SkiSickness

The cross-post police will get me on this TR, but who cares. The indefatigable Dan H. and Scott M. and I skied/rode the Coleman Headwall, pursuant to a TR from the Hummel/Traslin descent a few weeks ago. It was actually only by chance that Dan joined Scott and me. Over beer and burgers and fish tacos, we put together a plan to ski the headwall down the gullet on Sunday. Prior to that chance enounter, Scott and I had wallowed, hemmed, and hawed atop the headwall in overly ripe conditions, and bailed off west. Dan is a good harbinger for successful descents, which held true this time. Scott did a fantastic job on the board (obviously, he's still alive). Maybe the first time the headwall has been ridden?

It would have assuaged my anxiety to climb this route prior to actually skiing it. However, we were able to find a route down, just barely. Any more exposed ice than what we found, we would have been booting back up to the top in an exposed setting. Still, it's pretty cool to be skiing such a face this late into summer. This headwall is certainly worth the price of admission, and worthy of more descents in the future. The central to climber's left looks to be a great descent...for next spring!

The masterpiece.


A little weather to set the mood.




From the summit, Dan clearing the way for Scott and me with good descent Karma.




In his element.






Scott staying afloat.


Good thing Dan is around for the rest of us sinners.

Very nice TR. And I've let yet another year pass without skiing that. Haven't seen any x-post police 'round here as of yet.

Little less snow.Looks like you guys went for it and took the direct line.

I want to ski that line. Cool pictures. Think it will be in around the 1st august still?

It may have quite a bit more exposed ice and gaping schrunds by August 1st, but you'd be able to easily scout that from close to the parking lot.