Current Wasatch Conditions? Good Climbing, Bad Skiing

Since the early November powderfest in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, the weather has given us nothing but warm and dry conditions. It is rather depressing from a skiing perspective, yet from a climbing perspective, these conditions are wonderful! The snowpack is saddled with a thick sun/rain crust that makes backcountry approaches quite easy; and, the winter routes are in good condition for some enjoyable mixed climbing.

This weekend we hit the North Ridge of the Pfeifferhorn: a Wasatch classic (the sunlit route in the middle-left of the photo). Additional photos at Mountainalbum.com.

We traveled up the Maybird Gulch...

...and began our climb up the northeast couloir.

The couloir maxed out around 55 degrees and had some good mixed climbing.

The remainder of the ridge provided ample bare granite...



...for good hand holds.

At times, the foot holds were a little sugary and exposed...

..but protection was good and we simul-climbed the route.

Nothing like a good glissade down...

...and a nice ski home. Ah, the Wasatch!

If tomorrow's storm bares any fruit, maybe we'll be back to skiing. Pray for snow!

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