Iago West face

[ziff]

With a solid, but cold forecast, Jake and I headed out to ski the lovely west face of Iago. The plan was to be on top between 2-3 pm so that we could see as we descended. I like it when things go according to plan (Note: photos taken with my iPhone, which, as it turns out, is a shitty substitute for a camera!)

Very, very dangerous. jake, how bout you going first?


As we crossed the slope below Overlord, our objective was in full view!

mmmmm


Arriving at the Fitzsimmons-Benvolio Col, we had a brief chat about the time and it did not take long to decide that Iago was still the goal. South facing powder was a nice side benefit as well.

Jake, about to pick up some speed.


The skin up the south side of Iago was lovely and finding a nice little notch to gain the ridge allowed us to avoid a less than happy slope.



Things got spicy on the summit ridge due to windblown icy conditions but the bootpacking was fine. Just needed to stay away from the cornices.

Jake, approaching the boot section of the summit.


Ah, why we ventured this far. Sky's instructions got us to the main feature of the west face. Lots of sluff management for the first half and then higher speed fun in the lower half where we found very deep snow.

What a line! Jake visible at the top.


A short climb up out of the valley through unconsolidated loose powder on top of a crust proved more difficult than anticipated, but as we got higher, things got easier.

As we crossed our last glacier of the day, we were greeted to a great light show.

So many mountains...


Whirlwind summit at 5pm, and then more high speed powder to the top of Cowboy Ridge.

Jake approaching the summit of Whirlwind.


Singing pass was smooth and fast and beers and poutine at the Longhorn tasted great!

[skykilo]

I saw you crossing below Overlord from Tremor. Iago must have been splendid. Mind if I edit this and put smaller sized versions of your pictures inline?

[ziff]

It was indeed splendid. Amazing you could see us...looking forward to your TR. And yes, please edit my TR. I could not figure out how to get the images to be in place. Not that they are that great anyway!

[Condor]

Pictures don't do the day justice. What an amazing line. Hard to believe that such an adventure can be had so close to civilization.

[skykilo]

The software should display smaller images for attachments, but these might have been too big.

It sure was a nice day. That was probably the perfect line for it. It really seems to hold the pow. Smaller peak tucked in there a bit sheltered from the wind, plus Fitzsimmons keeps that west aspect from getting the afternoon sun it would receive otherwise.

So you tagged Whirlwind for a second summit? Might I recommend Fitzsimmons or Macbeth next time? Skiing steep slopes with daylight is overrated.

[ziff]

We had planned on fissile. Oh well, next time. Now that I know this headlamp skiing (especially with some of the new bright ones) is actually just as fun, days blending into nights has a lot of appeal.

[Alex]

Daylight is over-rated. But it seems more pleasant to ski stuff without emotional meltdowns and with more than 10 feet of vis.
Nice TR Ziff.

[ziff]

thanks alex. but 10 feet? my new headlamp (200 lumens) has a 95m beam.

[Alex]

It was snowing... and windy. And I tend to use my old transceiver batteries in my headlamp for a year or so. I think that could have something to do with it.
Glowsticks might be more effective.

[Atraslin]

Nice line.