Confidence

Confidence is a double edged sword in regards to backcountry travel. In one way it allows you to get more done because you move forward confidently and push upwards when others may turn back. But it must also be tempered with lots of self-analysis otherwise it can lead you into dangerous terrain.

I understand that I have a lot of confidence and have accomplished many things because of it but I always try to watch my actions and analyze them from a distant perspective.

In the morning the avalanche report said high hazard so we decided to proceed with caution. I imagined myself touring up through the trees and thought to keep us always in the protection of the large trees. But when we got out to the fingers I saw that most of the avalanche paths had run to mid path over night. This it seemed was an indication that the snow load had already fallen and that perhaps it was somewhat safe in the open path. So instead of the safest way up I thought I would push the skin track out a bit more. Which exposed us longer to overhead hazards. Not for the entire up but for longer than we needed to. It worked out and we all skinned to where we needed to be.

But in retrospect why expose when there really is no need. Always stay a little scared and follow the rules. Use every trick to keep the scales balanced on the side of safety and you will get far more days out in the backcountry. Be wary of confidence as it can breed complacency.

A decent day with some good powder skiing. Though it was a little upside down because the snow had fallen could and then a warmer , more dense layer landed on top of it. But all in all good skiing.

Day 22 done 78 to go.

Youngs peak

A great day to be solo in Rogers pass. It hasn’t snowed for five days so the skin track we put up Glacier crest was in. I followed it up to the summit of the Crest and skied a great chute down to the lower bench. I was a little worried that the sun would have affected my desired line, but the chute turned towards the west enough that I had knee deep turns the whole way down.

I then toured a quick 1000 feet up to catch a direct line down towards the mouse trap. On the way down I noticed some people going to the summit of Youngs peak, so I turned my tips upwards and followed their track up to the summit of Young’s. I have never really liked the approach from this side, the final headwall is very intimidating. 40+ degrees for 700 feet. The slope towers above while you are tediously breaking trail upwards. I have summitted Youngs peak 15 times and only twice from this side. But considering the conditions and the fact that the track was in, I followed their trail to the summit. Once there I turned and skied a direct glacial line down into the valley. Some wind affect in the upper pitches but nicer powder lower down.

Then I hit the skin track that wound its way up to the dome. Following it I couldn’t help but notice how great the snow was on this side of the valley. Protected and north facing this snow was cold and deep. It had settled in the last five days but was still decent. I followed the trail up to the top of the dome, chatted with some friends and then skied a great line home.

Day 21 11 220 feet, green is up track and pink descent