
Mason suggested we take a slightly lower traverse route to avoid the crowds..
…then he led the way up…
…and back down.
At the next saddle Allen took the lead. By this point the reality of the weather was starting to hit us. North facing slopes were all dry powder, yet the air felt warm and south facing slopes were corn.
With lots of ground still ahead of us, we tried to keep the pace up.
Read about the author: Sam
11 Comments
Lee Lau
wrote on April 26th, 2011 at 2:12 pmAwesome! So many people get sucked into the standard routes – good for you on finding a local to hint at variations.
Greg
wrote on April 26th, 2011 at 3:39 pmThat was great Sam! Let’s see some more on the list!
christian
wrote on April 26th, 2011 at 6:52 pmthat looked pretty fun doods. haute route next?? :D
Lionel Hutz
wrote on April 26th, 2011 at 8:21 pmJust awesome. That’s why we sent you out there in the first place. (Well that and we couldn’t stand the smell around here anymore. )
Anonymous
wrote on April 27th, 2011 at 12:06 pmIs sam the only one that even skis anymore… We’re a little lacking in the trip report department from the east coast contingent. Good hustle though sam, looks fun.
Greg
wrote on April 28th, 2011 at 9:13 amHaven’t had a whole lot to write about besides mellow corn schussings! Might as well let Sam’s awesome TR’s have the floor…
Greg
wrote on April 28th, 2011 at 9:29 amI will also add: Rather than write up Full TRs though, we’ve been posting some single pics from our exploits. They don’t show up in the main feed, but if you check in on our Facebook page, we post them over there. Here’s a few:
http://www.famousinternetskiers.com/?attachment_id=10457
http://www.famousinternetskiers.com/?attachment_id=10440
http://www.famousinternetskiers.com/?attachment_id=10596
hope u enjoy. In the meantime the EC bureau of FIS is really amped up on all the killer PNW content! Keep it coming!
powhounddd
wrote on April 27th, 2011 at 7:40 pmAnonymous?! WTH.
Anyhoo, great TR, really dug the read. Looks like a real challenging traverse to do in a day. Whoa!
Savant Skis
wrote on April 29th, 2011 at 6:58 pmSitting, sulking in a 75 degree house in the Bean……well done fellas looking forward to more diversions over the next months as I wait for the surf to swell again and wonder why I’m not in the PNW. BTW also thanks to the link to Jason Hummel – some great TR there as well………always enjoy the writing and pics-
Brendan
Peter
wrote on April 30th, 2011 at 12:10 pmawesome work guys. That route has been on my life list for a long time.
some year…..
James
wrote on May 7th, 2011 at 11:45 pmSweet trip. Good to see spring is still serving up the hits