March 2012

March should be an even better month than February, but for some reason that I can't recall it didn't work out like that, and March saw only 4 backcountry trips. Pitiful. What March did offer above and beyond February was snow quality, and all of the March trips had pow in abundance. Early in March Andy and I went to the Duffy and skied some lines of Rohr Ridge. The terrain is Ok and the access not too difficult, but somehow these lines just don't seem quite such good value compared to all the zones on the opposite side of the highway. Still fun thou.

Andy and Joffre in the Background

A possible line into Stellar Bowl

Looking back at Stellar Bowl

The next week Runar and I attempted to summit Metal Dome in the Callaghan.  Long story short we got completely lost, spent ages trying to skin up a bunch of gnarly pillows, and ended up turning around not long after breaking out of the tree line.  A good learning experience thou and we spied sweet terrain for a return visit.

The 3rd trip in March took us to Steep Creek, which was quite simply outstanding.  I need not write about it, just watch this video and believe me when I say we had a really awesome day.  Possibly my best days touring ever.... (so far...)

The final trip of March was a return visit to Metal Dome.  We still didn't take the best route to the summit so it took a little longer than it should have, but its still hard to shake the feeling the Callaghan trips are just that much less good value than Duffy trips, probably due to the lower starting elevation.  Still, this was another great day, and although Runar disagrees, I think I would still go back for another visit.