9 days driving, 3 days skiing, many fuel stops and classic diners later we arrived in Haines, AK. Rendezvousing with the rest of our crew from Southwest Colorado within hours of driving into Haines we began scheming our adventure deep into the Coastal Mountains of Alaska.
Flying over the Chillkat range near Haines, AK
Four days of sub par weather allowed us to shuffle through our gear over and over, purchasing more supplies and food. But after seemingly long days of sifting the Fort Seward lodge, the skies cleared and we were geared to go.
Drake making his final approach into base camp
Taking a little advice from our pilot Drake and local Haines skier Will Wacker we headed east over the canal to the upper reaches of the Mead Glacier. On the first scouting flight, a zone was established and our first drop a success. Flying toward the largest mountains on the horizon the zone we were approaching was looking prime time. We set out to establish a legit base camp that would shelter us for the next 10 days. We dug out our camp and set up our tents as dark and cold encroached.
Our fist full day of clear skies allowed us to pursue a towering peak that caught all of our attention on the approach flight. After a most successful and fun ski descent we referred to the line as ‘Proj. A’
Proj A on the right lit by the sun, seen from our approach flight to the Glacier.
Incredible days and stunning evenings. Couldn’t help but feel fortunate to be in Alaska.
Full moon rise over Tito's Couloir
Perfect weather and ideal conditions….
Climbing Proj A
…led to days of skiing incredible lines.
Will Wacker dropping in on Proj A
Setting the trend for the next 4 days we would have the opportunity to ski several impressive lines from camp.
Approaching the Peruvian Face
Long days allowed us to exhaust ourselves hiking and skiing until late in the day.
Third lap of the day on Tito's Coulor
Jo Eppler Skiing Chaz's
After five days of skiing lines throughout the zone, climbing and skiing until our hearts content, the weather moved in and the skiing frenzy came to a halt. Our days became consumed with shoveling out tents, melting snow, and consuming absorbent amounts of food.
Keeping the tents dug out in the 'milk bowl'
When the weather broke after 4 days of intensifying storm we defied the skier within, and called in Drake to escape the glacier back to civilization.
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- Stan drying and sifting through gear
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- Flying over the Chillkat range near Haines, AK
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- Drake making final approach
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- Proj A lit by the sun seen from our flight on to the Glacier.
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- Climbing Proj A
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- Recoiling the rope after crossing the glacier
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- Will Wacker dropping in on Proj A
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- Approaching the Peruvian Face
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- Third lap of the day on Tito’s Coulor
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- Full moon rise over Tito’s Couloir
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- Jo Eppler Skiing Chaz’s
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- Stan approaching the top of Titos
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- Jo Eppler on top of Caroline’s Couloir
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- Returning day one lap on Titos
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- Eppler reaching the top of Chaz’s
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- Turns to camp
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- Keeping the tents dug out in the ‘milk bowl’
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- Taking down the super dome
