26 March, 2012

Mount Currie - Pencil Chute

The importance of a strong group of partners cannot be overemphasized enough.  As the years go by, the groups and people I ski with is always refined, which leads to better skiing and bigger epic days.  There is less to no waiting, well broken skin tracks, decision making is smooth and fluid, and each person in the group can be trusted, all creating a stronger group overall.  The past two days, skiing Million Dollar Couloir, Rock And Roll, Matier N Face, and Slalok's Stonecrop Face in ridiculously deep snow emphasized that point yet again.  A strong group of skiers and all stoked to get out after it, was a pleasure to rip around with, and made me realize the luck that I've had with partners both new and old.  (Photo Below:  Veronika Vackova checking out Mt Curries North Face on the heli lift up)
Today, yet another leisurely day out, Ross Berg and I carpooled up from Squamish to Pemberton, and were in a helicopter in no more than 2 minutes after stepping out of the car with Lars Andrews, Christina Lusti, and Veronika Vackova again.  The goal for the day, ski the ultra classic Mt Currie North Face via the Pencil Couloir, continuing in our search for faceshots and epic snow.  
(Photo Above:  Veronika Vackova cruising the bootpack after a heli-schnoodle)
We bailed out of the helicopter and skied a quick powder run to the backside of Currie.  Heading straight up, we bootpacked up a steep gully right before the sun hit it hard and transitioned to skins to choose the best option for ski quality, with our summits and lines from the previous days on the horizon reminding us of the treasures below.

(Photo Above:  Lars Andrews and Christina Lusti at the entrance to the Pencil)

Mt Currie hosts a number of classic descents, and is featured in Chris Davenports "50 Classic Ski Descents of North America" coffee table book (check out the book for a quick blurb and photos from yours truly).  The lines on the North Face are The Pencil Couloir, Diagonal Couloir, The Y Couloir, Zorro's, Pterodactyl Spine, and a number of different variations to each, all diving into the massive avalanche paths below them and continuing into the valley for a massive 2000m+ ski descent.
(Photo Above:  Lars Andrews dropping into the Pencil Chute in the best quality snow you could ask for)
Mt Currie hosts a number of classic descents, and is featured in Chris Davenports "50 Classic Ski Descents of North America" coffee table book (check out the book for a quick blurb and photos from yours truly).  The lines on the North Face are The Pencil Couloir, Diagonal Couloir, The Y Couloir, Zorro's, Pterodactyl Spine, and a number of different variations to each, all diving into the massive avalanche paths below them and continuing into the valley for a massive 2000m+ ski descent.
(Photo Above:  Midway through the Pencil Chute)
Our choice for the day?  The Pencil Couloir, and yet again, blower pow, faceshots at every turn, and amazing conditions to around 200m above the valley.  The Couloir itself isn't extreme or crazy steep as the reputation it sometimes gets, but it is aesthetic, and extremely high value when dropping into it looking down at the Pemberton Valley below while skiing through it's ominous avalanche paths.  It allows skiers to really open up, through high speed GS/SuperG turns, and really enjoy the descent.  
(Photo Above:  Mt Currie North Face from the valley bottom)

We finished our day by noon, and were off to drink coffee and recover for working in the mountains for the next while.  A true classic, and so civilized to finish one of the Continents Classics before lunch after only 3 hours!  Great group, strong skiers, awesome times, what else could you ask for?  

12 comments:

  1. That picture of Lars is sweet.

    "The Couloir itself isn't extreme or crazy steep as the reputation it sometimes gets, but it is aesthetic"

    There you go again telling it like it is and not descending into rad-gnar hyperbole. Well written!

    Lee

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  2. Hey,

    Nice pics and sweet line.

    Between your site, Lee's and some of TRs over on TGR my list of objectives keeps growing. Keep it up!

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  3. Thanks guys! Great day, great snow, and finally some sun to shoot photos. See you out in the mountains.

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  4. Ah. That was you that flew over us. We were initially going to go ski the Pencil chute, but after seeing your heli scope it out we bailed and went for something else. That is a very aesthetic line though.
    Do you have a picture with all the lines on Currie? I'm trying to figure out what we skied.
    thanks,
    - "the other" Alex

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  5. Hey Alex,

    I don't have a good photo with all the lines, I'm going to shoot one next time I'm flying in the area or on a clear morning, I'll post it when I can with the marked lines. Glad you still skied something cool, snow was too epic to miss!

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  6. I think we skied the bottom 2/3s of Zorro's. It was quite the aesthetic line too, and a very nice surprise. I only assume it's Zorro's because it makes a very distinctive Zed. Would I be correct?
    http://skisickness.com/post/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=344

    Saw that you just recovered from an injury also. Good luck getting back out there.

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  7. Rad! Nice TR post, looks like you guys had a great day too! I believe it is Zorro's as of the Zed it creates, but who knows there could be some other funny halloween type story with it too.

    As for the injury, yep getting after it, just dealing with the pain and trying to physio whenever possible, thanks for the comments!

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  8. Ski guides are always using heli's to snake honest, 'by fair means' ski tourers. Naughty naughty . . . :)

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  9. T-dawg I agree, however I always it's either fair means but if someone offers a heli ride for free, I can't say no! Naughty Naugthy...

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  10. I'm just pissed, because I wasn't invited . . . ha! And yes, I've been known to accept free heli rides as well.

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  11. Good pics Alex and looked like epic snow. To get out at the very bottom, where is the bridge over the river?
    And I second the last line Lee wrote above ;)

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  12. Awesome pictures! :) What a perfect location to ski. Next time around, you might want to stay in luxury chalets too? If you decide to do so, please share your experience to your avid readers.

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